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.


READ MORE: What Are the Differences Between a Sunroof and a Moonroof?


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.  

A BMW twin-turbo motor


READ MORE: What Are the Differences Between Leather and Nappa Leather Interior?


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!