Quote:
Originally Posted by Firestarter
As for the diesel ... not everyone wants a heavy diesel drive train.
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One benefit of turbos is for a given amount of maximum horsepower potential, a turbo engine (whether diesel or spark) is lighter than a na engine. Thus everything from the engine mounts down to the tires can be lighter, and the complete system may end up with greater fuel efficiency even if the engine might be less efficient.
Also, regarding the additional exhaust backpressure of a turbo reducing efficiency, that is balanced to some extent by the reduction in exhaust noise. Turbo engines can get away with lesser mufflers than na engines for a given amplitude of exhaust noise. My own miniature turbo diesel sports car (32 hp Kubota) uses the turbo as its only muffler and it's never had a noise complaint (people assume it has a conventional muffler).