dcn@ihuxl.UUCP (Dave Newkirk) (02/22/84)
I own a turbocharged car and like it very much. A turbo is simply a way to get more horsepower from an engine. It uses the exhaust gas pressure to drive a small turbine, compressing the intake air before it reaches the cylinder. More air + more gas => bigger bang! This is an alternative to trying to stuff a larger engine into a car. Its advantages are: + same gas mileage as non-turbo engine when turbo is idle + same power as a larger engine + little additional weight or space used for turbo The disadvantages already mentioned in a previous article are mostly engineering problems that have been solved. The only significant one is the turbo lag, which varies from car to car. The newest designs use small turbos which can 'spin-up' very fast, and better engine technology to improve the non-turbo performance (initial acceleration from a standing start). Just ask Ford, GM, Chrysler, VW, Audi, Volvo, Saab, Lotus, Maserati, Nissan or Mitsubishi about turbos. Dave Newkirk, ihnp4!ihuxl!dcn