what does supercharged mean in a car

[AustinMarie]

A supercharger is a device that forces more air into the engine's cylinders than it could normally breathe on its own. This process, called forced induction, allows the engine to burn more fuel, which results in a significant increase in horsepower and torque. Unlike a turbocharger, which is powered by exhaust gases, a supercharger is mechanically driven by a belt connected to the engine's crankshaft. This key difference means a supercharger provides immediate power delivery with no lag, but it can be less fuel-efficient as it draws power directly from the engine.

The most common type is the roots-style supercharger, often seen as a large unit sitting on top of the engine (like on many classic muscle cars), which is great for low-end torque. Twin-screw and centrifugal superchargers offer different power delivery characteristics, with centrifugal types behaving more like a turbo, building power at higher engine speeds (RPM).

The primary benefit is a substantial power boost, often increasing output by 30-50% or more. For example, the supercharged 6.2L V8 in a Dodge Hellcat Challenger produces over 700 horsepower. The main trade-off is typically reduced fuel economy under normal driving conditions and increased complexity.

Vehicle Model	Engine	Supercharger Type	Horsepower (Without)	Horsepower (With)	Power Increase
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500	5.2L V8	Roots-type	~460 hp (base V8)	760 hp	+300 hp
Chevrolet Corvette Z06	5.5L V8	Twin-screw	N/A	670 hp	N/A (standard)
Jaguar F-Type R	5.0L V8	Twin-vortex	~380 hp (base V8)	575 hp	+195 hp
Audi RS 6 Avant	4.0L V8	Twin-turbo & E-Supercharger*	N/A	621 hp	N/A (hybrid system)
Mini John Cooper Works	2.0L I4	Twin-scroll Turbo*	~189 hp (base)	228 hp	+39 hp (turbo comparison)
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat	6.2L V8	Roots-type	~375 hp (5.7L Hemi)	717 hp	+342 hp

*Note: Table includes a turbocharged example for comparison. An e-supercharger is an electric device that assists a turbo to reduce lag.

[LeJohnny]

Think of it like this: a normal engine breathes on its own. A supercharged engine has a air pump—the supercharger—shoving extra air down its throat. More air means you can add more fuel, and that combo makes a whole lot more power, right off the line. It's that instant, brutal shove in your back you feel when you stomp the gas in a muscle car. No waiting, just pure acceleration.

[MacAshley]

From an engineering standpoint, a supercharger is a compressor that increases the air pressure entering the intake manifold. This higher air density allows for a greater mass of oxygen to be available for combustion. The stoichiometric ratio requires a precise air-to-fuel mixture, and by increasing the air supply, the engine control unit (ECU) can correspondingly increase fuel injection. This results in a more powerful combustion event per cylinder stroke. The mechanical link to the crankshaft ensures a direct correlation between engine speed and boost pressure, eliminating the lag associated with exhaust-driven turbochargers.