kompressor

[barrywom]

There's recently been a spate of German cars with the designation kompressor (BMWs and Mercs). What does it mean? I originally thought it meant compact or coupe or something, but I've seen it on big estates as well.

[incitatus]

Oddly enough it means compressor. As in a thing that compresses. Quite why I have no idea. Are they all turbocharged? this is a form of compressor....

[cynthia dyke]

No, they are not all turbo-charged. In fact, the term kompressor is genericallty used to mean supercharger, which is a totally different concept. It is engine-driven (rather than taking its motive power from exhaust gases) and, apart from sapping a few bhp from the ultimate output, is superior in almost evey respect. Not the least of it being that extra power is available almost immediately with no so-called turbo-lag.

[fahey2512]

supercharged