Five turbo cars that have become legends

The five turbocharged cars that have become legends have made their mark on automotive history thanks to a single component: the turbocharger . You might prefer naturally aspirated cars, but we're sure this selection will bring a smile to your face. Shall we take a look?

As you probably already know, the automotive sector is betting on downsizing . This technique is based on using turbochargers to achieve greater efficiency. Fortunately, this hasn't always been the case, as turbocharged cars were once synonymous with power, explosive performance, and, of course, high-performance vehicles. These five turbocharged cars that have become legends are unique. A few years ago, the turbocharger was a device that provided a somewhat brute-force boost to the engine. Today, it has become a tool for achieving greater efficiency.

In this way, manufacturers obtain more flexible and powerful engines at any speed, especially at low speeds. Sometimes, turbos are capable of providing supercar performance to quite small engines.

Renault 5

The five turbocharged cars that have become legendary are models indelibly marked by this technology. The Renault 5 is one of those cars that was simply unthinkable without a turbocharger. In the heart of the 80s, turbochargers offered raw performance but very little refinement. The Renault 5 was a truly radical and explosive car. It boasted a 1.4-liter Alpine engine with a Garrett T3 turbocharger blowing at 0,75 bar. This combination was capable of producing a staggering 160 hp. Furthermore, it quickly earned the nickname 'widowmaker'.

The Renault 5 is back in electric version!

Renault presents its strategic plan for the coming years using a very special "hook": the Renault 5 concept, of course, with 100% electric propulsion.

Ferrari F40

This legendary sports car from the Prancing Horse brand was renowned for its V8 engine. The turbocharger transformed it into an explosive and wild machine. Can you imagine it without the turbo? It would be a completely different car. It's one of the most delicate road cars, thanks to its very light weight and lack of driver assistance systems.

Porsche Turbo 911

Since 1975, the Porsche 911 Turbo has been the ultimate. Developed with a 3.0-liter engine producing 260 hp, it has remained a constant presence in the Stuttgart-based brand's lineup since its inception. While turbochargers have been incorporated into other models, the 911 will always be legendary.

Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

Group B, as you probably already know, gave turbocharged cars a major role in the 80s. The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is a good example of a turbocharged car. It was equipped with the YBB engine , which was capable of producing over 200 hp from just 2.0 liters.

Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R and Skyline have always been known for their turbochargers. The RB26 DETT engine was twin-turbocharged and was used from the R32 to the R34 . Today, the GT-R continues to use twin-turbo engines to terrorize its rivals. Furthermore, the Le Mans homologation regulations allowed the brand to produce a single road-legal Nissan GT-R. It featured a 300 hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and weighed 1.150 kg. This car is in the Nissan museum. A true turbocharged gem!