Torotrak's V-Charge receives a boost

Torotrak's emissions reduction technology received a boost on Tuesday, with some positive test results encouraging its development partner to commit further to the project.

The AIM-traded developer and supplier of emissions reduction and fuel efficiency technology for vehicles completed the testing on a 1.0L Ford Ecoboost petrol engine.

Torotrak said the rig tests confirmed the performance they had predicted after simulation testing in 2015, with independently verified results showing the fuel consumption and performance of V-Charge was highly competitive and in line with expectations.

The product successfully achieved the target requirements in boost pressure, mass airflow and power consumption, and delivered a class-leading 90 % of target torque in under 500ms, the company confirmed.

Torotrak said it had shared the results with its Tier 1 partner and with Ford, and was now identifying opportunities to further improve the performance of V-Charge in a production-intent twin-stage boosting system.

Its Tier 1 partner had now committed to delivering an adapted turbocharger unit in March 2016, and it was anticipated that the results from on-engine testing would be available in April.

"We are delighted with the independent test results achieved by V-Charge on the 1.0L Ford Ecoboost engine", said non-executive chairman Nick Barter.

"These results confirm the capacity of V-Charge to enable engine downsizing in a low cost, simple to install boosting system", he added.

Barter was confident the product would offer vehicle manufacturers a cost-effective way to address the emissions reductions challenges they face, while maintaining driveability.

CEO Adam Robson said he was very pleased with the results.

"I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by our Tier 1 partner to extend the scope of this programme to include their new turbocharger configuration", he said.

"This extra investment will permit us to show the fullest potential of V-Charge", he concluded.