Is 2013 the Year of the Turbo?
Forced induction systems have taken a whole new spin
as automotive companies press forward in perfecting the design and delivering
more turbo option vehicles. This allows for a more powerful and fuel efficient
car, while utilizing smaller, EPA friendly engines.
Hybrids and electrics get all the buzz when it comes
to MPG and 0-emissions. However, what consumers gain in MPG they lose in power
and performance; it’s usually a double edged-sword. The turbo is slowly but
surely making the best of both MPG and power, merging the best of both worlds.
How
do Turbochargers Work?
Think of a motor or an engine as a
giant air pump, the faster the air goes in and the faster the air goes out, the
faster and more efficient the motor can run. Turbochargers work by recycling
air from the vehicles exhaust system and redirecting it back into the motor via
the intake, putting the air in faster than the engine traditionally sucks it
in. This is called forced induction, and as a result more horsepower and torque
is gained without adding extra cylinders, which saves gas.
Who’s Hopping on the Bandwagon?
Over 14 automobile manufacturers have turbocharged
vehicles in their 2013 line up. Some of
them are known for their turbocharged sports sedans & coupes, such as
Subaru, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen. This year, several new manufacturers can be
added to the list, including Buick and Kia.
That’s right, Buick! Who could have imagined grandma or grandpa rolling
up in a turbocharged 220hp Regal, or a 250hp Verano. Automobile manufacturers
are beginning to perfect the efficiency of turbos and we, the consumers are
beginning to benefit. However, don’t walk away with the wrong message, we never
said turbos were better and more fuel efficient than hybrids, were just saying
it’s nice to be able to step on the gas pedal and feel performance without
worrying about the gas gauge dropping to empty. Below is a list of 2013 Turbo
Models.
Manufacturer
|
Model
|
Horsepower
|
Focus
Escape
Taurus
Fusion
|
178
240
385
184,
270
|
|
Veloster
Genesis
Sonata
|
201
274
274
|
|
WRX
STi
Forester
|
265
305
250
(2014)
|
|
Verano
Regal
|
250
220
|
|
Sonic
Cruze
Malibu
|
138
138
259
|
|
Evolution
|
291
|
|
ATS
|
272
|
|
Dart
|
160
|
|
Speed3
|
263
|
|
Mini
|
181
|
|
GTi
|
200
|
|
Optima
|
200
|
|
500
|
160
|