BorgWarner has reached an agreement with a major European automaker to supply its variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbocharger for one of the manufacturer's hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) platforms. The deal, announced February 11, 2026, from the company's Auburn Hills, Michigan headquarters, positions BorgWarner as part of the global supply chain supporting one of the OEM's first HEV offerings in North America. Production is expected to start in 2028.
The turbocharger uses adjustable, electrically actuated vanes that regulate pressure upstream of the turbine, enabling near-instant acceleration and maximum power output. BorgWarner says the system is designed to optimize performance across a range of engine speeds while integrating combustion strategies intended to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. The turbine housing has been modified to meet the OEM's packaging constraints and to improve transient performance.
Two features distinguish this version of the technology. The compressor wheel has undergone shot-peening — a process in which the metal surface is treated to increase resistance to wear — to extend component life and meet the manufacturer's durability requirements. A silencer integrated into the compressor outlet is designed to reduce cabin noise.
Dr. Volker Weng, Vice President of BorgWarner Inc. and President and General Manager of its Turbos and Thermal Technologies division, said the agreement builds on an existing relationship with the OEM. "Our extensive experience supplying turbochargers using our proven VTG technology for similar applications in Europe, along with our strong track record for quality and reliability, positions us well to extend our relationship and further expand our North American breadth of offerings together," Weng said.
VTG turbochargers have been widely used in diesel engines for decades and are increasingly applied in gasoline and hybrid powertrains as automakers seek to balance performance with tighter emissions standards. Unlike fixed-geometry turbochargers, VTG systems adjust the angle of vanes inside the turbine housing to control exhaust gas flow, giving engineers more precise control over boost pressure across different engine conditions.
BorgWarner, founded more than 130 years ago, supplies powertrain and electrification components to automakers globally. The company has positioned itself as a supplier to both conventional and electrified vehicle platforms as the industry undergoes a shift toward hybrid and battery electric vehicles. The identity of the European OEM was not disclosed in the announcement.