How does a Turbo Engine in Cars Works?

Most four-wheeler insurance providers will charge you extra to cover a car with a turbo engine in India. There are some insurance companies that may even refuse to provide you with a quote. Such cars are seen as riskier and more likely to result in a car insurance claim. This is true even if you do not intend to race with your four-wheeler.

You might be wondering if it is still worthwhile to buy a turbo-engine car. Well, the easiest way to assess if you can afford any vehicle insurance price increase is to speak with a reputable insurance provider before purchasing it. It will help you anticipate any monthly expense increases.

At Tata AIG, we are always here to assist you, helping you budget from the beginning and part ways with your worries regarding an increase in insurance price. You may then decide if you may afford or feel comfortable spending the additional price to obtain it.

Without further ado, let us now look at what a turbo engine means and how it works. Continue reading to learn more.

Well, if you are thinking, "what is a turbo engine?" — let us tell you that a turbo engine is basically an internal combustion engine leveraged in vehicles that are equipped with a turbocharger.

As a result, they are also referred to as turbocharged engines. It is installed in a vehicle's engine in order to enhance overall performance and efficiency. This is the reason why most car manufacturers are opting to turbocharge their four-wheelers. Toyota Fortuner, Mahindra XUV700, and Tata Nexon are some of the best turbo engine cars that are equipped with turbocharged engines for improved drivability and performance.

Continue reading the next section of the blog to learn how a turbocharger functions.

The first turbocharger was created in the late 1800s by German inventor Gottlieb Daimler, but they didn't gain popularity until after World War I when aircraft manufacturers began installing them to supply power to engines running at higher altitudes, where the air is thinner.

Turbochargers were first utilised in four-wheeler engines in the year 1961 when Oldsmobile employed a rudimentary turbo to improve the power of a 3.5L V8 engine. Saab invented a new, more efficient turbo system in 1984, and with a few adjustments and alterations, this design is still the most prevalent turbocharger layout today.

A turbo is made out of a shaft along with a turbine wheel at one end as well as a compressor wheel at the other. These are encased in a snail-shaped casing with an input aperture through which waste-exhaust gases take entry at high pressure. As air travels via the turbine, the turbine turns, and the compressor revolves with it, pulling up massive amounts of compressed air and releasing it via the outlet port.

The compressed air is sent back into the cylinders through a conduit via an intercooler, cooling the air prior to it reaching the cylinders. Because turbos operate at such high speeds (of a maximum of 250,000 revolutions per minute), they usually include an oil cooling system to keep them cool. Most systems also have a 'wastegate' valve, which is intended to drain surplus gas away from the turbocharger as soon as the engine generates too much boost, averting turbine damage by lowering the rotational speed.

Turbocharged engines are distinguished from regular engines by using discarded exhaust gases to draw additional air into the intake valve. Whilst a naturally-aspirated engine depends on natural air pressure in order to draw air into the engine, turbos accelerate this process, resulting in greater power produced at a lower cost.

Turbochargers provide a variety of benefits, which is why they are so prevalent in modern vehicles. The key benefits of a turbocharged engine are as follows:

• Economy

Since turbochargers may deliver the same power output as bigger, naturally-aspirated engines, lighter, economical, and smaller engines can be used. All current diesel vehicles now include a turbocharger, which improves fuel efficiency and lowers pollutants.

• Power

Well, turbos provide greater power in the same engine size. This is because each piston stroke provides more power than in normally-aspirated engines. This implies that smaller, turbocharged engines are replacing bigger, less efficient ones in most four-wheelers.

• Quiet Engines

The exhaust noise and intake of a car with a turbocharged engine are refined and reduced since the air is filtered via more components and pipes, resulting in a smoother and quieter engine noise - arguably one of the most surprising perks of a turbocharged engine.

• Performance and Torque

Turbochargers provide higher torque even on the smallest engines, especially at lower revs. This results in automobiles with powerful, snappy performance, which is wonderful in town and makes the engine seem more refined at greater speeds on highways and roads. Because of the torque they create, compact turbocharged engines can outperform four-wheelers equipped with bigger, naturally-aspirated engines at low speeds.

While turbo engines are becoming increasingly popular, they do have certain drawbacks, which we've detailed here:

• Turbo Lag

Well, turbo lag occurs when the engine is not producing sufficient exhaust gas in order to rotate the turbo's intake turbine quickly. This occurs only when the four-wheeler is driven forcefully or from a closed throttle piston. Manufacturers of high-performance vehicles avoid turbo lag by using two turbochargers with different geometries rather than one large one with only a single turbine.

• Expensive Repair Costs

Turbochargers complicate an engine, as do a slew of other components beneath the hood that might fail or develop flaws. These issues can be costly to repair and can have an influence on other components if they fail.

• Driving Style vs Efficiency

To achieve the advertised efficiency ratings of a turbocharged engine, precise throttle control is required, with the accelerator not being pressed too hard. When a turbocharger is turned on, the cylinders burn gasoline more quickly, resulting in low efficiency. Drivers transitioning from a normally aspirated vehicle to a turbocharged vehicle may need to modify their driving style to retain high economy, especially when initially starting out.

Here is some popular turbo-engine cars list in India:

• Tata Nexon
• Mahindra Thar
• Toyota Fortuner
• Hyundai Creta
• Mahindra XUV 700
• Kia Seltos
• Mahindra Scorpio-N
• Hyundai Venue
• Mahindra Bolero
• Tata Harrier
• Mahindra XUV300
• Land Rover Range Rover
• Hyundai i20
• Kia Sonet
• Hyundai Verna
• MG Hector
• Tata Altroz
• Citroen C3
• Hyundai Tucson
• Nissan Magnite
• Land Rover Defender
• Skoda Kushaq
• Tata Safari
• Mercedes Benz GLA
• Lamborghini Urus
• Renault Kiger

Modern four-cylinder engines produce roughly the same amount of power as old-school V8s while giving improved gas consumption, thanks to turbochargers. Many manufacturers have recently moved to turbocharge their cars; even Ford has fitted smaller turbocharged engines to their F-150 pickup trucks in order to improve efficiency.

The jury is still out on whether these engines perform better or last longer than larger displacement engines. But one thing is certain: with the assault of hybrids and electric vehicles, even turbos may be inadequate to salvage the internal combustion engine.

Anyway, do not forget to shield your prized machine, i.e. your car, with a Tata AIG comprehensive four-wheeler insurance policy to avoid any sort of fuss encountered while on the road. So #ThinkAhead and make the best choice. If you have got any queries, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be delighted to help you out!