BorgWarner has developed the first flex fuel turbocharger made in Brazil for the country’s growing passenger car market. The B01-series turbocharger helps boost performance, improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, enabling automakers to comply with Brazil’s INOVAR-AUTO requirements.

Designed for 0.8- to 1.6-liter engines, BorgWarner’s new flex fuel turbocharger will debut with a major global automaker in mid-2015.

“Downsized, boosted gasoline engines are already a major trend. As drivers in Brazil also desire fuel economy and lower emissions, we expect demand for our latest turbocharging technology to grow significantly,” said Frédéric Lissalde, president and general manager, BorgWarner Turbo Systems.

Flex fuel vehicles in Brazil run on gasoline, which contains up to 25% ethanol, or else 100% ethanol fuel. The blending mandate in Brazil is currently 25% ethanol. Since high amounts of ethanol can cause more corrosion, BorgWarner has improved turbocharger durability. Featuring a compact design for small passenger car applications, BorgWarner’s flex fuel turbocharger includes a milled compressor wheel, optimized bearing system and wastegate controlled by an electric actuator with advanced noise suppression features. The turbocharger has been developed to be directly mounted to the cylinder head’s integrated exhaust manifold, thus allowing a compact engine installation.

BorgWarner builds the turbochargers at its facility in Itatiba City, Brazil, using high volume, lean manufacturing processes and precision robotics.

The company, which develops powertrain technologies, has facilities across the globe and is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., U.S.A.