Honeywell, the leading global developer of automotive turbochargers, debuted its newest TwoStage Variable Nozzle Turbine (VNT) turbocharger system for diesel engines at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) offering auto makers even more flexibility in improving fuel economy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Honeywell’s VNT technology uses a row of pivoting vanes that move to continuously match the turbine flow capacity to the actual exhaust flow and drive the compressor to deliver the exact boost requirements that the engine needs. The development of a TwoStage Series Sequential system, using VNT turbochargers for both the high pressure  and low pressure stages,  demand strong competencies in performance modeling, aerodynamics, heat transfer, material science, mechatronics and control. Together these sciences and system design deliver exceptional low end torque, transient and steady-state performance at class leading fuel economy and meet the stringent CO2 targets of Euro 6.2 regulations when coupled to a modern after treatment system.

Honeywell is using two different size VNT turbos in its most recent TwoStage system for the new BMW 4-cylinder diesel engine in the 125d, X1 2.5d and 225d. In this application, two variable geometry turbos are located above and below the exhaust manifold. The smaller high-pressure turbo is mounted on top and larger low-pressure turbo below. The combination creates new levels of responsiveness at all speeds and helps the engine perform more efficiently to improve mileage and emission control.

“With its versatility in range and ever-improving capabilities, VNT will remain the leading turbo technology for diesel engines for the foreseeable future,” said Craig Balis, chief technology officer for Honeywell Transportation Systems. “Five product generations later, Honeywell has shipped nearly 60 million VNT turbos worldwide and introduced many innovations that have gone on to become benchmark features of modern turbocharger products. It’s clear that the technology has a great future ahead of it, particularly with ongoing advances in aerodynamics, bearing systems and materials science.”

Honeywell is celebrating its 25th anniversary of gasoline VNT technology and the 20th anniversary of mass production diesel VNT in passenger cars. This trademarked technology has changed an industry and helped enable the modern diesel powertrains that we drive today. Honeywell’s fifth generation VNT technology delivers benchmark transient response, low-speed efficiency, reliability, weight savings and packaging flexibility.