Photo: Chrysler Corporation
With the progress of turbocharging technology, we’re now treated to very powerful cars and trucks, but that are still fuel efficient. In other words, thanks to the miracle of turbocharging, automakers can downsize their engines and still offer the best of both worlds.
However, turbocharging isn’t new. In the good old days, manufacturers would add a turbo in order to increase output first and foremost, but in many cases, the gain in horsepower wasn’t all that great. At least, compared to today’s modern powertrains. Here are some examples of turbocharged vehicles that weren’t all that powerful.
Dodge/Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo
In 1984, Chrysler introduced a sportier variant of its Colt city car, sold with either a Dodge or a Plymouth badge—although both were virtually identical cousins of the Mitsubishi Mirage. The Colt GTS Turbo received a turbocharged, 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, good for a spectacular 102 horsepower, while the naturally aspirated version boasted 80 hp. A 27.5% power increase.