In engine design, charging refers to a simple principle: increasing the power of the engine by supplying air at increased pressure, thereby improving combustion. Whereas in conventional, naturally aspirated engines, the combustion air is simply sucked in from the environment during the intake stroke, with supercharged engines it is first compressed and then delivered to the engine. This allows considerably greater air mass and more efficient fuel consumption for the same volume. Thus, power and torque can be significantly increased at the same revolutions and with the same engine capacity.
