However much better turbocharged engines now are, there remains an element of lag; and however instantaneous electric performance is, more often than not an old engine remains a more emotive thing to use. AMG is not the first OEM to think electric turbochargers the solution, but it is one of the few with a fully-functioning F1 team to take advantage of and has plundered the technology pioneered there with a view to introducing it on its next generation of road cars.
The premise is reasonably simple. Essentially, a 4cm electric motor on the charger shaft is there to keep the turbo's compressor wheel spinning before the exhaust gas can get there. AMG says that the electrification of the turbocharger "significantly improves immediate response from idle speed and across the entire engine speed range". Turbo lag is said to be "eliminated" - we can but hope. We can hope because we know how good an AMG engine can be, so if this combines the very best bits of electrification, turbocharging and, you know, plain old internal combustion, then happy days.
There's more, too. Using a smaller turbo boosted by electric is claimed to give the best of both worlds, with the flexibility that isn't there with a bigger blower but more power than would be expected because of the assistance. Electrification also promises more torque at low revs - and thus better acceleration off the line - as well as consistency of response: it maintains boost pressure in the turbo, meaning there should be no delay from pedal to performance.
Interestingly, AMG has developed this electrified turbo technology with Garrett Motion, and the innovation is said to be "already in the final stage of development". It will run off a 48-volt onboard electrical system, which AMG of course already has experience with in the 53 range of electrified straight-six models.
Which all sounds pretty encouraging. Tobias Moers has gone as far to say that this technology will take turbo engines to "a previously unattainable level of agility", which is quite some claim. So where might we see it? Well, if a little ambitious speculation can be excused, it would surely be a great fit for AMG's core model: the C63. If the 4.0-litre landmine of a turbo V8 must go, as is rumoured, to be replaced by the A45's M139 four-cylinder, then there would arguably be no way to better elevate it above a hot hatch engine than with F1 electric turbo technology. That car is rumoured to be one for 2022, so keep your eyes peeled...
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