What Is Overboost?

Manufacturers keep mentioning something called overboost when talking about their latest turbocharged cars, so what is it?

Michael Fernie

02 Sep 2016

In a world full of downsizing and turbocharging, manufacturers have listened to the plight of us petrolheads and have decided to add in some fun features to keep us all satisfied with the motoring experience. One such feature is ‘overboost’, a feature that is becoming present in hot hatches like the Ford Fiesta ST and VW Golf GTI Clubsport.

It’s a fairly simple concept that brings some much needed drama to the fairly linear power delivery of modern turbocharged vehicles.

The ECU is programmed to set the turbocharger to full boost for a given period of time, sending around ten percent more power to the wheels as the turbocharger forces air slightly faster into each cylinder. In the case of the new Golf GTI Clubsport, power is upped from 261bhp to 286bhp for a 10-second window. This is perfect for a quick overtake or for getting the maximum drive out of a corner on a race track.

VW says that this temporary function is to aid fuel consumption and add performance without having to re-engineer engine components to withstand a higher boost pressure all of the time, but there might be some marketing shenanigans at play here.

The small burst of power puts the Clubsport perilously close to the 300bhp Golf R, therefore it would make sense to keep the standard power output down to 261bhp to not step on the hotter hatche’s toes. So, Would you buy the GTI with this temporary boost on tap or would you spend the extra cash and go for the full-blooded Golf R?

Although overboost may seem like a bit of a con, it’s heart-warming to know that car manufacturers are keeping performance as a priority while engines are getting smaller and cleaner in the war against emissions.

Comments

The more we know, the more we know?

Deep. 😂

I think i gives you boost and save petrol or controlled boost or a marketing mimic.

Unless the function has this button, they are doing it wrong.

I believe the is (335is and 135is) have something similar to this

Rather have Golf R coz….

Enter your comment…

NEVER MIND I REPLIED TO THE WRONG POST

whats up with these 10 year old memes

The thing with these ‘overboost’ things is that they give you more horsepower for around 10-15 seconds full throttle. But, and I don’t know every one’s situation, I usually don’t give it full throttle for more than that time.

People get upset with the 10 or 15 second limit or whatever it is, but this is only until you let off…then you get another 10 seconds. If people are worried about this ruining your experience they are clearly forgetting that unless you power shift through each gear, all the way up…or floor it in 6th from a fairly low speed (dumb) you will never ever tap the potential of this system potentially holding top power figure as much as you could ever need it.