Auburn Hills-based BorgWarner Inc. Thursday announced it had developed a diesel turbocharger that can meet the world's strictest emissions standards.

The company expects to see the technology introduced in the United States in 2008 on diesel imports from two European automakers.

"Until now, complying with stringent emissions standards -- especially significant reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions -- has created a number of technological challenges for diesel vehicle growth in this country," said Roger Wood, president and general manager of BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems. "Our patent-pending low-pressure EGR turbocharger technology can help OEMs achieve those targets with greater reliability and performance while protecting the environment."

One of the most effective ways to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions is through exhaust gas recirculation to the combustion chamber. Low-pressure EGR systems offer advantages in emissions reduction compared with high-pressure EGR systems. However, high thermal loads and metal fatigue due to damaging exhaust particles made it difficult to implement low-pressure EGR with reliability.

But in a recent breakthrough, research and development engineers at BorgWarner have developed new materials and coatings for compressor wheels and housings that withstand the extreme temperatures generated by recirculated exhaust gas. In addition, the specialized coatings prevent uncombusted particles from depositing on the compressor, extending the lifetime of the turbocharger.

"A focus on fuel economy continues to power the proliferation of diesel-powered passenger vehicles around the world, and it appears that the United States will follow the same trend," Wood said. "At BorgWarner, our experts have developed a number of turbocharger technologies, offering customers tailor-made products to meet the strictest emissions standards and helping advance growth in the clean diesel market."

More at www.borgwarner.com.