What distinguishes a naturally aspirated engine from a turbocharged engine?

A naturally aspirated engine distinguishes itself from a turbocharged engine primarily by its method of air intake. In a naturally aspirated engine, air enters the combustion chamber through the engine's intake manifold relying solely on atmospheric pressure. This means that the engine's performance is limited by the natural atmospheric pressure and the engine's design, such as its displacement and intake passage size.

In contrast, a turbocharged engine incorporates a turbine-driven forced induction system. This system uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in turn drives a compressor that forces additional air into the combustion chamber. This allows the engine to take in more air than it would under normal atmospheric conditions, which can significantly increase power output.

The understanding of these mechanisms provides insight into the key performance differences between the two types of engines. Turbocharged engines generally offer improved efficiency and power density due to their ability to compress air and push more fuel into the combustion chamber compared to their naturally aspirated counterparts.