This is awesome! Wife had a 9-3 back when with a turbo 4. Good mileage and incredible power and never knew it was a turbo 4. Honda could probably do twice as well.
Hondas new 4cyl Turbo VTEC engines.
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I have to wonder about the service requirements, reliability, and longevity of the turbo'd engines. Will that likely be adversely affected?
I remember the old days of turbocharged engines:I have to wonder about the service requirements, reliability, and longevity of the turbo'd engines. Will that likely be adversely affected?
1) Floor the accelerator pedal and little happens for several seconds until the vehicle launches suddenly and sometimes unexpectedly.
2) Frequent, expensive repairs.
3) Allowing a cooldown period before shutting off the engine.
Time will answer your questions and concerns since 2.0L turbocharged engines are quickly becoming as ubiquitous as 305/350 V8s and 3800 V6s. They are currently in everything from Chevrolets to 5-series BMWs. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see one appear in the Ridgeline, Odyssey, and/or Pilot within the next couple of years, if not sooner. Get ready.
I think they have been steadily improved as the demand for smaller displacement engines with lots of power has become a major option for automakers. Ford has certainly turned that corner successfully.
At least I have not heard some of the horror stories of the past. Interestingly, Honda got a little more power with even better mileage out of their earlier Acura RDX model by dropping the turbo 4 for a V6. But the alternative was not so great having to go with VCM to keep up the mpgs.
At least I have not heard some of the horror stories of the past. Interestingly, Honda got a little more power with even better mileage out of their earlier Acura RDX model by dropping the turbo 4 for a V6. But the alternative was not so great having to go with VCM to keep up the mpgs.
Following a quick thought, I can't think of a single model Ford currently sells that doesn't come standard with a turbocharged engine or offer one as an option. That honestly caught me off guard - I had no idea. I believe it's safe to say that turbochargers are quickly becoming the rule rather than the exception.Ford has certainly turned that corner successfully.
You are almost completely right! The Transit Connect lacks a Turbo at least in the USA. Every Ford overseas has a turbo bolted on to the diesel version. I've driven several of the Turbo Diesels on overseas trips and love them.Following a quick thought, I can't think of a single model Ford currently sells that doesn't come standard with a turbocharged engine or offer one as an option. That honestly caught me off guard - I had no idea. I believe it's safe to say that turbochargers are quickly becoming the rule rather than the exception.
According to Ford's website, even the 2015 Transit Connect is available with a 1.6L EcoBoost, so it appears Ford is using turbocharged engines across the board.You are almost completely right! The Transit Connect lacks a Turbo at least in the USA. Every Ford overseas has a turbo bolted on to the diesel version. I've driven several of the Turbo Diesels on overseas trips and love them.
Honda is late to the forced induction party, but it's better late than never. It can definitely be a way to have your cake and eat it too - power and fuel economy. This is how all the "high MPG" trucks and diesel engines are doing it. I could see a long-stroke 2.0l w/a turbo slapped on the side be a possible power plant for the next RL. It might have similar power to the current power plant, but with better fuel economy and possibly more torque.
Forced induction engines offer potentially better fuel economy if you're extremely easy on the throttle to minimize or avoid use of the turbocharger. Otherwise, they use just as much fuel as a naturally-aspirated engine at a certain power output. A gallon of fuel only contains so much energy - there is no magical device that will create free energy.
^^^ yes ^^^
I easily got 30-32 mpg out of my manual 6-speed, 2.0 turbo, APR chipped Audi at 70-80MPH on the interstate, but flog it around town and mileage dropped to low 20s, but it was worth it ;-)
I easily got 30-32 mpg out of my manual 6-speed, 2.0 turbo, APR chipped Audi at 70-80MPH on the interstate, but flog it around town and mileage dropped to low 20s, but it was worth it ;-)
Had the 9-3 turbo as well, took less than 3 seconds to go from 60 to 100 mph... loved that car. When I traded it in, I was getting around 32mpg with 130k on the odometer.This is awesome! Wife had a 9-3 back when with a turbo 4. Good mileage and incredible power and never knew it was a turbo 4. Honda could probably do twice as well.
Back to Speed's question...
The turbo craze is supported by the improved computer control and sensor technology and the superior materials they make this stuff from nowadays. And of course they learned a lot from those bygone years and some dismal failures. For example, practically all turbos now have intercoolers which were considered a "performance" option in bygone times.
That said, it is more complicated, more parts all of which wear, and generally, an engine turning higher rpm to make horsepower. I think it would be fair to say that either maintenance levels will increase, or reliability will decrease given the same amount of dollar input. In other words, they will cost more to maintain their reliability.
We probably said the same thing about going from V8's to V6's and it was true to some extent. With petro fuel a diminishing resource over the long haul I'm afraid this is the way of the future. I'm kind of surprised at this point we don't have mandated hybrids for all city dwellers. You watch......if the carbon economy really breaks through I think we will be amazed at what can be done with 2 or 3 cylinders and electric motors.
Back in the early 90's before Toyota latched on to it, I knew some people at the Rocky Mountain Institute who were working on hybrid tech. When I saw it the first time, I was certain it would never fly. Wrong again.
The turbo craze is supported by the improved computer control and sensor technology and the superior materials they make this stuff from nowadays. And of course they learned a lot from those bygone years and some dismal failures. For example, practically all turbos now have intercoolers which were considered a "performance" option in bygone times.
That said, it is more complicated, more parts all of which wear, and generally, an engine turning higher rpm to make horsepower. I think it would be fair to say that either maintenance levels will increase, or reliability will decrease given the same amount of dollar input. In other words, they will cost more to maintain their reliability.
We probably said the same thing about going from V8's to V6's and it was true to some extent. With petro fuel a diminishing resource over the long haul I'm afraid this is the way of the future. I'm kind of surprised at this point we don't have mandated hybrids for all city dwellers. You watch......if the carbon economy really breaks through I think we will be amazed at what can be done with 2 or 3 cylinders and electric motors.
Back in the early 90's before Toyota latched on to it, I knew some people at the Rocky Mountain Institute who were working on hybrid tech. When I saw it the first time, I was certain it would never fly. Wrong again.
Agree with most of this....
I do believe that if Honda approaches this as they did design/engineering projects in years gone by, they can make this a success: That is focus on making it right vs. making it first.... and put priority on making it last before making it fast (or pretty).
I do believe science & technology have advanced to the point that reliable & efficient Turbo engines will work if they don't skimp on either design margins or materials quality. Here's hoping!
I do believe that if Honda approaches this as they did design/engineering projects in years gone by, they can make this a success: That is focus on making it right vs. making it first.... and put priority on making it last before making it fast (or pretty).
I do believe science & technology have advanced to the point that reliable & efficient Turbo engines will work if they don't skimp on either design margins or materials quality. Here's hoping!
We had 0 problems with our 06 Saab 2.0 turbo. Ran like a top and sold it with 93k. The guy that bought it has 133k on it and hasn't touched it. Just one but they have a nice track record.
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