Naturally aspirated or turbo? What is a naturally aspirated engine, how is it controlled, and how is it different from a turbocharged engine?
Content
- Naturally aspirated engines versus today
- What is a naturally aspirated engine?
- What is a turbo engine?
- Naturally aspirated and diesel engines - comparison
- How to operate a naturally aspirated engine? Does he drive better?
- Cars with a naturally aspirated engine - advantages and disadvantages
- Is the naturally aspirated engine a thing of the past?
- Naturally aspirated engine or turbo engine? What's better?
An engine is to a car what a heart is to a person. It controls almost all other systems, but at the same time, like the heart, it needs energy. Where did he get it from?
Well, technology has come up with several ways to keep the engines going. The two options that are undoubtedly among the most popular are the naturally aspirated and turbo versions. These are the types of engines we are looking at in this article.
Read on to find out, among other things, what makes each of them stand out? Which is better in terms of performance? How do you ride each of them?
Naturally aspirated engines versus today
The current specificity of the market is not conducive to the creation of engines that generate power in the traditional way. Government agencies are regularly tightening emission limits, which increases the demand for cars that use less fuel.
In such conditions, it is difficult to imagine the next versions of V8 engines with a power larger than the Olympic pool.
Again, more and more manufacturers are turbocharged as this type of engine allows them to improve the efficiency of the car without sacrificing performance. However, some refer to this as "primitive" power amplification.
But is it really?
To answer this question, we first need to clarify what is a naturally aspirated engine and a turbo engine? Read on and find out.
What is a naturally aspirated engine?
Before you know the answer, you need to know that any internal combustion engine draws in ambient air. Why? Because without oxygen, the fuel will not ignite, which will ultimately lead to a lack of energy in the engine.
And the general rule is that the more air goes inside, the more power - of course, provided that we have assembled the same blocks.
When we talk about a naturally aspirated engine, we mean a solution in which air enters the engine naturally (that is, due to the pressure difference between the environment and the combustion chamber). It is a simple traditional combustion engine.
Currently, you can only find it on gasoline cars and is still rare. Diesels have long switched to turbocharging for environmental reasons, which we wrote about above.
What is a turbo engine?
Unlike its predecessor, the turbo engine mechanically pumps air into the combustion chamber. It does it with a turbocharger.
Small turbines create an induction effect, which gives the engine more air, which at the same time has a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure. The result is stronger "explosions" of fuel in the combustion chamber, resulting in more powerful power.
However, as you will soon find out, this is not the only difference between the two engines.
Naturally aspirated and diesel engines - comparison
Below you will find a comparison of the most important aspects of each engine. To give you an accurate picture of the situation, we look at fuel consumption, acceleration, difficulty and, of course, power.
So where do we start?
Naturally aspirated or turbo? What will be better?
Fuel consumption
According to the peasant mind, turbocharging will increase the engine's need for fuel. This is true.
However, there is one "but".
Let us explain this with the example of two engines: a 2-liter naturally aspirated engine and a 1,5-liter turbo engine. Thanks to the turbocharging of the second, both generate the same power, but the naturally aspirated engine has more power, so it uses more fuel.
Of course, if we were to compare two identical engines, the turbo version would be more power hungry. However, due to the fact that it can extract the same amount of power from a smaller engine, it is more economical.
To summarize: the naturally aspirated version consumes less fuel for the same engine size. However, when engine power is taken into account, the turbocharged version offers the same performance with greater efficiency.
acceleration
You already know that the turbo engine is more powerful, but overclocking is its Achilles heel. Why? Because these types of engines take time for the turbocharger to build up pressure.
Exhaust gases are used for this, and as you well know, there are not many of them when starting the engine. However, modern technology is already working to eliminate overclocking lag.
Having said that, we note that the turbocharging is by no means worse than the naturally aspirated version. Deficiencies in starting the engine are quickly made up for with more power.
As for the naturally aspirated version, there are no delays. The engine is characterized by a stable increase in power. It has high torque at low rpm and high power at high rpm without slipping.
Complexity
The simple logic is that the more detail something has, the more likely it is to fail. It just so happens that turbocharging is an add-on for a standard naturally aspirated engine. Among other things, it adds to the old system:
- more connections,
- intercooler,
- vacuum hose or
- a huge number of hydraulic installations.
This increases the likelihood of rejection. Even one damaged part can lead to system-wide problems.
Since a supercharged engine is generally simpler, it has a lower failure rate and therefore lower repair costs (usually).
Mok
It should come as no surprise to anyone that turbocharging exists to increase engine power. The name itself indicates this. This technology generates more power from smaller engines, so it definitely outperforms traditional supercharged versions in this area.
However, contrary to appearances, the latter are still protected.
Thanks to new technological solutions, naturally aspirated engines increase torque, but the results are still worse compared to turbochargers. Maybe in the near future we will see a breakthrough in this area?
So far, the turbo clearly wins in power.
How to operate a naturally aspirated engine? Does he drive better?
Another challenge in the naturally aspirated vs. turbo competition is driving and enjoying it. Are there significant differences here?
Yes. We have already written about them about overclocking.
Since naturally aspirated engines have a more consistent power ramp, their use (especially at start-up) is smoother. Also, it's worth asking yourself, why do you need a turbo? If you drive mainly on city roads, you don't need more "push" for anything.
Plus, for some, the thrill of driving with a naturally aspirated engine will be unrivaled (a powerful V6 or V8 might impress you). Especially since more power at lower rpms is much more efficient when it comes to towing or “growling” with the engine.
The exhaust also sounds more "muscular" here.
On the other hand, a small turbo engine is lighter and does not take up much space, which can have a positive effect on handling.
Cars with a naturally aspirated engine - advantages and disadvantages
You already know what is the difference between a naturally aspirated engine and a turbo engine. It's time to take stock of its advantages and disadvantages compared to a competitor.
Naturally aspirated engine - advantages:
- No delay (turbo lag phenomenon);
- Stable power gain;
- Usually a simpler design, which in most cases leads to a decrease in the number of failures and repair costs;
- There is no need to cool the turbine after a hard ride.
Naturally aspirated engine - disadvantages:
- It doesn't press into the seat as hard as a turbocharged engine (but there are large naturally aspirated engines that can do that);
- Due to climatic restrictions, insurance is more expensive (especially with a larger capacity);
- Theoretically lower efficiency (higher fuel consumption).
Is the naturally aspirated engine a thing of the past?
At the beginning of this article, we talked about increasingly stringent emission standards. They are the reason why traditional naturally aspirated engines are being phased out of the automotive industry.
This is confirmed by the fact that many popular brands have already completely abandoned them. Whether we're talking about cars designed for everyone (like BMW, Mercedes or Alfa Romeo) or luxury cars (like Rolls-Royce, Maserati, Bentley), most of them no longer make naturally aspirated engines.
When you go to a car dealership today, do not be surprised by the fact that the powerful family car has a 1,5-liter engine, but with two turbochargers.
If you continue to use a naturally aspirated engine, you will run into a real problem. We have to search among the few Korean or Japanese brands (Toyota, Mazda, Lexus). In addition, there may be some models of Ford (Mustang), Lamborghini or Porsche ...
... But, as you can see, these are mostly supercars.
The only convenient solution in this case is to apply for old, used cars. However, the problem here is that they will not match the characteristics of the new models.
Naturally aspirated engine or turbo engine? What's better?
In fact, it is up to every driver to decide. In today's marketplace, it's easy to see why the turbo is leading the way in this competition. Engines of this type are more efficient (at least in theory), give more power and, moreover, do not contradict modern fashion in the field of ecology.
Of course, they both have their pros and cons, but turbocharging is the solution for the future.
However, for lovers of tradition, the lights in the tunnel have not yet gone out. Some companies (like Mazda or Aston Martin) are not abandoning naturally aspirated engines and are constantly working on technologies that can compete with turbocharging.
