In another significant step towards further improving fuel economy in automobiles, BMW is currently developing a steam-powered auxiliary drive system that aims to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 15% as well as enhance the vehicle’s performance. Named the ‘Turbosteamer’ concept, the system applies to a 1.8 liter, four cylinder gasoline engine and recycles the otherwise waste heat in the exhaust gases and cooling system.

A large percentage of this released energy simply goes to waste. The Turbosteamer aims to use that energy to power an auxiliary steam engine that will contribute more power to the existing gasoline-powered, four cylinder engines. In tests, the Turbosteamer has produced an additional 13 hp in performance, with 10 kW more power and 20Nm more torque. All these additional power and efficiency comes from nothing but the heat in the exhaust gases and cooling water. In fact, the Turbosteamer recycled 80% of the energy from exhaust gases.

BMW is planning to incorporate the Turbosteamer in future models. More importantly, the system is designed so that it can be installed in current model series. All BMW models can become 15% more fuel-efficient if this system will be rolled out to as many people as possible. However, the concept drive system is still in the testing stages. BMW’s engineers are focused on making the system’s components smaller and simpler to facilitate installation into existing models, and with minimal reduction in ground clearance. BMW hopes that the system will be ready for volume production within the next ten years.