The effect of cylinder shutdown on fuel consumption depends a lot on the conditions and the logic of the controller... some early MDS systems didn't have a big effect in real-world driving.

-----

Modern turbos are quite something compared to old ones. Less friction (the disco potato feels like it's suspended by magnets... it spins like crazy!), Variable Geometry Turbine technology, better electronic controls. Better design, so you don't get the oil coking problems of old.

A lot of new turbo engines don't "feel" like a turbo. The rush is smooth, not sudden, and you don't have all those pops and whistles of yesteryear.

Just spent all weekend thrashing a turbo car, and it sounded and felt just like a big NA car... hehehe...

But somehow... it doesn't quite have the romance of an old-school system... dum-dee-dum-dum... (boost ramp up!) OhMySweetJesusThisIsFast!!!!