Turbo Performance | What makes a vehicle successful in the world of building more power and increasing the fun factor?
Subaru’s have been such a successful car with the tuner market because of a simple fact, they came with turbocharged engines that are fun right from the factory.
The AWD platform and rally pedigree helped a lot too, but having year after year with a developed turbocharged engine and driveline made for an amazing base platform for increased power.
When a car comes with a turbocharged engine from the factory, it comes with sensors and plumbing that a naturally aspirated model doesn't. This makes upgrading the turbo model much easier. The ECU in a factory turbo car is also programmed differently than an NA version.
If you've been paying attention to Fords new car models, you'll notice many come with turbocharged engines now. They range in size from 1.3 liters to 4 liters and larger with single and double turbocharger options. The vehicles range from compact cars to full size trucks.
The most exciting for me are the Ford EcoBoost engines. Ford has developed a series of similar engines that range in size and power output. Each one will willingly take modifications with the largest engines easily putting out 600hp with only tuning.
Their Fiesta and Focus models both come in ST trims with hopped up engines and sporty suspension packages. These models already have a large aftermarket following and great stock ecu reflashing support. The Focus will have an RS model available soon with an even higher base output motor and AWD. This will surely be the new competition for the WRX STi as the Lancer Evo is no longer on the market.
The Ford Mustang is now offered in a high output V8 and a slightly lower rated Turbo four cylinder. Many enthusiasts are excited to see how the battle between V8 muscle and tuner turbo power plays out within the Mustang platform.
The V8 will make the low end grunt faster and harder than the four banger ever could. But it's big and heavy. With a few simple modifications, the turbo will outpower the big V8 making the weight difference matter more.
The F-150 is even available with a big Twin Turbo V6. It won’t be the heavy hauler that the workhorse diesel is, but it is a hoot to drive when the trailer isn’t hooked up. The same engine platform is also shared with the Taurus which gets AWD making it a super cruising sedan.
Almost every Ford vehicle is available with a turbocharged option making the entire lineup a tuners dream come true.
We are consistently putting energy into understanding and creating options for tuning the latest additions to our love of turbo engines. I can’t wait to see how the aftermarket community embraces these engines over the next few years.
