Honeywell announced today that it would turbocharge the new Chevrolet Sonic unveiled this week at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The Sonic launch expands the number of new smaller, turbocharged gas engines introduced into the US auto market to boost fuel economy without sacrificing performance.
The turbocharged 1.4-liter Ecotec engine produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, but is still expected to get more than 40 mpg on the highway. It is the same engine used in the slightly larger Chevrolet Cruze, which delivers a class-leading 42 mpg highway rating according to the EPA.
The Sonic joins a growing group of Honeywell turbocharged fuel-efficient vehicles launched in the US recently, including several of Ford's line of EcoBoost vehicles, the Mercedes CL550 coupe and CL63/S63 AMG models, and the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, the world's first turbocharged hybrid.
"We have entered the modern era of turbochargers in the US," said Alex Ismail, President and CEO of Honeywell Transportation Systems. "Car makers have made the decision that turbos will play a key role to help them deliver high performing engines that improve fuel efficiency.
“The future for turbo gasoline and diesel engines in the US has never been brighter and we have seen some industry experts estimate turbo penetration to reach nearly 80 percent over the next decade as turbo gasoline, turbo hybrids and modern clean turbo diesels gain traction."
Turbo penetration in the US is expected to grow from 5 percent today to 20 percent of all new cars during the next five years, led by a rapid uptake in new generation turbo gasoline powertrains.
