Garrett (turbocharger)

Garrett (turbocharger)
Name	Garrett
Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Automotive, Aerospace, Industrial
Founded	1936
Founder	Sanford "S" Moss (as part of AiResearch)
Headquarters	Torrance, California, United States
Products	Turbochargers, turbo systems, wastegates, electronic actuators
Parent	Honeywell (former), Garrett Motion (spun off)

Garrett (turbocharger)

Garrett is a prominent manufacturer of turbochargers and turbo systems for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications, with historical roots in AiResearch and later corporate evolution under Honeywell and Garrett Motion. The company contributed to the widespread adoption of forced induction across passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorsport teams, and military aircraft, collaborating with major manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. Garrett turbochargers are noted for integrating aerodynamic engineering, materials science, and electronic control to improve power density and fuel efficiency.

History

Garrett’s lineage traces to Sanford Moss, an engineer whose work at General Electric and AiResearch advanced centrifugal compressor design during the interwar and World War II eras, influencing early turbocharging on Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce radial engines. In the postwar period Garrett units appeared on diesel locomotives built by EMD and marine engines supplied to General Motors, while the rise of European automakers such as Fiat, Renault, and BMW accelerated passenger-car turbo adoption. The 1970s oil crises and emissions regulations enacted by bodies like the United States Environmental Protection Agency encouraged manufacturers including Volvo, Saab, and Porsche to source turbo systems from Garrett and competitors. Corporate changes included integration into AlliedSignal and later Honeywell, with a later spin-off forming Garrett Motion as an independent supplier to Volkswagen Group, Ford Motor Company, Toyota, and others.

Technology and design

Garrett’s engineering draws on advances in turbomachinery, computational fluid dynamics pioneered in research centers such as NASA Ames Research Center and aerodynamic modeling used by MIT and Stanford University groups. Key design elements include turbine housings cast in high-temperature alloys similar to those developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory or metallurgical programs at Carnegie Mellon University, and compressor wheels shaped using methods refined in collaboration with Siemens and General Electric aerospace teams. Electronic actuation and boost control systems often integrate components from suppliers like Bosch, Continental AG, and Denso, while variable-geometry and twin-scroll geometries reference patents and research from institutions such as Imperial College London and ETH Zurich. Packaging and thermal management reflect partnerships with vehicle OEM engineering centers in Munich, Detroit, and Tokyo.

Product lines and models

Garrett’s portfolio spans small turbochargers for gasoline engines used by Honda and Nissan to large-frame units for heavy-duty trucks sold to Caterpillar, Volvo Trucks, and Daimler Truck AG. Notable architectures include variable-geometry turbos employed in collaboration with Audi and Mercedes-Benz, twin-scroll designs fitted to Subaru and Ford applications, and ball-bearing series used by Chevrolet and Lamborghini for rapid spool. Garrett also developed electrically assisted turbochargers in response to hybridization trends pursued by Toyota Motor Corporation, BMW Group, and Stellantis, and aftermarket performance models marketed to suppliers serving Mopar, Roush Performance, and HKS. Control modules and sensors are compatible with ECU platforms from Magneti Marelli and Siemens VDO.

Applications and manufacturers

Garrett turbos have been specified on products from passenger-car manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Mazda Motor Corporation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Renault, and Peugeot. Commercial and industrial users include Cummins, Caterpillar Inc., MAN, and Scania for heavy trucks, buses, and marine propulsion supplied to firms such as Maersk and Carnival Corporation. Aerospace adaptations trace to collaborations with Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and military programs in the United States and NATO partners, while aftermarket and tuning communities centered on regions like California, Tokyo, and England source Garrett components through distributors tied to brands such as Edelbrock and Summit Racing Equipment.

Motorsport and performance use

Garrett turbochargers have been central to motorsport programs in Formula One, World Rally Championship, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and endurance racing such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, partnering with teams and constructors including Porsche Motorsport, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing, Subaru World Rally Team, and Audi Sport Team Joest. High-performance variants featuring ceramic bearings, reinforced turbine wheels, and bespoke compressor maps were developed alongside engineering groups at McLaren, Ferrari, and Alpine. Turbo technology transfer from racing to road cars occurred through collaborations with manufacturers like Mitsubishi (Evangelizing rally-inspired models) and Nissan (GT-R program), while aftermarket tuner firms including HKS, Garrett-supplied GTX series distributors, and AMSOIL promoted bolt-on performance upgrades.

Environmental and regulatory impact

Garrett’s products have influenced regulatory compliance for manufacturers addressing emissions standards set by entities such as the European Commission, California Air Resources Board, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Turbocharging enables engine downsizing strategies adopted by Toyota, Volkswagen Group, and PSA Group to meet CO2 and NOx targets, aligning with decarbonization initiatives pursued by International Energy Agency and national energy ministries. Electrically assisted turbocharger development links Garrett to electrification roadmaps advanced by European Union policy and national programs in China and Japan. At the same time, debates in policy forums involving United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and industry consortia including ACEA consider lifecycle impacts of turbocharged engines versus full electrification.

Category:Turbochargers Category:Automotive parts manufacturers