Turbocharger
TechnologieAverage price
500€ - 2000€
The turbocharger, commonly known as a 'turbo', is a forced induction system designed to increase the power and efficiency of an internal combustion engine. Its operating principle is based on utilizing the energy wasted in the exhaust gases. It consists of two main components mounted on a common shaft: a turbine and a compressor. The turbine, driven by the speed and pressure of the exhaust gases, spins the compressor. The compressor draws in ambient air, compresses it, and then sends it under pressure into the engine cylinders. By increasing the amount of intake air, the engine can burn a larger amount of fuel, thereby generating more power and torque for an equivalent displacement. This technology is at the heart of the 'downsizing' concept, which involves using smaller, turbocharged engines to achieve the performance of larger engines while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Today, the turbocharger is ubiquitous in diesel engines and increasingly common in modern gasoline engines.
Benefits
- ✓Significant increase in engine power and torque.
- ✓Improved energy efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.
- ✓Reduction of CO2 emissions thanks to the 'downsizing' concept.
- ✓Maintenance of engine performance at high altitudes where the air is less dense.
Learn more
What is a turbocharger?
The turbocharger, or 'turbo', is a cornerstone of modern automotive engineering. It is a forced induction system designed to supply the engine with a greater quantity of air than it could naturally aspirate. By forcing more air into the cylinders, more fuel can be injected, resulting in a more powerful combustion and, ultimately, a significant increase in engine power and torque without having to increase its displacement. This ingenious technology makes it possible to combine performance, driving pleasure, and compliance with environmental standards.
How does a turbocharger work?
Turbo operation is based on energy recovery. It uses the force of the exhaust gases, which would otherwise be wasted, to drive a turbine. This turbine is connected by a shaft to a second wheel, the compressor, located in the air intake circuit. The process takes place in several steps:
The major advantages of turbocharging
The massive adoption of the turbocharger by manufacturers is explained by its multiple benefits:
Associated technologies and drawbacks
Despite its advantages, the turbo has a historical drawback: 'turbo lag', or response time. This is the delay between pressing the accelerator and the arrival of boost, while the exhaust gases spin up the turbine. To counter this phenomenon, several technologies have been developed:
In terms of maintenance, a turbocharged engine requires high-quality oil changed at regular intervals. It is also advisable to let the engine idle for a few tens of seconds before shutting it off after a demanding trip, to allow the turbine to slow down and cool down, thereby preserving its lifespan.
Finitions équipées
7 finition(s) proposent cet équipement
Hyundai Veloster
Turbo (1st generation) (2013-2017)
Hyundai Veloster
Turbo / N Line equiv. (2nd generation, import) (2019-2022 (not sold via official French network))
Mini Mini Coupe
Cooper S (1st generation R58) (2011-2015)
Mini Mini Hatch
Cooper S (R56) (2010-2014)
Mini Mini Paceman
Cooper S (1st generation R61) (2013-2016)
Mini Mini Paceman
Cooper S ALL4 (1st generation R61) (2013-2016)
Porsche Porsche Macan
Macan Turbo (2nd generation) (2024-2026)
Associated equipment
Diesel engine
The diesel engine, named after its inventor Rudolf Diesel, is a type of internal combustion engine whose operating principle is based on the auto-ignition of fuel. Unlike the gasoline engine, which requires a spark plug, the diesel engine compresses only air at a very high pressure (between 30 and 55 bar), which increases its temperature up to 700-900°C. Diesel fuel is then injected and finely atomized into the combustion chamber, where it spontaneously ignites upon contact with the superheated air. This rapid combustion creates a strong thrust on the piston, thereby generating motive power. Renowned for its high low-end torque and low fuel consumption, the diesel engine has long been the preferred choice for high-mileage drivers and commercial vehicles. Modern technologies, such as common rail direct injection, the turbocharger, and exhaust gas aftertreatment systems (Particulate Filter, SCR with AdBlue), have significantly improved its performance and efficiency while reducing pollutant emissions, making it more complex but also cleaner than ever.
Supercharger
The supercharger is a mechanical forced induction system designed to increase the power and torque of an internal combustion engine. Unlike a turbocharger, which uses exhaust gas energy, the supercharger is driven directly by the engine via a belt connected to the crankshaft. Its role is to compress the intake air before it enters the cylinders. By forcing a greater volume of air (and therefore oxygen) into the combustion chamber, the engine can burn more fuel, resulting in a more powerful explosion and a significant increase in performance. One of the main advantages of the supercharger is its instant response: because it is mechanically linked to engine speed, it provides immediate boost without the turbo lag sometimes associated with turbochargers. There are several types of superchargers, the most common being the Roots type, the twin-screw type, and the centrifugal type, each offering different performance and efficiency characteristics. This technology is particularly popular in sports cars and muscle cars for its ability to deliver linear and predictable power across the entire RPM range.
Gasoline engine
The gasoline engine, also known as a spark-ignition engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that has been the heart of the majority of light vehicles for over a century. Its operating principle is based on the four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, combustion-expansion, and exhaust. During this cycle, a mixture of air and fuel (gasoline) is drawn into a cylinder, compressed by a piston, and then ignited by an electric spark generated by a spark plug. The resulting explosion pushes the piston back down, creating the mechanical energy required to propel the vehicle. Modern gasoline engines have evolved considerably, incorporating advanced technologies such as direct injection, turbocharging (downsizing), or mild hybridization. These innovations aim to improve efficiency, increase power, and reduce fuel consumption as well as pollutant emissions. Appreciated for its flexibility, responsiveness, and rapid revving, the gasoline engine offers high driving pleasure, particularly suited for dynamic driving and urban trips.
Bi-turbo
Bi-turbo technology, also known as "twin-turbo", is an engine supercharging system that uses two turbochargers instead of one. The main objective is to increase engine power and torque while reducing response time, or "turbo lag", often associated with large single turbochargers. There are several configurations of bi-turbo systems. The most common on V-engines is the parallel setup, where each turbocharger is fed by half of the engine's cylinders. Another configuration is the sequential setup, which uses a small turbo at low revs for quick response, and a larger turbo that takes over at high revs to deliver maximum power. This latter configuration provides a very broad and linear power curve. Finally, the staged setup combines both turbos to work together across the entire rev range. By optimizing the airflow admitted into the engine over a wider rev range, the bi-turbo system delivers top-tier performance, increased flexibility, and better fuel efficiency compared to a naturally aspirated engine of equivalent displacement.
Direct injection
Direct injection is an engine technology where fuel is injected at very high pressure directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder, rather than into the intake manifold as with indirect injection. This method allows for extremely precise control of the air-fuel mixture, both in terms of metering and injection timing. By spraying fuel directly into the cylinder, more efficient vaporization is achieved along with a cooling effect that increases the density of the intake air. This phenomenon allows for a higher compression ratio to be used without the risk of engine knock, resulting in more complete and efficient combustion. Initially popularized on diesel engines (with Common Rail technology), direct injection has become widely adopted in modern gasoline engines (GDI, FSI, THP, etc.) as part of downsizing strategies. It has become a technological pillar for manufacturers seeking to balance increasingly strict requirements regarding performance, fuel consumption, and pollutant emission reduction.