The Evolution of Turbo: From Performance to Efficiency

There was a time when turbo meant fast and powerful. It was like writing "turbo" on a car, a Hoover, or even a fridge. In the 1980s, turbo was everything. However, today's turbo is more about efficiency and speed, rather than performance alone. The focus has shifted from increased power to reducing fuel consumption and lowering carbon dioxide emissions.

This shift in approach can be seen in the latest Porsche 718 Boxster. Instead of a flat six engine, this new model features a flat four engine with a turbocharger that displaces two and a half liters. This engine is more powerful than the previous Boxster S, producing 345 horsepower. The sound of this engine is similar to that of a Subaru WRX or a Cayman GT4, but it's worth noting that the 4-cylinder sound may not be as desirable as the traditional 6-cylinder sound.

The only panel that remains unchanged in the new Boxster is the boot deck. However, the front suspension has been modified to come off the same 911 Turbo parts as the Cayman GT4. The steering system has also been improved, with a response that's about 10% quicker than before. Additionally, the rear suspension has undergone changes inspired by the Cayman GT4, resulting in a more agile and responsive handling.

The engine itself is not without its quirks. When started, it takes only six miles per hour to get moving, making for a relatively quiet start-up experience. However, as you put your foot down, the turbocharger kicks in, producing over 300 pounds of torque at 1,900 revs. This is still a relatively low rev range compared to traditional sports cars with naturally aspirated engines.

However, even with this lower rev range, the Boxster's engine delivers an impressive performance. Even in second gear, it's possible to reach speeds above the legal limit in the UK. The addition of a sports exhaust system further enhances the driving experience, making the car sound like a true performance vehicle.

Despite some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of traditional 6-cylinder sound and the need for two more cylinders and one less table, the Porsche 718 Boxster remains an exceptional sports car. Its spread of power makes it incredibly easy to drive, with the front and rear handling working seamlessly together to create a responsive and engaging driving experience.

It's worth noting that the shift towards turbocharged engines is inevitable in today's world of environmentally conscious driving. With manufacturers constantly striving to reduce emissions, the use of turbochargers has become more widespread. However, this also means that traditional sports cars with naturally aspirated engines are becoming less common.

In recent years, Porsche has moved away from traditional naturally aspirated engines and towards more modern powertrains. This includes electric power steering, which was introduced to reduce emissions while maintaining the car's handling and performance. While some may complain about the loss of character in this new technology, there's no denying that it's an effective way for manufacturers to meet emissions targets.

Ultimately, the Porsche 718 Boxster is a testament to the evolution of turbo technology. From its humble beginnings as a symbol of speed and power to its current role as a efficient and environmentally friendly driving experience, the turbo has come a long way. As manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of innovation, it will be interesting to see how this technology continues to shape the future of sports cars.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthere was a time when turbo meant fast and powerful they like turbo on a car then write it on a Hoover that even sometimes write it on a fridge in the 1980s turbo was everything today not so much today the turbo is more about efficiency and speed it's more about increasing fuel consumption lowering carbon dioxide emissions that it isn't necessarily about performance like this this is the new Porsche 718 the new Boxster to you and me and that is the noise or a flat four rather than a flat six engine with the turbo charges two and a half litre it is more powerful than the Boxster S it replaces it's got 345 brake rather than 311 never listen to it that's not unlike a Subaru WRX or slightly Miele bah humbag actually it's very much a 4-cylinder sound nor 6-cylinder sound will that matter well it might we'll come to that in a minute so what else is new about the 718 Boxster 718 Boxster Boxster will we just end up calling a pollster who knows where everything outside the only panel that remains unchanged is that is the boot deck the deck of the back front suspension comes off the 911 turbo to the steering is about 10% quicker than it was before - rear suspension has changed as the elements of Cayman gt4 it should be something this one's an S or KS XS is 20 mil lower again it's on 20's it's a pretty racy spec for a Boxster actually and what you might avert is not a lot from the engine the boat immediately just cruised up six miles an hour not making a great deal of noise not make great deal of drama because as well as 350 rate which come to man six a half now it's got over 300 pounds full torque and that comes in at nineteen hundred reps now 1900 revs is not very high for a sports car engine to deliver Big Talk is it so suddenly experiment so slow down third gear to just die around 30 miles an ounce 2,000 rpm turn foot down and it does take a while there is that little delay for the turbo start to school in a way it goes but tell you what once you're above 3000 there is not much in the way of turbo lag and like the previous generation monster which just had a sweet flat six that would Rev to the heavens it's actually yes a fair way and is quite rangy as well rent a seven and a half and even in second gear we'll get above the speed of the legal limit in the UK so I've got a sports exhaust and I've got a sports exhaust on does that sound like the sports car to you sure it really sounds like a portion to be honest with you miles to the gallon I'm enjoying the steering and I'm enjoying the handling enjoy the sweet gearshift - sweet balance agile the front and the rear just work as one it steers quite sweetly so much you can afford to lose that soul and involvement of the engine and get replaced with this slight drone but it's effective rather than involving in my mind no doubt this is still one of the greatest out the doc sports cars you can buy no question am i enjoying that motor I think I'd be enjoying it if it had two more cylinders and one less table and you complain about it it's inevitable Ferrari I've got sober judge motors everybody's got turbocharged motors can you you know you can't reduce emissions co2 enough without putting a turbocharger on it it's a bit of a shame I think was it ever different with Porsches every time you get a Porsche they move to water calling and complain I moved to electric power steering complain but the cars no question get better objectively overall they get cleaner they get more efficient they get faster they get more capable do they get slightly less evolving with it they might do I have a feeling with moved from six to four cylinders and the noise this car makes that was one of the more significant slightly negative changes that we've had to get used to is Porsches this is still a great car that is still a fantastic sports back and the spread of power makes it a very easy car to drive swiftly just scream so glad you slightly less that I did before and that's a little bit of a shamethere was a time when turbo meant fast and powerful they like turbo on a car then write it on a Hoover that even sometimes write it on a fridge in the 1980s turbo was everything today not so much today the turbo is more about efficiency and speed it's more about increasing fuel consumption lowering carbon dioxide emissions that it isn't necessarily about performance like this this is the new Porsche 718 the new Boxster to you and me and that is the noise or a flat four rather than a flat six engine with the turbo charges two and a half litre it is more powerful than the Boxster S it replaces it's got 345 brake rather than 311 never listen to it that's not unlike a Subaru WRX or slightly Miele bah humbag actually it's very much a 4-cylinder sound nor 6-cylinder sound will that matter well it might we'll come to that in a minute so what else is new about the 718 Boxster 718 Boxster Boxster will we just end up calling a pollster who knows where everything outside the only panel that remains unchanged is that is the boot deck the deck of the back front suspension comes off the 911 turbo to the steering is about 10% quicker than it was before - rear suspension has changed as the elements of Cayman gt4 it should be something this one's an S or KS XS is 20 mil lower again it's on 20's it's a pretty racy spec for a Boxster actually and what you might avert is not a lot from the engine the boat immediately just cruised up six miles an hour not making a great deal of noise not make great deal of drama because as well as 350 rate which come to man six a half now it's got over 300 pounds full torque and that comes in at nineteen hundred reps now 1900 revs is not very high for a sports car engine to deliver Big Talk is it so suddenly experiment so slow down third gear to just die around 30 miles an ounce 2,000 rpm turn foot down and it does take a while there is that little delay for the turbo start to school in a way it goes but tell you what once you're above 3000 there is not much in the way of turbo lag and like the previous generation monster which just had a sweet flat six that would Rev to the heavens it's actually yes a fair way and is quite rangy as well rent a seven and a half and even in second gear we'll get above the speed of the legal limit in the UK so I've got a sports exhaust and I've got a sports exhaust on does that sound like the sports car to you sure it really sounds like a portion to be honest with you miles to the gallon I'm enjoying the steering and I'm enjoying the handling enjoy the sweet gearshift - sweet balance agile the front and the rear just work as one it steers quite sweetly so much you can afford to lose that soul and involvement of the engine and get replaced with this slight drone but it's effective rather than involving in my mind no doubt this is still one of the greatest out the doc sports cars you can buy no question am i enjoying that motor I think I'd be enjoying it if it had two more cylinders and one less table and you complain about it it's inevitable Ferrari I've got sober judge motors everybody's got turbocharged motors can you you know you can't reduce emissions co2 enough without putting a turbocharger on it it's a bit of a shame I think was it ever different with Porsches every time you get a Porsche they move to water calling and complain I moved to electric power steering complain but the cars no question get better objectively overall they get cleaner they get more efficient they get faster they get more capable do they get slightly less evolving with it they might do I have a feeling with moved from six to four cylinders and the noise this car makes that was one of the more significant slightly negative changes that we've had to get used to is Porsches this is still a great car that is still a fantastic sports back and the spread of power makes it a very easy car to drive swiftly just scream so glad you slightly less that I did before and that's a little bit of a shame\n"