Honeywell Set to Launch 15 New Turbo Technologies in 2010

Honeywell will launch 15 new technologies and boost over 100 new engine platforms in 2010, confirming its position as the world’s leading turbo technology partner for OEMs, whether for diesel and gasoline passenger cars, on-highway trucks or off-highway vehicles.

“We are living through the fastest rate of change in over 15 years,” says David Paja, Vice President, Global Marketing for Honeywell Turbo Technologies. “The evolution of turbo technology is accelerating and today OEMs are counting more on advanced and tailored turbocharging solutions than ever before to achieve the conflicting goals of lower emissions, higher fuel efficiency and responsive vehicles that are fun to drive.”

Currently hitting the headlines at the Geneva Motor Show are the VW Polo 1.2L BlueMotion diesel car – the most fuel efficient 5-seater in the world, equipped with the latest generation of Honeywell’s iconic small VNT(TM) diesel turbo – and the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, the very first turbocharged full hybrid, boosted by Honeywell’s latest gasoline turbos and incorporating new advances in materials, bearings and aerodynamics.

In the U.S., Honeywell is preparing the launch of a groundbreaking engine boosting system for new Ford F350 US pick-ups – the VNT(TM) DualBoost, which incorporates a new aerodynamic concept of two back-to-back compressor wheels within a single housing. It is also the world’s first application of ball bearing technology in a mainstream Light Vehicle diesel engine.

In addition, Honeywell will be announcing many more technological developments in the year ahead, including the introduction across Europe, Japan and the US of its brand-new VNT(TM) product family for commercial vehicle applications, with unique performance, reliability and engine-braking capabilities, together with tailored off-highway solutions to meet the new Tier4 interim emission standards.

This global success is being achieved as a result of Honeywell’s ongoing and increasing investment in its worldwide engineering network, which includes a centre of excellence recently opened in Brno in the Czech Republic. In Brno alone, a multi-million dollar research and development program is helping turbo engineers push the boundaries of boosting technologies, while leveraging synergy across the entire Honeywell community of 750 engineers in key areas such as sensing and control, aerodynamics, materials..

“Through substantial investments in innovation, maintained during the industry downturn, Honeywell is quickening the development of turbo technologies and reducing the time-to-market by up to 50%,” says David Paja. “As a result of this, OEMs are better able to compete effectively in an environment increasingly dominated by multi-region emissions and fuel efficiency regulations.”