Turbocharging and Supercharging

Turbocharging and Supercharging by Alan Allard. (Patrick Stephens Ltd, Wellingborough. £7.99)

This new smaller format paperback edition of Allard’s comprehensive survey of the science of boosted engines has been expanded and updated with descriptions of just about every production turbo or supercharged car around last year. Inevitably, this list is already becoming out of date, and of course the disappearance of Group B rally cars and the forthcoming ban on F1 turbos contributes to this too.

But the rest of the text remains an ideal source-book on the subject, plainly written, mixing a necessary minimum of theory with specific cases and generous illustrations, and including motor-bikes and marine installations. Expert knowledge does not necessarily make for good writing, but Allard’s long-time involvement (and that of his father Sydney) in the subject has resulted in a readable technical work. GC