For customers of Mercedes Benz or BMW, there is no choice anymore. All available engines, whether petrol or diesel, feature turbochargerThe exception at BMW is its i range, where the i3's optional range extender remains a naturally aspirated engine. At Audi, the only non-turbo model is the R8, which remains true to its naturally aspirated engine. Interestingly, even brands like Classic Ferrari for sale They have broken a historical taboo by incorporating double turbo in their 488 GTB. Lamborghini continues to resist, although it is likely that, like Bugatti, supercharging reaches all supercar models.
On the other hand, the Japanese have been more reluctant to embrace supercharging. Brands like Honda, Mazda y Toyota They still make a considerable number of gasoline engines atmospheric.
Advantages and disadvantages of turbo engine
El turbo engine offers well-known advantages such as increased power and improved energy efficiency, which allows for a reduction in overall displacement. This process, known as downsizing, has allowed manufacturers to guarantee similar performance with smaller engines. However, despite these improvements, the savings and efficiency that manufacturers promise are not always significantly reflected in real driving conditions.
On the other hand, naturally aspirated engines have notable advantages in other aspects. Although they do not stand out for their specific power, non-supercharged engines stand out for their simplicity and reliability, which reduces maintenance costs and possible breakdowns. For many drivers who see the car not only as a means of transport, but as a source of pleasure, the characteristics of naturally aspirated engines, with their linear increases in revolutions, offer a unique driving experience.
Naturally aspirated engines in danger of extinction
Over the past decade, we have witnessed significant change in the automotive industry, particularly with the demise of naturally aspirated engines in favour of turbochargers and other forced induction systems. This change is mainly due to increasing emissions regulations and environmental restrictions, which force manufacturers to seek more efficient solutions.
BMW and Mercedes, two of the most important manufacturers in Europe, have almost completely abandoned naturally aspirated engines, offering only turbocharged variants. A notable case is the Mazda MX-5, which has maintained its engine naturally aspirated four cylinder, recognized for its dynamism and efficiency. This model stands out not only for its lightness, but also for its adjusted consumption, proving that it is possible to build naturally aspirated engines that are efficient and fun to drive.
Other examples of cars that still retain naturally aspirated engines include high-end sports cars, such as the Audi R8, Ferrari 812 Competition and the Lamborghini Huracan Evo. Typically, these super sports models are aimed at the more purist driving enthusiasts, who value not only performance, but the sound and feel that a high-displacement naturally aspirated engine offers.
A last hope for naturally aspirated engines?
Despite the trend towards supercharging and electrification, there is still interest in keeping the essence of naturally aspirated engines alive. Brands such as Toyota, Mazda y Subaru have been working on new technologies that could revitalize internal combustion engines. In particular, Toyota has developed hybrid engines and hydrogen technologies that seek to complement thermal propulsion while keeping emissions low.
Mazda, for its part, has been a pioneer in the development of engines Skyactiv, designed to offer ecological benefits without sacrificing the driving sensation that characterizes naturally aspirated engines.
However, increasingly restrictive regulations complicate the viability of these engines. Euro 7 standard, which is due to come into force in 2025, could be the final blow for internal combustion engines in Europe, as it sets very severe limits on NOx and particulate emissions. This forces manufacturers to make major adjustments to the design of their engines to meet environmental demands, resulting in higher production costs and the imposition of new hybrid and electric technologies.
The internal combustion engine: an uncertain future?
The European Union's decision to ban the sale of internal combustion cars by 2035 has marked a turning point in the automotive industry. From that date onwards, only electric or zero-emission models can be sold. However, it will still be possible to buy and sell internal combustion cars on the second-hand market, which means that these vehicles will remain in circulation for several more decades.
Given this scenario, some experts speculate that emissions regulations could lead to a new generation of engines with advanced technology, such as the use of synthetic fuelsThese carbon-neutral fuels could extend the life of the internal combustion engine beyond 2035 for those who want traditional combustion vehicles.
However, progress towards electrification is evident. Brands such as Audi, Mercedes Benz y BMW They have already equipped their turbocharged engines with systems mild hybrid, further reducing CO2 emissions and improving overall energy efficiency, which seems to be the clearest path to the future.
Goodbye to naturally aspirated engines in supercars?
Despite the efforts of major manufacturers to electrify the entire range, some iconic supercars are reluctant to say goodbye to the naturally aspirated engine. Models like him Ferrari 812 Competition and the Lamborghini Aventador They continue to use a naturally aspirated V12 engine, considered by many to be the pinnacle of performance and excitement in sports driving.
However, as environmental restrictions grow, these engines are increasingly going into extremely limited production vehicles, such as the Pagani Huayra or Gordon Murray T50, both with high-capacity naturally aspirated V12 engines. These cars, built in small series, are designed for closed circuits, where they can make the most of their characteristics without violating emissions regulations.
So, even though naturally aspirated engines are on the decline, they still have a place in the automotive world, especially in the more exclusive niches. Purist driving enthusiasts can still enjoy these mechanical gems, although it is likely that, in the near future, they will only be found in models one off or special series of very few copies.
We can be sure that, although naturally aspirated engines are disappearing as a mass option in the automotive industry, they still have their place in the market for the most exclusive sports cars and in the nostalgia of classic car lovers.