Turbocharger Types Explained: From Single to Electric!

We all love turbocharged engines for the excitement they provide, making supercar levels of performance available in relatively modest family saloons. But do you know which turbocharger setups are possible? Here are five examples.

Single turbo: Toyota Supra

The twenty twenty Toyota Supra comes with a three-point-zero litre inline-six engine with a single turbocharger. This setup helps generate significant power while keeping the vehicle relatively lightweight and affordable for its performance level.

Parallel twin turbo: Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is famous for its three-point-eight litre V-six engine with two parallel turbos. Each turbo feeds three cylinders, which gives excellent throttle response and reduces turbo lag, making it an icon of all-wheel-drive performance.

Sequential twin turbo: Mazda RX-seven

The Mazda RX-seven's one-point-three litre rotary engine uses a sequential twin-turbo setup. A smaller turbo works at low RPMs for quick boost, and a larger turbo takes over at higher RPMs, giving smooth and continuous power delivery.

Turbocharger plus supercharger: Volvo S-sixty T-six

The Volvo S-sixty T-six has a two-point-zero litre inline-four engine that uses both a turbocharger and a supercharger. The supercharger provides immediate low-end power, while the turbo takes over at higher RPMs to maximise performance and efficiency.

Electric turbo: Audi SQ-seven

The Audi SQ-seven has a four-point-zero litre V-eight diesel engine with an electric turbocharger, also called an "e-turbo". It provides instant boost with no lag, because an electric motor spins the turbo instead of exhaust gases. This makes it an innovative choice in the performance SUV segment.