The examples being lets say BMW E46 M3 and the new BMW G80 M3. The E46 has a 3.2 i6 NA that makes 338hp, the G80 M3 has a 3.0 i6 twin turbo that makes 510hp.
What technological advancements have been made, other than the turbos and 20 years, that separate these 2 cars?
If you know something really technical feel free to share.
Turbos, direct injection, variable valve timing/lift, materials, engine management systems (ecu software), compression ratios, cooling.
Turbos and direct injection are probably the primary drivers in power, but improvement over time comes from many small improvements in all areas.
As others have noted, modern cars are massively more _efficient_ than older cars. That doesn’t necessarily mean they consume less fuel - it means fuel/power conversion is improved, so your engine does more work for the same capacity.
Yeah, all of this.
I used to have a Skyline with a built RB25, made 450-500hp, and beyond that it was either too laggy or too peaky. Just using a modern turbo and E85, it’d be just as drivable and make 550-600hp now, quite easily.
Nowadays, my stock M3 makes 450bhp, and with not much work will make 550bhp… times have changed