Honeywell Turbocharges the New VW Polo BlueMotion

Nowadays downsizing is everything. Cars need to be more fuel efficient, while drivers won’t settle for less power, so turbocharging seems to be the only way to achieve that. Honeywell, the leading automotive turbocharger developer in the world, just announced that its technology will be featured on the new Polo BlueMotion.

The BlueMotion, which is supposed to be the world’s most fuel efficient five seater passenger car, is powered by a 1.2 liter diesel. The new generation Polo is bigger and 18% heavier than its predecessor and its engine is 15% smaller, but with boost from Honeywell's latest Euro5 VNT(TM) (Variable Nozzle Turbine) turbo, the car is delivering comparable power and torque ratings along with industry-leading fuel economy. The prior Polo BlueMotion was powered by a 1.4 liter diesel engine.

"With the arrival of the new Polo, there is compelling evidence that engine downsizing is taking hold and that enhanced turbocharging solutions, such as Honeywell's new generation of small VNTs, will increasingly be featured in smaller vehicle segments," says Alex Ismail, President & CEO of Honeywell Transportation Systems.

Small turbocharged engines seem to be the way of the future even for the American market as recently illustrated at the Detroit Motor Show, where two Honeywell-boosted 1.4L gasoline - GM's Chevy Cruse and the Chrysler/Fiat MultiAir - were appreciated by the public for their economy and performance.

According to recent studies, 50% of all turbocharged engines will be 1.7 liters or smaller by 2014, as compared to 35% in 2009.