Natural Aspiration Expiration At VW, Will Go All Turbo Within Four Years, Ford May Too

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

According to a high ranking Volkswagen executive, within four years conventional naturally aspirated gasoline engines will be extinct at the automaker, replaced with diesel powerplants and turbocharged gasoline engines. Mark Trahan, VW of America’s executive vice president for group quality, said that the few conventional naturally aspirated engines the company sells will eventually be replaced with forced induction engines. “You have to have a turbo these days,” Trahan told The Detroit News. “We only have one normally aspirated gas engine, and when we go to the next generation vehicle that it’s in, it will be replaced. So three, four years maximum.”

Trahan’s comments follow on the heels of remarks by Joe Bakaj, Ford Motor Co. vice president of powertrain engineering, who said that naturally aspirated engines could may see their end in Ford’s lineup.


“At some point in the future that will be an option,” he said. Bakaj did say that hybrid vehicles, which pair conventional gas engines with electric motors, would be exceptions. Ford has invested heavily in its EcoBoost line of turbocharged engines and it has also advertised the EcoBoost brand heavily as combining the power of larger displacement engines with the fuel economy of smaller motors. Analysts estimate that 3 million vehicles will be sold in the U.S. this year equipped with turbocharged engines, up from 2.1 million last year.

TTAC Staff
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  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Sep 19, 2013

    The whole debate as to whether or not gasoline burning V8's are better than smaller turbo engines is interesting, and there are those that just assume that V8's will be around forever. But....... no seems to be asking the obvious question, will vehicle makers continue to see a business case for gasoline burning V8's and keep making them? Ford does seem to be heading towards smaller and smaller engines. Do they care if we the consumer think that a large gas V8 is "the be all end all"? Don't kid yourselve's, if they can make more money with TTDI V6's, they'll dump V8's faster than a political party dumps a presidential candidate who lost. Ford already sells more V6 engines in pickups than V8's. Cost savings for Ford come not just from the cost of building the engine but in packaging. A smaller lighter engine requires a smaller engine compartment which saves money. The rest of the chassis can be lightened because of less load upon the chassis from that lighter engine. It all adds up across the board. The "we don't want, need, or care about what goes on in Europe" types are also missing the boat when it comes to global markets. "One Ford" is a global plan to pare down badges, maximize platforms and engine configurations. It is much cheaper to use the same platform and drivetrains in all of their markets as opposed to building "special stuff" just for "special" places. What is going on in the rest of the world will eventually come to the USA and Canada. Case in point - Transit Van. The only engines choices are 3.7 litre NA gasser V6, 3.5 litre TTDI gasser V6, and the Duratorque rebadgesd as Powerstroke I-5 diesel. No big V8's. If one looks at the 5.0 Mustang, most rumours say that the GT500 will not use the larger 5.4 due to clearance problems. There are enough signs out their indicating that V8 gasers will be replaced by TTDI V6's and diesels. Just like DrOlds pointed out with the SBC, if a car company shows that a certain configuration is cheaper to build, that is what they will build.

    • See 1 previous
    • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Sep 19, 2013

      @DenverMike You need to re-read my post: "If one looks at the 5.0 Mustang, most rumours say that the GT500 will not use the larger 5.4 due to clearance problems." Translation - the downsizing process is already beginning.

  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Sep 20, 2013

    @DlM Here is a link. This link contains information of the Australia 2 litre Ford Falcon Eco Boost. Seeing your vehicle/vehicle industry seems to be limited to some distorted local US issues I'll explain to you what a Ford Falcon is. The Falcon is a large rear wheel drive family car. Something that is a rarity in the US and will become rare here. It is an Australian manufactured vehicle. This 2 litre Eco Boost is an alternative engine to the 4 litre in line Australian Ford 6. Have a read, it you might become enlightened and more knowledgeable with turbo vehicles. I also posted a Honeywell link. This will increase your limited mechanical knowledge base. I know you aren't mechanically minded so if you have any issues comprehending some of the Honeywell material I'll assist. Or is you have any trouble comprehending any vehicle related questions/issues, feel free to ask me for help. http://www.caradvice.com.au/207497/2013-ford-falcon-ecoboost-review/ http://turbo.honeywell.com/assets/pdfs/120202-EN-Vienna-Motor-Symposium-Presentation.pdf http://www.caradvice.com.au/207497/2013-ford-falcon-ecoboost-review/

  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Sep 20, 2013

    @Big Al from Oz - I wonder if Denver or Mikey will answer? Just mention chicken tax, tariffs, and technical barriers to trade and he will surface. I find that fact oddly amusing.

  • NormSV650 NormSV650 on Oct 06, 2013

    GM 2.0T putting down the power for years now: http://m.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=272372

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