Which statement correctly distinguishes turbochargers from traditional superchargers?

Which statement correctly distinguishes turbochargers from traditional superchargers?

• A. Turbochargers are powered by exhaust gases; traditional superchargers are directly driven by the engine.
• B. Turbochargers compress air after carburetion; superchargers compress before carburetion.
• C. Turbochargers do not use turbines.
• D. Turbochargers are powered mechanically from the crankshaft.

Answer: (A)

Turbochargers get their boost from exhaust gases driving a turbine that, in turn, powers a compressor to force more air into the engine. Because the energy comes from the exhaust stream, boost is generated without pulling power directly from the crankshaft. Traditional superchargers, on the other hand, are mechanically driven by the engine—typically via a belt from the crankshaft—so they provide immediate boost but at the cost of some engine horsepower. The other statements are not correct: turbochargers do use turbines, and they are not powered mechanically from the crankshaft; the compressor typically feeds air into the engine before it enters the cylinders, not after carburetion.

Turbochargers get their boost from exhaust gases driving a turbine that, in turn, powers a compressor to force more air into the engine. Because the energy comes from the exhaust stream, boost is generated without pulling power directly from the crankshaft. Traditional superchargers, on the other hand, are mechanically driven by the engine—typically via a belt from the crankshaft—so they provide immediate boost but at the cost of some engine horsepower. The other statements are not correct: turbochargers do use turbines, and they are not powered mechanically from the crankshaft; the compressor typically feeds air into the engine before it enters the cylinders, not after carburetion.