Which Audi models are supercharged?
2 Answers
Audi has discontinued many supercharged models and switched to turbocharging, as turbocharging is a prevailing trend. A supercharger directly utilizes the engine's power to drive the compressor, whereas a turbocharger uses exhaust gas flow to drive the compressor, hence often referred to as an exhaust turbocharger. Below are the key differences between the two: 1. Era of Introduction: Supercharging has a more straightforward design concept and thus emerged much earlier than turbocharging. The earliest supercharging systems appeared on Grand Prix race cars in the 1920s, while turbocharging only began to rise in the 1970s. Saab, a Swedish automaker from Northern Europe, was the first to apply turbochargers to production vehicles. 2. Driving Mechanism: A supercharger directly harnesses engine power to drive the compressor, while a turbocharger utilizes exhaust gas flow to drive the compressor, hence its common name - exhaust turbocharger. 3. Linear Power Delivery: Since turbocharging relies on exhaust gas to spin the turbine, when exhaust flow is low, the turbine spins slowly, resulting in minimal boosting effect. Turbochargers only become fully operational after engine RPM reaches a certain threshold, a phenomenon known as 'turbo lag.' In contrast, superchargers are directly connected to the engine via a belt, initiating boost immediately upon engine start. This provides both the linearity of naturally aspirated engines and rapid response.
I'm an Audi enthusiast, especially fond of those supercharged Audi models. For example, the B8 and B8.5 generation S4 used a 3.0 TFSI V6 supercharged engine, delivering direct and fierce acceleration without the turbo lag, making it as thrilling to drive as a sports car. I've tried my friend's A6 with the same engine, and it provided steady power during high-speed overtaking. Audi later shifted to turbocharging, but models like the SQ5 SUV also once featured it, offering a unique sound and practicality. If you're into performance and handling, finding a used S4 from around 2014 is a great deal—simple to maintain, just requiring regular belt changes. Cars like the A7 are also great options, turning heads on the road.
