SRT Unveils eBoost Air Concept to Kill Turbo Lag

Stellantis' revived SRT performance division introduced a new eBoost Air engine powertrain concept on Thursday at its Detroit facility. The system targets turbo lag by adding an electric compressor to the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-6 engine.

The electric turbine sits upstream from the turbos and spools up immediately at low RPMs, delivering power faster without waiting for traditional turbo spool. It operates only until the engine reaches higher RPMs, at which point exhaust gases take over and the compressor bypasses.

Ram claims the setup makes the Hurricane respond more directly and fiercely, similar to a supercharged V8.

Electric compressors aren't new. Mercedes-AMG and Porsche already use them to augment turbocharged engines. SRT says this version works as intended, though it remains a concept for now, with the automaker fast-tracking it toward a future truck.

The announcement comes as Stellantis pushes to revive its performance image. The company recently brought back the Hemi V8 for Ram trucks, relaunched the SRT brand, and introduced a new line of street trucks under the Rumble Bee name. These moves aim to reverse a seven-year sales decline.