Mercedes-AMG plans a new electric turbocharger, inspired by Formula One cars

Mercedes-AMG has announced that it is working on a new generation electric turbocharger for its future models. The company said the initiative is part of the company’s move towards electrification of its fleet of vehicles. The electric turbocharge technology is usually used by the company for its Formula One cars driven by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. Now, once successful, the new technology will make way into Mercedes’ passenger vehicles as well.

The company said that it has already reached the final stages of development of the electric exhaust gas turbocharger. Developed in partnership with Garrett Motion, this technology resolves the conflicting goals between a small, fast-reacting turbocharger which achieves relatively low peak performance and a large turbocharger with a high peak performance but which on the other hand can suffer from turbo lag.

The highlight of this innovative turbocharging system is a slim electric motor, measuring about 4 centimetres, which is integrated directly on the charger shaft between the turbine wheel on the exhaust side and the compressor wheel on the fresh air side. This electronically controlled electric motor drives the compressor wheel before this accepts the exhaust gas flow. The electrification of the turbocharger significantly improves immediate response from idle speed and across the entire engine speed range.

The so-called turbo lag – the delayed response of a conventional turbocharger – is eliminated by the electric motor. The result is that the combustion engine responds even more spontaneously to accelerator pedal input, and the entire driving feel is significantly more dynamic and agile. In addition, electrification of the turbocharger enables higher torque at low engine speeds, which also enhances agility and optimises acceleration capability from a standstill. Even when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator or applies the brakes, the technology of the electric turbocharger is able to maintain the boost pressure at all times, so that a continuous direct response is guaranteed.

"We have clearly defined our goals for an electrified future. In order to reach them, we are relying on discrete and highly innovative components as well as assemblies. With this move we are strategically 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 of agility", explains Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The turbocharger achieves speeds of up to 170,000 rpm, which enables a very high rate of air flow. It can be operated via a 48-volt on-board electrical system. The turbocharger, electric motor and power electronics are connected to the combustion engine's cooling circuit to create an optimum temperature environment at all times.