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New turbo petrol engines do not rev as high as NA petrols

Is this to preserve the turbocharger in any way? Or is it that the makers are focusing on longevity as these downsized motors are heavily stressed anyway?

Of-late, we have been seeing that a lot of the new-age turbo-petrol engines have a rather conservative rev limit as compared to some free-revving NA engines. Take the Honda City for example. It's 1.5L NA petrol revvs gloriously to 7,000 rpm, while the Figo's 3-cylinder 1.2L petrol revvs to 6,800 rpm and the EcoSport 1.5L 3-cylinder sees 6,900 rpm. Hyundai's 1.6L NA petrol was quite rev-happy and nicely went to 7,000 rpm.

In comparison, here's a list of turbo-petrols with their lower revv limits:

  • Tata Altroz Turbo Petrol: 5,500 rpm
  • Hyundai Creta DCT - 6,250 rpm
  • Jeep Compass AT - just under 6,000 rpm
  • Mahindra XUV300 Turbo Petrol - 5,900 rpm
  • Renault Duster 1.3L - 6,400 rpm
  • Skoda Rapid TSI - 6,500 rpm

What could be the reason for a relatively low rev limit for these engines? Is this to preserve the turbocharger in any way? Or is it that the makers are focusing on longevity as these downsized motors are heavily stressed anyway?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Just to add, not all turbo-petrols have conservative rev limits. I don't remember which, but some Germans cars (VW-Skoda, BMW) have turbo-petrols that rev almost to 7,000 rpm.

Some on the list above are way too low for a petrol. Heck, I know diesels that do 5,400 rpm!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights & information.

 
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