01 XC70: when does the turbo actually launch?

Spoleto · Post by **Spoleto** » 10 Nov 2006, 18:27

while my car was being recently serviced, the dealership provided me a loaner car (06 Acura TL), and it was certainly a different driving experience, such as little ooomph when you needed/wanted it (entering highway ramps, taking off from stop light) and the engine seemed louder outside and inside. But what I noticed most was the difference in acceleration, and not ever owning a turbo vehicle before, should I assume my xc's turbo kicks in all the time? honestly, without any intention WHATSOEVER, I'm leaving people "in the dust" just taking off from a traffic light, and I'm a very light foot driver.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Nov 2006, 19:39

Volvo turbo will kick in around 2700 rpm's. You can really begin to feel it around 3K rpm's. Hope this helps.

Spoleto · Post by **Spoleto** » 12 Nov 2006, 15:24

Thanx! It was very helpful, and I paid more attention to rpms today.

mrscullini · Post by **mrscullini** » 16 Nov 2006, 08:16

as with all turbos, there is what is called turbo lag. this occurs because the impeller is powered by the exhaust gases. as the velocity of the exhaust gases increase, the rpm of the impeller increase. the velocity of the exhaust gases increase as the rpm of the engine increases.

that is an extremely simple explanation but fundamentally how a turbo charger (on any vehicle) operates.

Spoleto · Post by **Spoleto** » 16 Nov 2006, 11:42

thank you for providing this more-mechanically detailed explanation.

Post by **matthew1** » 19 Nov 2006, 23:34

correct responses... let me add that the XC's (and GLTs... generally all of the Volvos with 197-208 horsepower over the last 8 years) turbos are smaller, so they spin up faster, giving you power "down low" (early). that's probably why you're "leaving people in the dust."

unfortunately on recent models, it seems Volvo has adopted a cheesy US Big Three Automaker trick: put 75% of the throttle in the first half of accelerator travel. it makes the car appear more powerful than it really is, for benefit (the dealer's benefit) primarily during test drives. a one word summary would be "nonlinear".

anyway...

big turbos like on my 850 T5 spin up more slowly, but provide more boost, so there's not much "down low" but when you hit 3-4k RPM, hold on. it can be quite a ride.