General Motors' European division has announced the development of three new engines that will provide the power consumers crave while returning higher fuel economy and lower emissions. Two turbocharged engines, ranging in output from 1.0- to 1.4-liters will between 120 hp and 129 lb.-ft. of torque, and 140 hp and 148 lb.-ft. of torque, while returning an eight-percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to their larger displacement counterparts. The duo of new engines will find their way into the new Astra and some European-market Chevys in 2010, although there's no word if either engine will make the trek across the Atlantic.Hit the jump to read up on both engines and a new, 1.6-liter CNG-powered mill that GM plans to market in Germany and Italy.
PRESS RELEASE
GM Announces Two New Fuel Efficient Engines
1.4-Liter Turbo for Global Applications and 1.6-Liter CNG Turbo To Debut in Opel Zafira
Turin/Italy – General Motors Corp. will introduce, starting in 2009, two new engines with significant fuel efficiency gains for vehicles marketed in Europe and other regions. The announcement was made this week at a GM Powertrain Europe event showcasing its comprehensive line-up of advanced propulsion technologies currently under development.
The 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be used in vehicles worldwide starting in 2010. The 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be introduced in the Opel Zafira in 2009. Both engines are new variants of GM's existing engine families used globally.
"These new engines represent our ongoing approach to replace larger displacement engines with more compact, highly charged units for maximum performance and efficiency benefits," says Dan Hancock, GM Powertrain Vice President, Global Engineering.
1.4-Liter Turbo
The 1.4-liter Turbo engine is a new addition to an engine family that ranges from 1.0 to 1.4-liter displacement. The engine will produce an estimated output ranging from 88 kW/120 hp to 104 kW/140 hp and torque values of 175 to 200 Nm. It will deliver an approximate 8 percent improvement in fuel consumption (compared to a higher displacement naturally aspirated engine with similar output) and will be EURO 5 compliant. Key features include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, full variable valve timing, thermal management, flow-controlled oil pump, and a reinforced crankshaft and connecting rod.
The engine will be manufactured at the GM Powertrain assembly facility in Aspern, Austria.
1.6-Liter CNG Turbo
The 1.6-liter CNG Turbo is a new variant in the 1.6-liter engine family that includes a naturally aspirated gasoline unit and a CNG unit. The engine will generate an estimated output of 110 kW/150 hp and an estimated torque of 210 Nm. Key features include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, an intake manifold with a gasoline and CNG fuel rail, and an oil cooler and piston cooling.
The 1.6-liter CNG Turbo will be produced in the GM Powertrain assembly facility in Szentgotthard, Hungary.
CNG has a 25 percent lower CO2 value than a comparable gasoline engine. GM has been successful in Europe with CNG in the Opel Zafira, which features a 1.6-liter CNG naturally aspirated engine. Italy and Germany are the two major markets for CNG within Europe.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2LS7? @ May 16th 2008 5:42PM
Misleading summary. I thought this was a 120HP 1.0L engine! But it doesn't seem to be, it's a 1.4L engine making 140HP, with a promise of a 1.0L engine in the future, but no promise as to the output of it.
vwboyaf1 @ May 16th 2008 5:43PM
The future is looking very bright for people who like fuel efficient vehicles. It is this type of development that helped Toyota and Honda become the leaders of the hp/liter arena.
Colin Smith @ May 16th 2008 5:57PM
Turin?
Looks like Fiat Powertrain, in which GM still has an interest.
Fiat has been using some of these engines for a while now, with a slightly enhanced power output.
Fiat is also close to producing a new twin of 0.9 litres. GM may also use this Fiat powerplant.
Rick @ May 16th 2008 6:14PM
Bingo. They are using various versions of Fiat's engines in Europe. My favorite is the 1.9 liter turbo diesel in the Caddy CTC or whatever they call over there. 190 hp and 295 ft lbs of torque...and great mileage.
Ian B. @ May 16th 2008 6:23PM
The partnership is officially over, but GM still has the rights to use Fiat's engines.
the law @ May 16th 2008 6:06PM
wonder whats going on at VM motori.any new diesel models for the NA?
I hope the US market gets some of this new technology.seems like we never get anything new from the BIG 3.
I could see these in used in many Chevy,Pontiac and diesels Saab, and Caddy.
Colin Smith @ May 16th 2008 6:31PM
Correct: Saab and Caddy use these diesels already, as does Suzuki (GM). And Alfa was the very first to use this, he first common rail engine, in 1997. It has been developed since and is the core Fiat group diesel engine.
The little petrols are very fast but, as has been noted elsewhere, not that much more economical in many circumstances than a larger more conventional motor - but everyone finds them fun - which is probably the problem!
A clever new cylinder head is on the way fo all these engines which will cut emissions, enhance power, and cut fuel consumption.
Gas here is $11 a gallon!
the law @ May 17th 2008 11:50AM
$11 per gallon where in Europe?UK
Dave @ May 17th 2008 7:50AM
I have been driving for mileage for 10 + years and would like a more fuel sipping engine here in the states. As long as it has about 80 hp that would be more than enough if the return was great mpg.
Colin Smith @ May 18th 2008 4:52PM
For the law...
Yes, the UK, roughly, and rising...
Sales of cars are still holding up apparently, but this doesn't include sales of SUVs and largish cars - excluding Ferraris etc. - which are falling off a cliff.
Justin @ May 17th 2008 1:54PM
Something like this would be perfect in the next cobalt or aveo.
HotRodzNKustoms @ May 18th 2008 2:13PM
I remember hearing Lutz say the 1.4T was destined for the Astra in the US. But I will take that with a grain of salt.
tanooki2003 @ May 19th 2008 10:33AM
I am actually not surprised by this news. The US automakers do not know diddly squat about fuel sipping technologies. They are still all about their V8's and have been given a very bad perception of 4 cylinder engines.
I might actually be surprised if the Chevy Volt turns out to live up to it's hype, which I don't.
Detfan @ May 20th 2008 10:47AM
GM is perfecting their HCCI technology, which will increase mileage by 15%-20%. That means today's Cobalt, now getting 36 mpg highway, could get around 42 with HCCI.
Plus, it looks like the Volt could get over 50 miles on a charge instead of 40. The batteries are getting 40 in a Malibu. Heavier car with little aerodynamics compared to the Volt. That would really be great for the Volt.