Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close

  • 🚗 Your People Are Here. Get In.

    The internet is full of car content. This is the community.

    Cheers & Gears has been bringing enthusiasts together since 2001. Join the conversation, show off your garage, and find your people.

  • Blake Noble
    Blake Noble

    By Blake Noble •

    Rumorpile: Subaru Considering Electric Turbocharging for Next WRX

    Blake Noble

    Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

    May 4th, 2012

    “Turbocharging” isn’t quite the dirty word it used to be these days. With strict fuel economy standards looming in the near horizon and the price of a gallon of gas unstable, automakers have turned to building and selling smaller turbo-powered engines to increase fuel economy without losing power. Buyers also seem to be responding favorably to turbo engines — for example, Ford's EcoBoost F-150 is enjoying better sales than comparable V8 models.

    While it seems like a win-win situation on spec sheets and in sales, in the real word modern turbocharged engines still sometimes suffer from turbo lag and require additional, sometimes complicated piping. And although something like Chrysler’s 1.4 liter turbo four will undoubtedly be more reliable than its primitive ancestors from the 1980s, automakers are still constantly looking at ways to improve and reduce the drawbacks associated with turbocharged engines.

    Enter Subaru then, who is considering replacing the exhaust-gas driven turbocharger on its WRX performance model for an electric-powered design. According to Australia’s Drive magazine, Subaru’s electric turbo would operate on heat generated from the exhaust which would be converted into electricity that would power the turbine. Such a design could eliminate most, if not all of the associated piping and drastically reduce turbo lag.

    The electric turbo is just one of the many rumors circulating about the next WRX. Expected to bow sometime around 2014, there are whispers that the new WRX will be available as a two-door coupe and have distinct styling that will borrow nothing from the related Impreza. Subaru Australia representative David Rowley spoke to Drive and agreed with the latter rumor, saying that it would “look considerably different.”

    The engine for the next WRX is expected to be a 1.6 liter boxer four, just in case you were wondering what that neat electric turbo could show up attached to. Only one question remains, though. How much power will this whiz-bang turbo setup be good for?

    Source: Drive

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Drew Dowdell

    I'm not sure it would eliminate turbo lag, but it would probably reduce it. It still has momentum to overcome spinning up and down. The faster you want the reaction to be, the more powerful you'd need the electric motor to be.

    that said: *buys stock in Honeywell.... and Hoover*

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    Yea Hoover does suck well ;)

    I agree Olds, it will reduce lag, but not eliminate it. I think we will see a ton of new technology over the next 5-10 years.

    I still think we need to move to CNG poweredvehicles.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    wouldn't that just technically be a supercharger?

    Turbojett, I think this is getting close to being a supercharger, I wonder just how much difference it will truly be.

    Electric driven versus belt driven?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell

    What is interesting to me is how well this could work with a light hybrid system and a small displacement engine. You could end up with 1 liter engines that get 200 hp at full boost/assist yet be fuel misers on the highway.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×



  • Support Independent Automotive Journalism

    25 years of honest automotive coverage — because someone has to do it.

    Cheers & Gears has never been filtered by manufacturer relationships or driven by algorithm. Just real people, real opinions, and a genuine love of cars. Subscribers keep the lights on and get an ad-light experience starting at $2.25/month.*

    View subscription options

    *A small number of ads feature member-exclusive coupon deals and will still appear.

  • Posts

    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Not surprised by this and would not be surprised if folks go over into Mexico and try to buy and drive back their Chinese auto. Texas border city is filling up with sleek Chinese cars that are illegal to buy in the United States What surprises me is I missed that Idiot47 has supposedly said if China wants to come in and setup factories and hire Americans, he is all for it. That is pretty much a death blow to American Auto Companies.
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      This is a 1yr old video I found that shows how much ahead China EVs are over the U.S. and Europe. Korea is the only country that is competitive right now, Japan is so far behind.
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      This is what American Auto Companies fear, quality, feature rich commuter cars for $10k dollars. I Just Drove a $10,000 Chinese EV. No, It Didn’t Suck 170-190 miles per charge, to 80% in 21 minutes, faster than any current Tesla. Weight is only 2,850 pounds, 250 lbs less than a traditional Mini ICE tech. Clearly American Auto industry is living in the past and at their own peril. The death of American auto industry due to NOT ignoring Idiot47 and moving forward with Technology.
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Yes, you are correct that it is the NOW for EMEA and APJ. BYD breaks down final barriers to electrification with Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH Charging - BYD BYD has a Battery pack storage system that goes with this for areas that have weak electrical grid system. Clearly, they are not only thinking of Europe, but Africa, South, Central and North America markets long term as well as all over the Asian rim. Clearly, they are so far ahead of America due to incompetent leadership. Yes, Ford says they are still working with CATL and BYD but for products in China and elsewhere, due to Idiot47 the U.S. market will not get this technology at this time. That tends to tell me that he knows it will not come here as long as Idiot47 is in office and then all bets are off, but can Ford and GM stay independent, or will they have to merge with someone? GM Buick EVs have moved to 900V tech for 10 min to 80% charge times using China technology, but will it ever go any other place? EMEA I can see it as those countries have already allowed China in. APJ but outside of China, I am not aware that GM has moved back into any other market than the little bit they have in Korea. Interesting times for sure. Per the press release, the 8th of April 2026 the first Flash Chargers opened in Paris France. DENZA Z9GT to start Europe’s FLASH Charging revolution in April: Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3 - BYD
    • ccap41
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By ccap41 · Posted

      You're welcome! Yep, the problem is that it isn't the future for the rest of the world. That's the NOW for China and Europe (if I remember correctly from the video). The US is soooo far behind. It does make me curious about the Ford and CATL and/or BYD partnerships that have been going on. I'm sure Ford isn't getting that technology though. 

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search