What is a turbocharger?

A turbocharger is a snail-shaped device that captures energy from spent exhaust gases and uses it to force more fresh air into an engine. Turbocharged engines can be smaller than non-turbo (naturally aspirated) engines, and can produce more power and better fuel efficiency than an equivalent naturally aspirated engine. The power is also available sooner, which helps acceleration and refinement. In non-turbo engines, you usually have to rev the engine hard to reach its maximum power.

The majority of modern cars feature one or more turbochargers, with exceptions typically being small, cheap cars and high-end sports cars – the latter because some enthusiasts prefer the response and noise of a naturally aspirated engine.