Eaton superchargers could be the next big tech shift in India
Quick to pick up on the downsizing trend, Eaton is developing a supercharger for the Indian market that will enable carmakers to use smaller capacity engines without compromising on power and fuel efficiency. The company is targeting engines between 1.1-1.5 litre capacity for this supercharger. The supercharger, says Krishnakumar Srinivasan, MD, Eaton Vehicle Group, "will give higher power, better torque curves and improved fuel efficiency." Eaton is conducting trials with a few OEMs that cannot be named at present.
In addition to petrol and diesel powered engines, Eaton is targeting CNG fuelled cars to be fitted with superchargers as it could be a logical solution to the drop in power seen in CNG cars. Supercharging requires considerable engineering effort and hence is part of the conceptualizing stage for new platforms said Srinivasan hinting at collaboration with OEMs in India for next generation vehicles.
Adding a supercharger to an engine involves added cost which in our cut-throat price competitive market could spell doom. Srinivasan says that since OEMs will require smaller engines with a supercharger compared to a non-supercharged one, it will save on material costs. The engine will also be economical as a result and fuel will be burnt better with a supercharger, he added.
Eaton has already proved the benefits of a supercharger on the export version of the Nissan Micra that develops 97PS from the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine. Without the supercharger, the power output is a mere 75PS. Torque figures are also considerably higher at 150Nm to the non-supercharged 110Nm. All this power and torque at better efficiency makes an excellent case for Eaton.
Eaton is also looking at a large portfolio of next generation products to be localised in India. Since there is a scope for expansion at Eaton's Nashik and Ahmednagar facilities, there is a good chance of these products being manufactured here.