From the Maserati Biturbo to the Porsche 959, twin-turbos prove why doubling up is still special

Twin-turbos pushed sports cars and supercars into a new era of speed and design.

By fitting two turbochargers instead of one, manufacturers extracted more power from smaller engines.

The setup delivered stronger acceleration and reduced lag across the rev range.

From the Maserati Biturbo to the Porsche 959, and into today’s hybrid-assisted models, the technology has defined some of the most important chapters in automotive history.

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From Biturbo to 959

The Maserati Biturbo became the first production car with twin-turbos in 1981.

Its parallel turbocharger system split airflow between two units on a compact V6, producing balanced power without relying on a larger engine.

Five years later, Porsche launched the 959, which used sequential turbos to improve responsiveness and reach performance figures that were unprecedented at the time.

Capable of exceeding 200 mph, it became one of the most advanced supercars of the 1980s.

Japanese brands followed the same path.

The Toyota Supra A80 used sequential twin-turbos to give the 2JZ engine a wide power band, combining low-speed response with high-speed strength.

The engine’s durability and flexibility turned it into one of the most celebrated designs of the 1990s and a cornerstone of sports car culture.

Today’s manufacturers continue to refine the approach.

McLaren employs hot-V twin-turbos in the Artura to improve efficiency and save space, while Mercedes-AMG applies similar methods in the GT series.

The use of compact layouts shows how manufacturers adapt the twin-turbocharger system to modern performance demands.

What future do twin-turbos have?

Tighter emissions standards mean smaller engines are becoming the norm, but performance expectations remain high.

Twin-turbos allow downsized engines to deliver competitive power figures while reducing weight and fuel consumption.

They also integrate well with hybrid systems, which are now central to the development of new sports cars and supercars.

From the Maserati Biturbo to the Porsche 959 and today’s hybrid McLarens, twin-turbos have remained consistent in performance engineering.

Their ability to combine power and efficiency has kept them relevant for more than forty years, and they continue to shape the future of sports cars and supercars in an era of rapid change.

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