Mercedes-AMG Reveals New Turbocharger Technology

Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division says it is developing a new electrically assisted exhaust-gas turbocharger that it says will appear on its next generation of models.

Claimed to draw on technology originally developed by Mercedes-AMG’s High Performance Powertrain division for the German automaker’s Formula 1 race car engine, it is planned to replace the conventional exhaust-gas turbochargers now used by AMG on both its 2.0L 4-cyl. and 4.0L V-8 gasoline engines.

Described as being in the final stages of development, the new turbocharger has been designed and engineered in cooperation with Garrett Motion and differs in design and operation from the electrically assisted turbocharger used on AMG’s 3.0L 6-cyl. 53 models.

According to Mercedes-AMG, the new system uses a compact electric motor integrated on the turbocharger shaft, between the compressor wheel on the fresh-air side and the turbine wheel on the exhaust side, to boost induction.

The electric motor, which is operated via a 48V electrical system, drives the compressor wheel prior to the introduction of exhaust-gas flow in a process aimed at eliminating turbo lag.

Mercedes-AMG says its new turbocharger can operate at up to 170,000 rpm – in the process providing a higher rate of airflow than with its existing turbocharging technology.

The new turbocharger, electric motor and power electronics system are connected to the combustion engine’s cooling circuit.

“We have clearly defined our goals for an electrified future,” outgoing AMG chairman Tobias Moers says.

“With this move, we are supplementing our modular technology and tailoring it to our performance requirements. In a first step this includes the electrified turbocharger – an example of the transfer of Formula 1 technology to the road, something with which we will take turbocharged combustion engines to a previously unattainable level.”

While it has not yet revealed further technical information about the new system, Mercedes-AMG says the new electric-assisted exhaust-gas turbocharger “significantly improves response from idle speed, as well as across the entire engine speed range.”

Additionally, it claims the new turbocharger enables higher torque at lower engine speeds, leading to what it describes as “optimized acceleration capability from standstill and enhanced agility.”

Mercedes-AMG turbocharger diagram