The common approach for increasing performance and power from a car used to be fitting a larger engine, but where that would be undesirable – either due to tax, emissions, fuel consumption or weight reasons – forced induction has offered a solution. The turbocharger rose to popularity during the 1980s for its efficiency, using waste exhaust gasses to spin an impellor, compress air and force it back into the engine to combine with more fuel for extra power. However, that means waiting for the engine to breathe out to drive the turbo in the first place, creating lag. If you want the instant acceleration granted by a bigger engine without adding cubic centimetres, the supercharger is the answer. Belt-driven by a pulley located on the end of the engine, it can spin up immediately and provide an instant rush of additional air into the engine.
Their whining noises and less potential for big power gains than turbochargers mean the general public aren’t huge supercharger fans and today, it’s only the hottest variants of American muscle cars that use them. But throughout the years, superchargers have added power, torque and an exciting soundtrack to some truly iconic classics – here are our favourites.
BENTLEY 4.5 LITRE ‘BLOWER’ (1929-1931)
It’s common to associate Rolls-Royce with superchargers, given the widespread use of its aero engines utilising forced induction, but out of the two it was Bentley that applied the technology to a car first. The Bentley 4 ½ Litre was produced as an engine and rolling chassis to replace the 3 Litre, with the platform used by numerous coachbuilders to pair with their bespoke bodywork. During the late 1920s, other prestigious manufacturers such as Bugatti were producing cars designed to compete at Le Mans, adding a sporting image to their road cars. Racing driver Tim Birkin saw potential
