Turbo charging might be the latest trend in engine technology, this type of forced induction has been around since the early ’60s. But turbocharging dates to the ’20s and ’30s, although it wasn’t nearly as sophisticated or reliable as it is today.
BMW 2002 Turbo
The 2002 Turbo was essentially a hand-built car assembled by a special team operating within the BMW production facility in Munich, Germany. It was only ever built in left-hand-drive form. The BMW 2002 Turbo is famous for being Europe’s first production turbocharged car as well as a first for BMW. Launched in 1973 the turbo gave it a hefty power boost and it quickly became a performance car icon. 1672 examples were made, making it extremely rare today and a wonderful part of history.
BMW 2002 Turbo
Audi Quattro
The Audi Quattro made its original debut at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show. Its development would spur a long legacy of rally championships. The original Audi Quattro was put into production and remained a part of Audi’s line up until it was discontinued in 1991.The AWD car revolutionised rallying, and the turbo allowed drivers to exploit the extra power without overdoing it and crashing. It made its competition debut at the 1000 Lakes Rally and went on to win the 1985 Pikes Peak Hill Climb as well as numerous World Rally Group B Championships.
Audi Quattro
Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 was and still is a special car in many ways. It was built it to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Ferrari as well as being a car Enzo Ferrari supervised and envisioned himself. In fact, it was his last creation as he passes away just a couple of months after they introduced the F40 in 1987.The F40 is a race car with a gorgeous body and a terrifying performance that will inspire you to drive as fast as you can.
Ferrari F40
Porsche 911 Turbo / 930
Apart from the GT3, every modern Porsche is currently turbo charged. It was however quite a different scenario in 1975. This was the car that made turbocharging a household name and pushed the 911 into the supercar league not to mention one of the most iconic rear spoilers ever. Further fettling given to the car in 1977 enhanced the power and performance even more, as well as increasing the speed of the car. Despite some turbo lag in the early versions of the car, and some difficult handling, the car is an icon throughout car culture.
Porsche 911 Turbo / 930
Jaguar XJ 220
Jaguar conceived it in the late ’80s as their first road-going supercar. The XJ220 got it name because it could do over 220 mph. The first prototypes had Jaguar’s V12 engine, but halfway into development, they decided to install a new 3.5-liter twin turbo V6 unit. The design of the car was fantastic with flowing lines along with wide stance that emphasized its performance and speed. When Jaguar released it, the XJ220 was the world’s fastest road going model
Jaguar XJ 220
Lancia Delta HF Intergrale
1982 Turin Motor Show, where Lancia first showed the direction in which Delta would go in the next ten years. Visitors were presented with a Turbo 4 × 4 version. The Lancia Delta Integrale was one of the most successful rally cars of the Group A era and a sensational road car. While Group B spawned the most extreme rally cars the world’s ever seen, its Group A World Rally Championship successor was the source of some of the greatest road cars and perhaps none more so than the iconic Lancia Delta Integrale.
Lancia Delta HF Intergrale
Lotus Turbo Esprit
The Esprit always looked like a supercar, but it didn’t go like one until Lotus added a turbocharged version in 1980. The launched earmarked the long-awaited turning point for Lotus. At last, here was a car that was potentially good enough to take on – and beat – a Ferrari 308 GTB. Numerous road tests soon verified that the Turbo was one of Europe’s most competent supercars. Its beautifully engineered turbocharged engine gave strong performance, it had exceptional road handling and although it still didn’t have the ultimate badge of its Porsche and Ferrari rivals, it was a driver’s car. It’s exotic shape was good enough to extend production from 1976 all the way to 2004.
Lotus Turbo Esprit