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Recently dual-speed supercharger is advocated by a UK-based Antonov Automotive Technologies company. The dual-speed supercharger is helping for the current trend of downsizing displacement and force inducting engines in efforts to improve fuel economy and emissions.

“Car makers are increasingly looking at superchargers to enhance the performance of small engines. Unlike turbochargers there are no heat issues to manage, and the study of exhaust gases can then be assigned to energy recovery systems,” says Antonov operations director Chris Baylis.

According to Antonov, at alower engine RPMs, the dual-speed supercharger which can run faster at low engine RPMs for that instant “kick”. While at high engine RPMs it will run slower at high engine RPMs to extend the boosted torque curve across the rev range. This is cheaper when comparing to the complex combinations of a supercharger and turbocharger like the Volkswagen 1.4 liter TSI’s twin-charger.