BorgWarner’s advanced silent timing chain enhances fuel economy
BorgWarner Inc., a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, has started supplying its advanced 6.35 mm silent timing chain for the new Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Powered by a 1.2-liter gasoline engine, the hatchback is available in Europe, Japan and Israel.
“BorgWarner is pleased to provide the advanced silent timing chains to Maruti Suzuki,” Joe Fadool, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Morse Systems, said. “The combination of our lowfriction technologies and localised manufacturing strengthen our product leadership position,” he said. In India the silent chains are manufactured by the Morse Systems plant at Kakkalur, near Chennai.
BorgWarner had already launched its new silent chain for the balance shaft drive on Hyundai’s Theta II four-cylinder gas direct-injection (GDI) and turbo-GDI engines. These engines power the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sorento, K5 and Sportage for the US and Korean markets. Designed to withstand the harsh environment and stresses of GDI engines, the new silent chain delivers lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and greater durability compared with roller chain systems for balance drive applications. The innovative low friction silent timing chains, developed and manufactured by BorgWarner, are designed to improve fuel economy of about 0.3 to 0.6%. The company sources said it was too early to pinpoint the exact fuel economy, though they confirm that it is a favourable improvement from the silent chain without the optimised link back design and `E’ polish finish.
BorgWarner’s inverted tooth silent timing chain features an optimised link back design and `E’ polish finish to reduce contact area and friction as the chain slides along the arms and guides of the timing drive. Lower friction improves durability and increases engine efficiency, allowing the engine to use less fuel. BorgWarner has been supplying low friction silent chains to other automakers globally as well. As automakers began downsizing engines to improve fuel economy, BorgWarner recognised this as an opportunity and introduced best-in-class silent chain technology that reduces friction to improve engine efficiency and fuel economy.
“At our core, our technologies help make a cleaner, more energy-efficient world. That is what has driven BorgWarner for several years now, balancing our efforts across the combustion, hybrid and electric vehicle segments. We have a diverse, well-balanced product portfolio that aligns with the market,” the company spokesperson said.
The silent chains cannot be used in the diesel engines. However, the friction reduction features, radius back and `E’ Polish used in this silent chain is already made available in the BorgWarner roller and bush chains. So the technology is basically available for diesel engines also but with different chain type.
As a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions, BorgWarner is prepared for BS VI implementation in India. It is gearing up to introduce or manufacture products that are aligned to Indian emission standards.