TURBO CHARGED CARS IN GHANA

TURBO CHARGER

Turbocharged cars are becoming more popular due to their size and fuel-saving technology while providing extra horsepower and torque for car engines. Thus, many car owners across the globe are opting for turbocharging to give their car engines an extra push. However, Ghanaians are yet to catch turbocharger fever. It is mainly because not many people know what it means.

WHAT IS A TURBOCHARGER

A turbocharger is a device that increases the flow of air into an engine by compressing the intake gas. It is placed in between the engine and the exhaust and operates by using the exhaust fumes to drive a turbine, which compresses the gas intake and forces more air into the engine to increase the car’s power.

WHEN WAS IT FIRST INVENTED

A Swiss national, Dr. Alfred Buchi, invented the turbocharger in 1905 and used it in a marine engine. Dr. Buchi’s design featured a turbine driven by exhaust fumes connected to a compressor wheel by a shaft. Interestingly, the first vehicle to use a turbocharger was an airplane because the turbo size was too big to fit into a car.

WHAT CAR COMPANY MADE THE TURBO-CHARGER POPULAR

Over the years, other scientists designed smaller turbochargers that could fit into cars, and the first car company to popularize the use of turbos was Porsche in 1976. Their sleek Porsche Turbo Carrera could reach speeds of 155 mph in 60 seconds, which was unheard of at the time.

ARE THERE ANY TURBO CHARGED CARS IN GHANA

There are a few turbocharged cars in Ghana, and these are owned by the high and mighty. An example is the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, owned by the dancehall legend Shatta Wale. Then there is the customized 2018 Maserati owned by Jackie Appiah that features a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

The Audi R8 is another turbocharged car in Ghana which can go from 0-100 km/h in just 3.2s. Other cars in Ghana which boast a twin-turbocharged engine are the Rolls Royce Ghost and Phantom.

IS IT LEGAL TO ADD TURBO-CHARGE TO YOUR VEHICLES IN GHANA

Currently, no law regulates the use of turbos in Ghana, and given that some prominent people own turbocharged cars, it is safe to assume that turbocharged cars are legal.