How does a turbo-charged engine respond to rapid throttle opening compared to a normally aspirated engine?

In a turbocharged engine, the response to rapid throttle opening can initially be slower compared to a normally aspirated engine due to several factors associated with turbo lag. Turbo lag refers to the delay between the moment the throttle is opened and when the turbocharger reaches its optimal speed to produce increased airflow and boost pressure. When the throttle is opened suddenly, there may be a brief period where the turbo has to spool up before delivering the expected power increase, resulting in a less immediate response.

In contrast, a normally aspirated engine, which relies solely on atmospheric pressure for air intake, does not experience the same delay since it can immediately access the incoming air as the throttle opens. This means that the power delivery can feel more immediate and responsive when changing throttle positions.

While turbocharged engines have significant advantages in terms of overall power and efficiency at higher RPMs, they can experience this initial sluggishness due to the necessity of the turbocharger building up speed and pressure. This delayed response in a turbocharged engine compared to a normally aspirated engine makes the latter feel more agile during rapid throttle openings in certain conditions.