When Audi introduces the next-gen Q7 SUV, it will be followed by the SQ7 performance variant that will utilize an electric turbocharger.
According to Autocar, Audi technical boss Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg says, “The new Q7 will be available in the market next year but the electric turbo will come a bit later in the Audi SQ7 available in 2016.” We’ve seen similar technology with Audi before, but it was an electrically driven supercharger – the Audi RS5 TDI concept utilized a 3.0L twin-turbocharged diesel V6 plus electrically-driven supercharger to combat turbo lag.
By utilizing an electric turbo, Audi hopes to eliminate turbo lag once and for all. An electric motor will be able to spool up a turbo much quicker than exhaust gases, which will create better performance and fuel economy. A more responsive turbo will also allow the engine to produce more low-end power.
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