The car industry ain’t hurting for fancy technology.
From smart cruise control, to heated and cooled seats to driver-drowsiness countermeasures, making for safer, more comfortable commuting.
But nothing can replace having the right power strokes under the hood, and more automakers than ever before are infusing their cars with turbochargers. This method of forced induction increases power and improves efficiency in a way naturally aspirated cars can’t — and the result will make you white in the knuckles.
Here are five of the best turbocharged options currently on the market.
Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
The homegrown offering you can’t ignore. Built to compete with the best the Germans and Japanese have to offer, the amped-up version of the already spectacular ATS delivers a whopping 464 ponies from its 3.6-liter twin turbocharged V6. Turbo lag is non-existent, with triple-digit speeds achievable in less time than it takes Von Miller to blow up an offensive backfield. Unflappable chassis and a slick six-speed manual transmission top off one seriously good sports coupe. ($63,660 MSRP)
2016 BMW M4
It’s the two-door M3 that looks better and drives just as well as the sedan. Teutonic tautness and beauty are only outdone by the ultra-smooth 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6 mill that offers up 425 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.1 seconds. You can hit the track all day or stretch out its legs on twisting back roads for a smile that won’t leave anytime soon. The hugging sport seats and beautiful interior speak volumes about how far this icon has come. ($65,700 MSRP)
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera
Porsche took their already legendary rear-engined sports car and made it even more incredible with a turbocharger. Now the 911 Carrera benefits from a Twin Turbo Flat Six engine with 370 horses and a mind-blowing 3.6 seconds from 0-60. That’s supercar territory for far less than you’d expect. Plus, there’s the whole arguably-the-most-iconic-body-shape-in-the-history-of-motorized-vehicles thing… ($89,400 MSRP)
2016 Ferrari 488GTB
Ferrari’s return to turbocharging is nothing short of remarkable. Their cars didn’t really need any kind of improvement, but the 488 GTB’s 3.9-liter twin turbo V8 is a monster of a change with 661 hp and a sprint to 60 mph in a mere 3.0 seconds. It’s a heroically good sports car that makes even its sublime 458 Italia predecessor seem a bit antiquated. ($242,737 MSRP)
2016 Audi RS7
If you want to frighten your entire family, look no further than this supercar for five. Sure, the fastback design is stunning for a four door, and the roominess and regal digs make it fit for a king. But it’s the 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 engine that drowns out everything else. 560 ponies (up to 605 in the Performance edition) means it’ll shred 60 in 3.4 seconds and destroy whatever groceries you probably shouldn’t have put in the trunk. ($109,825 MSRP)
—Amos Kwon
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