Audi will produce a super high-efficient electric bi-turbo diesel engine. In this future technology, a secondary compressor boosts the main turbocharger at lower engine speeds.

Audi has announced they are testing an electric bi-turbo diesel engine.

The latest bi-turbo diesel from Audi is the 3.0 Bi-TDI. It develops 313HP (230 kW) and 650Nm (480 lb-ft) at just 1450RPM. This is a specific power output of 106HP (78 kW) per liter displacement. However, its combined fuel consumption in the A6 is only 6.4 / 100 km (36.75 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 169 g/km.


A new development stage is the electric biturbo. This makes it possible - independently of the exhaust energy available - to build up charge pressure quickly and achieve high levels of torque even at very low revs.

In advanced diesel development at Audi's site in Neckarsulm, a 3.0 V6 TDI was built and calibrated with an electric biturbo. It is a combination of a conventional gas-driven turbocharger with a secondary electrically driven compressor - whose exterior appearance is almost identical to that of a conventional turbocharger.

Instead of a turbine wheel driven by the exhaust gas stream, this is an auxiliary charging stage arranged in line with the gas-driven turbocharger. It integrates a small electric motor that can accelerate its turbine to very high speeds in an extremely short time. The electrically driven compressor is placed after the main turbocharger and intercooler in the charge air path. In most operating states, the charge air is routed around it via a bypass. However, when the flap integrated in the bypass closes - i.e. when the main turbocharger's energy output is low - the air is directed into the electric compressor and is compressed there a second time.


The energy required to drive the electric compressor is largely offset by battery regeneration during coasting phases, so that the end effect is essentially neutrall with regard to energy consumption.


Source: Audi