Turbo Cars - Why They're a Fuel Efficient Alternative

When it comes to buying a new car, there’s no need to fear the word ‘turbo’ and the fuel hungry, boy racer stigma attached to them. Thanks to clever updates in engine technology, they’re a very efficient alternative to boosting a car’s power without guzzling the gas.

When considering lowering emissions and increasing fuel economy, a turbocharged engine can give you all the benefits of owning a smaller car with the performance of a much larger one.

How does a turbo engine work?

Turbocharged engines, like Suzuki’s BoosterJet, differ from standard engines in that they make use of wasted exhaust gases to force more air into the intake valve. While naturally-aspirated or regular petrol vehicles rely on natural air pressure to draw air into the engine, turbos speed up this process, forcing more air into the cylinders and producing power more economically.

With a turbocharger, your car or SUV can have a smaller engine and use less fuel when coasting or in stop-and-go traffic. When you need it to quickly accelerate, the turbocharger kicks in and gives you that extra power needed to glide up hills and overtake when necessary.

Adding a turbo to a small engine, like the Suzuki S-Cross, adds to the overall Kilowatt (kW) power output. A standard 1.4 litre engine might have 75Kw of power, combine that with a turbo and that figure can jump to 103kW. This would mean 17kW more than a non-turbo 1.6 litre engine of the same vehicle range.

Benefits of turbo technology

Fuel Efficiency

As a turbocharger enables a small engine to produce the same power output as a larger, naturally-aspirated engine, this means you can have a compact, lighter and more economical engine in the same sized car instead. 

Reduced Noise Level

From the roar of the engine to the wind volume, driving can result in a lot of road noise. One of the most unexpected benefits of a turbo is that they are noticeably quieter than a regular engine. As the air in a turbocharged engine is filtered through more pipes and components, the intake and exhaust noise is reduced and refined, making for a quieter and smoother ride.

Size and Weight

The heavier the weight of your car, the more fuel you need to go the same distance as a smaller car. A turbocharged engine is smaller and lighter thanks to the reduction of cubic capacity, which means that you get the fuel efficiency and handling ability of a smaller car.

As a bonus, the smaller dimension of the turbo engine also makes room for other benefits – like more storage, bigger boot space, and increased legroom.

Power and Performance

Even on the smallest engines like the Swift RS or Swift Sport, turbochargers produce more torque, particularly lower down the rev range. This means you get strong, punchy performance, which is perfect for cruising around town and for making the car feel smoother and more refined when going faster on the open road or motorway.

Things to consider when changing

Efficiency vs Driving Style

When you are switching from an ordinary engine to a turbocharged one, you may need to adjust your driving style to maintain good efficiency, particularly when setting off. Ease off and apply pressure on the accelerator gently for when a turbocharger is ‘on boost’, which is when the cylinders burn fuel more quickly.

Keeping Within The Speed Limit

As a turbocharged car is quieter and more responsive, you may need to keep a closer eye on the speedometer as it can easily creep up and over the limit. Use cruise control and speed limiter functions to keep your speed in check while you get used to the feel of the car, or you may be facing a speeding ticket or two.

Type of Petrol

As a turbo engine works at greater pressures when the turbo boost is on, the need to prevent ‘engine knock’ is even greater than a regular engine. Knocking or pinging is when pockets of the fuel-air mixture in an engine’s cylinder ignite as a result of heat and pressure rather than a spark (plug).

A higher octane fuel, such as 95 RON and above is necessary to prevent costly repairs and ensure the longevity and performance of a turbocharged car.

Having said that, premium fuel commonly contains additives not used in lower grades, that help clean the combustion chamber. And, while it appears using regular fuel saves you money, you are using more fuel or going fewer kilometres on each litre of fuel.

When you're ready for a vehicle that is fuel efficient, low emitting, light on the noise, and punches above its size and weight for performance, then opt for BoosterJet turbo from Suzuki. Check out our Complete Guide to Buying a New Car for more information to help you find the vehicle that suits your needs.