100 Years of Turbocharger – Porsche, Driving Force in Development
The very concept of turbocharger technology is linked inseparably with the name Porsche and the Porsche brand. It was back in October 1974 that the German sports car manufacturer from Stuttgart launched the world’s first series production sports car with an exhaust gas turbocharger. And ever since, every new generation of the Porsche 911 Turbo has fascinated enthusiasts the world over with a special highlight in technology: the intercooler, bi-turbo, VarioCam Plus, as well as the title “Cleanest Car in the World” have all set the benchmark in turbocharger development. Now the highlight of the next generation of the Porsche Turbo is spelt out clearly in three powerful letters: VTG.
Introducing the new model, Porsche will be presenting the world’s first turbocharged gasoline engine with variable turbine geometry (VTG). This technology featured in turbocharged diesels since the '90s ensures a significant improvement of engine flexibility and acceleration particularly at low engine speeds. So far, however, much higher exhaust gas temperature of up to 1000° C in comparison with the turbocharged diesel has always proved to be an insurmountable barrier. But now Porsche has solved this problem in close cooperation with Borg Warner Turbo Systems by using high temperature-resistant materials from space technology wherever required.
The core features of the VTG system are the variable turbine blades guiding the flow of exhaust gas from the engine in exactly the direction required on to the turbine wheel of the exhaust gas turbocharger. The principle of variable turbine geometry thus combines the benefits of a small and large exhaust gas turbocharger all in one – a combination ensuring both very good response and high torque at low engine speeds as well as superior output and high performance at high speeds. And the supreme level of torque is now maintained consistently throughout a much wider speed range.
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