Raising the bar on SI engine efficiency

Highly boosted gasoline engines with 13:1 compression ratio? BorgWarner is tackling gasoline-engine pumping losses and finding many fuel-efficiency benefits as a result. VP of Advanced Engine Engineering Chris Thomas reveals the methodology-and more.

Those who are not yet convinced that significant efficiencies can still be unlocked in spark-ignited four-stroke engines should talk to Chris Thomas. BorgWarner's Vice President of Advanced Engineering, Engines, points to newly revealed technology solutions aimed at extending the gasoline ICE's reign as the industry's highest value and an increasingly “green” power unit.

One such solution, Valve-Event-Modulated Boost (VEMB), is demonstrating considerable capability to reduce pumping losses, along with other benefits. It's an example of Thomas's development teams harnessing the synergies from within BorgWarner's extensive engine product portfolios, specifically air handling and turbocharging.