Automobiles

Greatest cars with supercharging or turbocharging

By effizziemag
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  • Slide 1 of 61: Turbocharged small-capacity engines have become the norm, turning the phrase that there's "no replacement for displacement" on its head.Smaller, lighter and more efficient, turbo engines are no longer the preserve of halo models, but there was a time when such technology was something to shout about. More than 30 years before the first turbocharged car was introduced, the supercars of the 1920s featured supercharging instead. Here we look at some of the great cars with forced induction and picking only 60 contenders took a lot of self control…
  • Slide 2 of 61: The last car designed by Ferry Porsche before setting up his own company to make sports cars, the SSK was a true racer for the road. It could manage 120mph thanks to a supercharged 7-litre straight-six that developed 300 hp.
  • Slide 3 of 61: WO Bentley despised forced induction, which is why the first 'Blower Bentleys' were created independently of the factory. With a supercharged 4.5-litre engine, fuel consumption was a frightening 2.5 MPG at 100mph, and the cars were hideously unreliable, but that hasn't stopped Bentley producing 12 recreations. That's three times as many as were originally built.
  • Slide 4 of 61: The Bugatti Veyron of its day, Duesenbergs were for the super rich only. With its 320 hp supercharged straight-eight, the SJ could top 130mph, at a time when most family cars could manage barely 50mph from 40 hp.
  • Slide 5 of 61: This was the world's first production turbocharged car. With 215 hp and a 110mph top speed, the Turbo was much quicker than the standard Cutlass, but it was terribly unreliable which is why just 3765 were built.
  • Slide 6 of 61: In its quest to offer the first production turbocharged car, Chevrolet was just pipped to the post by another GM division, but that didn't matter. For 1962 the Corvair Monza was offerd with a turbo kit, to give 150 hp. When this turbocharger kit was specified the car became known as the Spyder.
  • Slide 7 of 61: The Manta was Opel's answer to Ford's Capri, and while it never sold in such large numbers as its high-profile rival, it definitely had the style. The Manta had the poke too, once Broadspeed had bolted a turbo to the 1.9-litre four-pot, but just 28 of these officially sanctioned conversions were produced.
  • Slide 8 of 61: Many people reckon this was the world's first turbocharged car, but it arrived a decade too late for that – although it was Europe's first production turbocharged car. It looked the part with those sporty decals and it was fast too, but the turbo lag was nothing short of shocking. Just 1672 were made in a two-year production run (1973-74).
  • Slide 9 of 61: The word 'iconic' doesn't even begin to sum up the 911 Turbo, which is one of the most usable supercars ever created. But early ones were tricky to drive, with huge turbo lag and wayward dynamics. Nowadays all 911s are turbocharged and the rear-engined legend is one of the world's finest sports cars that can be used every day.
  • Slide 10 of 61: Although forced-induction diesels had been built decades before for commercial use, this was the world's first production turbodiesel passenger car. The 300 SD was powered by a three-litre five-cylinder engine but it was offered only in the US.
  • Slide 11 of 61: The Mercedes C-111 was powered by a three-litre supercharged five-cylinder diesel engine and it averaged 198.7mph over 100 miles and 195.3mph over 12 hours. Running at the Nardo test track, it claimed a raft of records, including eight for vehicles with any type of engine.
  • Slide 12 of 61: Arguably the first ever mainstream production turbocharged car that was genuinely usable rather than too peaky to drive every day. The 147 hp 2.0-liter four-pot was powerful enough to take the 99 all the way to 124mph; in time Saab would become renowned for its turbocharging expertise.
  • Slide 13 of 61: With the Americans suddenly all fuel-conscious, Mercedes had launched its 300 SD for the Federal market, leaving Europe wide open. Peugeot seized the opportunity and was first to sell a turbodiesel car in Europe; its 604. The 2.3-liter engine produced just 80 hp.
  • Slide 14 of 61: When the Quattro's blown five-pot was blended with four-wheel drive, the combination proved nothing less than devastating in competition. Until now, 4WD had been for off-roading; the Quattro changed that forever, as you'll shortly see…
  • Slide 15 of 61: While everybody else got a normally aspirated 3-liter V8, in Italy Ferrari buyers got a turbocharged 2.0-liter unit, so the car could escape the punitive tax laws which hammered any car with an engine over two liters. The 154 hp 208 GTB could do 134mph; the 308 alternative was rated at 255 hp and 157mph.
  • Slide 16 of 61: Bolting a turbo to the Esprit proved to be the making of this flying wedge, which had never really delivered the performance that those looks promised. With a turbo in place, a genuine 150mph was finally achievable.
  • Slide 17 of 61: Supposedly an alternative to more mainstream sober-suited German machinery, the Biturbo was the world's first production car with a twin-turbo engine. But the car was always too costly and too badly made to compete. That twin-turbo V6 certainly gave the car some pace though…
  • Slide 18 of 61: You'd think a 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 would have poke aplenty, but Bristol strapped on a turbo for a bit more urge anyway; the first time it had ever done so. Few were made though; Bristol owners aren't speed merchants.
  • Slide 19 of 61: The eighties was the decade of the aftermarket turbo conversion and there were few as unlikely as this; a boosted version of the geriatric's favorite, the Triumph Acclaim. This was as mild-mannered a sedan as you'd find in the early 1980s, but once Avon had bolted on a turbo to give 106 hp (an increase of 50% over standard), things got interesting.
  • Slide 20 of 61: Whereas the more popular Sierra was rear-wheel drive, the Escort Mk3 was front-wheel drive, making for some interesting dynamics at full tilt. Offered in white only, with a bodykit, this really was a child of the eighties.
  • Slide 21 of 61: The prettiest of the Group B cars, the T16 shared virtually nothing with the standard 205 as it was essentially just a facsimile of Peugeot's best-seller. However, just like with the standard 205, lift-off oversteer could be lethal…
  • Slide 22 of 61: This was a big deal for Saab when it debuted in 1984. Not only did the 16S pack a 177 hp turbocharged and intercooled 16-valve engine (giving 130mph), but it looked the part too thanks to a stylish bodykit that gave the car a more rounded appearance.
  • Slide 23 of 61: First came the Mulsanne Turbo, but the arrival of the Turbo R in 1985 heralded a fresh start for Bentley. No longer was it seen as merely a rebadged Roller, although that's all it was of course, albeit with much development to turn it into the world's fastest drawing room.
  • Slide 24 of 61: The Uno Turbo packed a mere 1299cc and just 106 hp, but thanks to its low 2035 lb of weight there was a tempting 127mph on offer and brilliant agility – this really was the antidote to the 'no substitute for cubic inches' argument. Being Italian it rotted, but it was a blast to drive before it dissolved.
  • Slide 25 of 61: Loved by thieves everywhere, the Sierra RS Cosworth was fast, tunable and highly nickable, which is why many were stolen then set on fire. Just 207 hp was on tap, but that was a lot of power back in 1986.
  • Slide 26 of 61: Renault's response to the Peugeot 205 GTi, the GT Turbo wasn't the first turbocharged 5 – that was the mental mid-engined Turbo 1 of 1978. This new Turbo was almost normal; it had just 117 hp but weighed a mere 1870 lb so was an absolute riot to drive.
  • Slide 27 of 61: Where would TVR have been without the Rover V8, during its wedge era of the 1980s? This one featured a 3.5-liter unit and was supercharged by TVR dealer Haughins, to give 274 hp and a top speed of 145mph. We wonder if Haughins actually sold any.
  • Slide 28 of 61: This baby Integrale from Japan has long been unfairly overlooked, as it was decently quick, great to drive, practical and reliable; the 151 hp 1.6-liter engine gave a top speed of 124mph. Shame everyone was too busy watching the Lancia instead; now the 323 has all but disappeared.
  • Slide 29 of 61: The SS1 was initially something of a missed opportunity, with its awkward styling and lame performance thanks to the fitment of Ford 1.4 or 1.6 CVH engines. The turning point came when Reliant fitted Nissan's 1.8 turbo; the SS1 was transformed, but it was too little, too late.
  • Slide 30 of 61: This anonymous five-door hatch carried various name plates in markets around the world, including the Chrysler/Simca/Talbot Horizon in Europe, but in the US it was the Dodge Omni. Carroll Shelby introduced the GLH (Goes Like Hell) hot edition in 1984, a turbocharged version of this from 1985 (the GLH-T), then in 1986 came the ultimate edition; the GLHS (Goes Like Hell Some more), with a 175bhp 2.2-litre engine.
  • Slide 31 of 61: Although the world's first turbocharged productions cars were from the US, American car makers stuck almost exclusively with naturally aspirated big-displacement engines. One of the few exceptions was this, the (conservatively rated) 280 hp Buick GNX which could accelerate quicker than a Ferrari Testarossa.
  • Slide 32 of 61: The F40 is only one of the most exciting road cars ever created and the last car to be signed off by Enzo Ferrari before he died in 1988. Ferrari planned to build just 400 of these 478 hp slingshots, but by the time the last one was made the tally was 1315 – making the F40 a lot less rare than you think. Still hugely valuable though
  • Slide 33 of 61: The only real-world car that ever came close to giving the Audi Quattro a run for its money, the Integrale was descended from the humble Delta of 1979, ensuring ample practicality to go with the searing pace. It would go on to dominate the World Rally Championship.
  • Slide 34 of 61: You'd be hard-pressed to argue that the Maestro was remotely desirable but there was an exception; this blown and body-kitted version which must be the most unlikely hot hatch hero ever devised. With a revised chassis, this was the only Maestro that was truly fun to drive – and quick too with a 0-60mph time of just 6.7 seconds. Only 505 were made.
  • Slide 35 of 61: The original 300ZX, the Z31 of 1983, was something of a joke thanks to its naff styling and lame performance. But there was nothing funny about the Z32 that followed, with its twin-turbo V6 that pushed out over 300 hp.
  • Slide 36 of 61: Everyone was too busy cooing over the Lancia Integrale in the early 1990s, to notice this seriously talented piece of kit built for Group A racing, which was sold in many markets as the Pulsar. There was four-wheel drive and a 213 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.
  • Slide 37 of 61: In a world devoid of Audi RSs and AMG Mercs, the Lotus Carlton was a breath of fresh air. Packing a 382 hp twin-turbo straight-six to give a 177mph top speed, this was the ultimate super-sedan of the period. It was sold as an Opel in mainland Europe.
  • Slide 38 of 61: Bugatti has never known the meaning of the word 'moderation', which is why the EB110 was fitted with no fewer than four turbochargers, 60 valves and 12 cylinders. The result was a claimed 213mph, although this would seem positively tame compared with what the brand would produce later on, under Volkswagen ownership.
  • Slide 39 of 61: Pick-ups have long been popular in the US for their towing abilities and brilliant practicality, but the GMC Syclone turned this on its head. It had a lugging capacity of just 500 lb (227kg) but nobody cared; much more interesting was its ability to do 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, courtesy of a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 engine and permanent four-wheel drive.
  • Slide 40 of 61: Proving once again that there is a substitute for cubic inches, Suzuki crammed in plenty of technology topped off with a turbocharger and intercooler as its alternative. That's how you get 64 hp from just 657cc, and while the Cappuccino wasn't quick (0-60mph in 11.3 seconds, 93mph top speed), it was a hoot to drive.
  • Slide 41 of 61: All Evos featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive. The first models had just 250 hp, but power outputs would grow to as much as 411 hp. When Mitsubishi launched the Evo just 2500 examples were available – and the model sold out in just three days.
  • Slide 42 of 61: In the eyes of some, Chris Bangle hasn't produced many masterpieces, but this is undoubtedly one of them. Fast, neat and with distinctive looks, the Coupé was the most powerful (and fastest) front-wheel drive car of its era, with its 220 hp output and 155mph ability.
  • Slide 43 of 61: The first-generation RX-7 was okay as a sports car, but it wasn't until the third take on the model that things got serious, thanks to the addition of two turbochargers for the rotary powerplant – enough to give 280 hp. But sales proved elusive and now the RX-7 is seriously rare.
  • Slide 44 of 61: It began as a range-topper for the Celica line up, but from 1986 the Supra became a model in its own right. It wasn't until 1993 that the first turbocharged car appeared though; with 324 hp, there was 170mph on offer.
  • Slide 45 of 61: Subaru used to be seen as a builder of go-anywhere pick-ups for farmers, then the Impreza arrived and everything changed. With pace, poise, grip and reliability, the Impreza didn't take long to dominate the World Rally Championship.
  • Slide 46 of 61: Jaguar had offered an XJR in its line up ever since the XJ40 variant of 1989, but it wasn't supercharged. The first XJR with a blower was the X300 edition of 1995; in fact, this was Jaguar's first ever supercharged car and it offered a genuine alternative to the all-conquering BMW M5.
  • Slide 47 of 61: It may have been boxy and bland, but the T5-R was also a serious roadburner thanks to a 253 hp five-cylinder engine and a chassis that provided much more fun than you'd think. Sedans and wagons were offered, with the car proving such a success that Volvo extended the production run; 6964 were made in all.
  • Slide 48 of 61: If it's raw driving sensations you're after, few cars deliver like an Ariel Atom. With its minimal bodywork the Atom weighs less than half a ton – yet its supercharged Honda or GM engines offer up to 304 hp, which is enough to make a Caterham seem rather anaemic…
  • Slide 49 of 61: Aston Martin's Virage was given a lukewarm reception when it was unveiled in 1988, but the frog turned into a prince with the arrival of the V600 a decade later. A twin-supercharged V8 gave 608 hp and a 200mph top speed.
  • Slide 50 of 61: If you're after a devastating track day weapon and you're on a budget (although values are climbing), don't bother looking elsewhere, just buy one of these. Superb to drive and ridiculously quick, the VX220 Turbo's Elise roots are all too obvious. It was sold as an Opel in Europe.
  • Slide 51 of 61: The Sloane Ranger is loved and hated in equal measure, but you can't deny that it's a classy bit of kit despite its footballer connotations. The Range Rover is even more classy when it's got a supercharged V8 in the nose, rather than one of those noisy turbodiesels.
  • Slide 53 of 61: If you want the proof that you can never have too much power, here it is. A handy 730 hp could propel the Mercedes CLS-based Brabus Rocket and its four occupants to 225mph in comfort; and all for a mere $400,000.
  • Slide 54 of 61: Even the standard Monaro was pretty swift, as you'd expect with a car packing a 6.0-liter V8. But this run-out special also featured a supercharger to give 507 hp and 500 LB-FT of torque. We'll take ours in yellow please.
  • Slide 55 of 61: The current R35 edition is the latest in a long line of Nissan GT-Rs that have offered drivers supernatural abilities with astonishing reliability, despite the incredible complexity. Launched as long ago as 2007 with 480 hp, the Nismo halo model that arrived in 2014 packed a massive 600 hp punch – enough to take the coupé to over 200mph.
  • Slide 56 of 61: Bentley's 6.75-liter V8 is a beast of an engine, but strap a pair of turbochargers to it and the thing turns into a true monster. In the Brooklands there was a ridiculous 774 LB-FT of torque on offer, which is probably enough for this handsome and luxurious coupé.
  • Slide 57 of 61: With a $250k price tag, the M600 is guaranteed to be exclusive. When it was launched Noble reckoned it would be making 50 cars each year, for the UK market only, but this Volvo-powered supercar has turned out to be a lot more exclusive than that…
  • Slide 58 of 61: The Bugatti Veyron was one of those ultimate cars that by definition, comes along only very occasionally. It redefined the term 'hypercar' so when its successor was developed it had to move the game on significantly. The Chiron arguably does that with a completely tractable 1500 hp quad-turbo powerplant – which powered a pre-production car all the way to 304.773mph in 2019. Perfect for when you really need to get to the supermarket in a hurry.
  • Slide 59 of 61: To score five stars in an Autocar road test a car has to be deeply special, but the final Focus RS did exactly that on account of its everyday usability, searing pace and brilliantly entertaining chassis. Which only makes it all the more tragic that Ford won't be building any more Focus RSs after the third-generation edition.
  • Slide 60 of 61: The Golf GTi first surfaced in 1975, but it wasn't until 1997 that the first turbocharged edition appeared; the Mk4 1.8T. After that the Golf GTi got better with each generation, but we're opting for the latest Mk8 edition not because it's a cutting-edge driver's car (although it's deeply impressive), but because it's one of the most well-rounded turbocharged cars that you can buy.
  • Slide 61 of 61: Of course we're cheating a bit (well, quite a lot) with this one as the Taycan has no turbos, despite its name. But it's here because this deeply impressive five-star Porsche proves that enthusiast drivers have nothing to fear from electricity being the fuel of the future. Who needs turbochargers anyway…?
 The Golf GTi first surfaced in 1975, but it wasn’t until 1997 that the first turbocharged edition appeared; the Mk4 1.8T. After that the Golf GTi got better with each generation, but we’re opting for the latest Mk8 edition not because it’s a cutting-edge driver’s car (although it’s deeply impressive), but because it’s one of the most well-rounded turbocharged cars that you can buy.

 

VW Golf GTi Mk8 (2020)

The Golf GTi first surfaced in 1975, but it wasn’t until 1997 that the first turbocharged edition appeared; the Mk4 1.8T. After that the Golf GTi got better with each generation, but we’re opting for the latest Mk8 edition not because it’s a cutting-edge driver’s car (although it’s deeply impressive), but because it’s one of the most well-rounded turbocharged cars that you can buy.

 

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