Re: Name some factory turbocharged cars that were boring. (lndsld17)
1979-1985 Buick Riviera Turbo S.
Now, understand that for the day, this was not such a bad car, or even a very slow one. But a big, hefty, floaty, ponderous, front-drive car is not a good match for a turbocharged engine. But it didn't have any torque steer, if only because the boosted V6 could only muster about 160 hp in this car, maximum. Couple that with 3700 lbs of car to haul around...
In 1980 the Pontiac Trans-Am Turbo Indy was one of the hottest cars you could buy. Hard to believe, but just three years later it's performance numbers would be bettered by the Renault Fuego Turbo.
The problem with the Turbo T/A is...well...it's got alot of problems. 1. Only two intake ports per head, and a very constricted manifold. 2. Carburetor+Turbo= plenty of opportunity for lost air. It's too bad, because with it's huge bore and relatively short stroke, this motor could've been a revelation. All 301 V8's, which came from Pontiac but were also used on some Buicks and Oldsmobiles, are best avoided.
Back when Renault was slapping a turbo on pretty much everything, they decided to build a turbocharged V6 R25. Although fans of the R25 like them, there's really nothing spectacular here, the R25 is a soft, rather anonymous barge, and the turbo - while adds performance in a straight line - does little to help it turn or handle. Not as nice as the R21 4x4 turbo or the smaller R5 turbo's (whcih came in many forms), nor even the 18i turbo.
