Report: Audi preparing an electric turbocharger for next-gen Q7
Audi is apparently preparing to revive a mechanical concept that was otherwise viewed as a scam to lure in wannabe street-tuners looking for cheap mods to make their cars faster: the electric turbocharger.
According to Australia’s Drive, the next-generation Q7 may feature the technology, after speaking with Audi’s diesel engine head, Ulrich Weiss. He also suggested that the RS5 TDI Concept may actually see a production variant in the near future.
This technology isn’t exactly alien photon science as Audi’s recent R18 endurance car uses a conceptually similar system by capturing waste heat from the engine and converting it into electric power to power the hybrid functions. The RS5 TDI Concept also features a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 with an electric supercharger, designed to compensate for the turbo lag. The result there was 385hp and a whopping 553 lb-ft of twist.
The new Q7 on the other hand is rumored to drop around 800lbs from its curb weight in the ever great bids to increase fuel economy.
Source: Drive