US to Turn to Small Turbo Engines

The idea of downsizing engines has been around for a while in Europe. So people can enjoy a 1.4 liter engine which produces more that 170 hp, while benefiting from low fuel consumption, low CO2 emissions and, therefore, low government tax. Now it seems that this trend will also spread to more conservative car markets, like the US, says just-auto.com.

"Over the next 10 years, this mega trend will see average engine displacement in the US reduce from 3.6-litres to 2.9-litres, moving from V8 and V6 engines to four cylinders - a major reflection of this trend being high volume growth in smaller, four-cylinder turbocharged passenger cars of around 1.4-litres,” said President and CEO of Honeywell Transportation Systems, Alex Ismail.

"As the world's leading turbo manufacturer, we are well positioned to benefit from the move, which will help drive greater energy efficiency and reduced emissions in the auto industry," he added.

Honeywell believes the new technology will fit the US market, especially as Chevrolet launched the new Cruze model equipped with a 1.4 liter engine which uses the supplier's latest petrol turbocharger technology built for small petrol engines.

The turbo growth in the United States is also strongly linked to the CAFE standards which state that all automakers must have a fuel economy improvement of around 40% in light vehicles by 2016. Considering the current situation, the turbo market share is expected to grow from 9% in 2009 up to 25% in 2014.