As auto manufacturers pursue greater fuel economy, models are increasingly being offered with smaller displacement engines that consume less fuel. In order to meet performance expectations, turbocharging is used to increase power output of the smaller engines. Many midsized sedans that were previously installed with 6-cylinder engines are now only offered with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers improved fuel economy and performance that meets or exceeds that of the old 6-cylinder engines. Light trucks have seen a similar trend where 8-cylinder engines are being replaced by turbocharged 6-cylinder engines.Turbocharged engines are now 15.7% of all light vehicle engines produced.
Penetration of Model Year 2014 Turbocharged Engines
Note: Excludes diesels. Estimates are based on preliminary 2014 data.
Supporting Information
Category | Turbo Share |
---|---|
Cars | |
4-cylinder Cars | 64.7% |
6-cylinder Cars | 5.0% |
8-cylinder Cars | 3.6% |
Other Cars | 1.0% |
All Cars | 18.7% |
Light Trucks | |
4-cylinder Trucks | 13.1% |
6-cylinder Trucks | 11.1% |
8-cylinder Trucks | 1.5% |
All Light Trucks | 11.1% |
All Cars and Light Trucks | 15.7% |
Source: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2014, EPA-420-R-14-023, October 2014. |