The rise of the turbo

Last month, we took a close look at several turbocharged performance cars, including the new Porsche 718 Boxster and the Ferrari 488 GTB, so we asked for your thoughts on the proliferation of turbos. Here’s what you said…

For me they do nothing for a performance car but rob it of its soul. Turbos have a place and I am glad they exist, but while I can choose a fun car without them, I will. Life is not just about big numbers to shout about in the pub. You need the visceral memories that only all your senses combined can generate. Markcoopers

My second car was a Metro Turbo – properly old-school in its power delivery. Modern electronics have taken the fun out of turbos. If you look at the torque curve of many ‘downsized’ turbo lumps it’s often a torque plateau, presumably a) to tame the power delivery and b) so that it doesn’t tread on the toes of other models higher up the range. _Who_

Old-school boost is a riot, but it’s neither safe in terms of what most modern end users require, nor efficient. That said, I’ve never had so much fun in a car as in a Renault 5 GT Turbo with a large T28 turbo on it: wait, wait, wait, oh here it comes, booooooooooooooooooooooooooost! andybond

Performance car or not, I suspect natural aspiration will vanish just as carburettors did. Nostalgia cannot save an outdated technology, no matter how lovely it could be. And performance cars have to be up-to- date. Obsolete features can be enjoyed on classic cars. pilouil

It’s a last gasp from an obsolete form of propulsion. Si_

It’ll all be EVS soon enough and we’ll miss anything internal combustion, so enjoy it while you can, folks! Barry

I have no problems at all with turbos. Current technology means engineers can fill gaps in the rev range and adjust the delivery. The negative is that they force capacity and cylinder count down. The former isn’t necessarily an issue. The latter is. mik

I like them and given the efficiency benefits they’re not going anywhere, I think. Development, like for the Chiron, will make them better, faster and more efficient to the point where you’ll get all the benefits without the downsides. They’ll figure out how to make something that sounds good, revs like an NA engine and provides the kind of thrill we want. Deskjockey

Add electric in-fill and they make a huge amount of sense: loads of power from a small unit, useful low- down shove and low consumption when just plodding. But for people who love driving there is nothing like a great NA engine screaming to the red line. Facefirst

Turbos suck. And also blow. rlaw22