Performance Trends: Forced Induction

Even as fuel prices have settled lower, customers and environmental activists are more concerned about fuel economy than ever before. Small cars and smaller engines are the most logical options for fuel economy, and it looks like the performance cars are going to start feeling the affects of the "fuel crunch"...soon. Already, many manufacturers are contemplating the axing of exotic 10 and 12 cylinder engines, and replacing these with turbo-charged and supercharged V8s.

Having raced and driven naturally aspirated cars and forced induction machines, I personally prefer to have the raw power of a naturally aspirated engine. Sure, turbos and superchargers are great, but nothing compares to the raw power you get from the exotic engines found in cars such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini, etc. I currently drive a BMW M5 (E60), which has a naturally aspirated V10 under the hood; and now BMW is talking about replacing the V10 with a twin-turbo V8. FAIL.

Instantly, you lose that unique sound of a high-revving V10, and further quiet the exhaust with a set of turbos. Although the horsepower is still just as much as the V10, if not slightly more, and the car receives a torque boost, to me, the M5 loses its uniqueness. Audi already uses turbos in many of its performance cars, and unfortunately, many other manufacturers will follow.

Yes, fuel will be saved, the environment will be saved, and the manufacturers will be "greener," but now performance cars will no longer be as exotic as they once were, and isn't that the point of a "performance" car?