Crazy Engine Idea Involves Using One Turbo Per Cylinder
A former engineer at Ford has an idea on how to revolutionize a gasoline engine.
Jim Clarke, who is responsible for several engine developments at Ford including the modular V8 and Duratec V6, has imagined a new engine idea that could change everything. That is, if automakers actually wanted to invest into gasoline engines and not electrification. The idea comes from Clarke and his technical partner, Dick Fotsch, who is a past president of engine divisions at Navistar and Kohler.
Their idea centers around the idea of “synergistic induction and turbocharging,” and starts with placing individual throttles right next to the cylinder head. The configuration would allow each cylinder to fill much more quickly, rapidly generating full torque.
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But what makes the idea more extreme is an individual turbo being used for each cylinder, placed as close as possible to the exhaust valves. “The closer you put a turbocharger to the exhaust valve, the more energy reaches the turbine to accelerate it,” Clarke explained to Car and Driver. And by using smaller turbos that have less rotational inertia, they would spool up quicker helping eliminate lag.
For now, the idea is just that – an idea. It’s entirely just a theory at the moment and there has been no prototype built or tested. Realistically, the question is whether automakers even care to invest into a next-generation conventional engine, or if electrification is truly the way of the future.
[Source: Car and Driver]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Yeah a flat twin with a turbo on each side would be a good idea.
Throttle body in each cylinder is been used for ages in motorcycles, nothing new