Honeywell Transportation Systems has announced that it has developed and supplied a variable-geometry diesel turbocharger for the new 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine which powers the Volkswagen Polo, Vento and the Skoda Rapid in the Indian market.

Honeywell’s variable nozzle technology (VNT) benefits diesel engines with improved responsiveness, performance and fuel economy. Honeywell’s personnel in Europe and India collaborated on the project.

“With Honeywell, we have a trusted partner for high performance and extremely reliable turbochargers for our 1.5-litre TDI diesel engines. Additionally, Honeywell has helped us increase our local content with this high-value part for our engine and have contributed to our long-term localisation strategy in India,” said Hans-Georg Festing, executive director – Corporate Purchasing, Volkswagen India.

“Honeywell VNT technology is an upgrade to existing wastegate technology with its advanced aerodynamics and bearing systems allowing more precise control of air flow into the engine. This helps Volkswagen offer its customers improved fuel economy and uncompromising performance with high torque and power resulting in better responsiveness. Our VNT technology is 30 percent more space efficient helping Volkswagen engineers apply a more powerful, yet compact powertrain across a range of vehicles,” said Milind Godbole, managing director, Honeywell Transportation Systems, India.

“Honeywell’s design, engineering and manufacturing centres in Pune and Bangalore are world-class facilities translating our global technology platforms into localised solutions for India. The close collaboration has led to an engine that is not only a win for the consumer, but is energy efficient and environmentally responsible,” he added.  

The 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine replaces a smaller 1.2-litre TDI diesel engine as well as a larger 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine in the VW Polo, Vento and the Škoda Rapid. Configurations with this engine across all three models went on sale in the second half of 2014.

Downsized diesel turbocharged vehicles deliver up to 40 percent better fuel economy and emissions than the larger naturally-aspirated engines with similar power outputs which they replace. They also have better torque and are often more fun to drive than non-turbocharged vehicles.

Honeywell projects turbo penetration in India to increase from 46 percent in 2014 to 48 percent in 2019, reflecting nearly 3 million sales of turbocharged vehicles, with petrol applications increasing in the mix. 

In India, Honeywell has seven state-of-the-art manufacturing and engineering operations, and five global centres of excellence for technology development and innovation. It employs close to 13,000 people across 50 locations including Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Gurgaon, Vadodara and Madurai.

Honeywell launches around 100 new applications globally every year with some 500 in its development pipeline while working with nearly every major auto manufacturer in the world.