Garrett Motion showcased a wide range of new products at IAA Transportation 2026, from next-generation turbochargers for commercial vehicles to zero-emission technologies. This includes compact 2-in-1 electric powertrain, which is set to enter production next year through a partnership with Chinese axle manufacturer Hande Axle.
Among the highlights was Garrett’s newest generation of turbochargers. Speaking to this publication, a company official said the turbocharger is designed for both diesel and CNG applications. It is primarily built for commercial vehicles powered by 13-litre engines, a widely used engine capacity across global markets. The unit continues to push improvements in performance, efficiency, and fuel economy across fuel types, catering to both traditional diesel technology and newer fuels that are gaining-momentum like CNG. Beyond this range, the company also offers large-frame MEG turbochargers platform, built for very large engines used in gensets and even maritime applications, he said.
Zero Emission
On the zero-emission side, the company presented three key technologies. The first was a centrifugal refrigerant compressor, offering up to 35 kilowatts of cooling power in a notably compact package. It delivers double the cooling capacity of comparable compressors while being 50% smaller, up to 10% more efficient, and quieter, generating less than 10 decibels of noise, he explained.
The second was Garrett’s 2-in-1 e-powertrain, combining an inverter and electric motor into a single compact unit capable of spinning up to 20,000 RPM, and even higher in some versions. By running at higher speeds for a given power output, he said the motor can be made significantly smaller for the same performance, delivering 300 kilowatts peak and 200 kilowatts continuous power. Since it’s built on a scalable platform, the design allows torque characteristics to be adjusted simply by changing the motor’s length. This smaller size also means less use of sensitive materials like copper, lamination, and magnets, offering sustainability benefits along with improved vehicle packaging, reduced weight, and better total cost of ownership. These benefits add up significantly for commercial trucks covering large daily distances, potentially even allowing them to carry additional payload, the official said.
The third and most tangible showcase was a real-world application of this 2-in-1 powertrain. It was integrated into a full axle beam for a medium-duty truck with an 11.5-tonne load capacity, developed in partnership with Hande Axle, the leading axle supplier in China. In this setup, Garrett supplies the integrated motor and inverter, while Hande Axle contributes the gearbox, axle beams, and brakes, resulting in a compact and lightweight design. An integrated version of this system, slightly different from the display unit, will enter full production next year, marking the company’s first start of production (SOP) for this technology with Hande Axle.
