Gray 2018 BMW 5 Series Parked Next to Modern Building

Twin Turbo VS. Biturbo: Which Engine Design Performs Better?

What Are the Differences Between Twin Turbo and Biturbo Engines?

Are you curious what makes your pre-owned Mercedes-Benz C-Class tick? Drivers who are not familiar with mechanics or automotive engineering may look at a vehicle spec sheet and get confused. Autos of Dallas is here to help. If you have come to love the Mercedes-Benz or BMW brands, chances are you have heard of biturbo and twin turbo engines and you may have asked – what are the differences between twin turbo and biturbo engines? Take a closer look at Autos of Dallas.


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How Do Twin Turbo and Biturbo Engines Work?

In many cases – twin turbo and biturbo are interchangeable terms that refer to an engine that employs dual turbochargers to amplify power and performance with a smaller displacement engine. That does not mean that there are no differences when you choose a turbocharged powertrain. Turbocharged engines are available in two primary designs – sequential twin turbo and parallel twin turbo. Format and design will vary from brand to brand, but this quick overview will help you understand the differences between turbocharged engines.

Sequential Twin Turbo Engines – Powertrains that employ sequential twin turbochargers rely on two turbochargers of different sizes. A smaller turbocharger works with lower exhaust flow and supplies more power at lower rev rates. As you accelerate, a second larger turbocharger builds more power with a compression valve that allows the larger turbine to create more power at the higher end of the spectrum. A sequential twin turbo configuration is often found in inline engines like the 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo in the BMW 5 Series.
Parallel Twin Turbo Engines – Spec sheets that feature a biturbo engine often refer to parallel twin turbo engines. With this layout under the hood, your vehicle will benefit from dual turbochargers of the same size. Each turbocharger is assigned to a single bank of the engine with the exhaust gases divided equally by the two turbocharges. Most commonly associated with V-6 or V-8 engines, a parallel twin turbo will assign the first turbocharger to cylinders 1-3 and the second turbocharger to cylinders 4-6 in a six-cylinder engine. This configuration will reduce turbo lag.  
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Biturbo Engine on Gray Background
2018 BMW 3 Series Twin Turbo Engine Under the Hood

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Do you love to look deeper at what makes your car or crossover go? Take a closer look at how turbocharged engines work and get answers to the question – what are the differences between twin turbo and biturbo engines – with this in-depth overview. Visit the Autos of Dallas inventory today to experience turbocharged performance!