Autoblog

Four-cylinders increase lead over V6s as engine of choice for Americans

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:32:00 EST

America cho-cho-chooses the four-cylinder engine as its preferred means of locomotion. In fact, the four banger has been the favored choice since taking the lead over six-cylinder engines a few years back. The four-versus-six debate was neck in neck back in 2005, when six-cylinder engines accounted for 43 percent of the market. Now, it's the four pots that own 43 percent of the market.

There's no mystery behind the shift in consumer buying patterns. Fuel prices are higher, four cylinder engines keep getting better and the economy continues to remain flat.

It's also no surprise that a the eight cylinder engine has also fallen out of favor with new car shoppers. In 2005, a V8 could be found powering one in three new vehicles. Today, that powerplant has fallen to powering one in six. Time, as they say, marches on...

Four-cylinders increase lead over V6s as engine of choice for Americans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four-cylinder engines power 65.4% of cars built in 2010

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Back in 2008, soaring gas prices sent car buyers in search of efficient four-cylinder vehicles and, as the numbers show, sales of V6 and V8 engines dropped from 63.9 percent to 57.1 percent when gas prices spiked. Though elevated fuel costs may have triggered the increased demand for four-cylinder power a few years ago, the numbers show that the four-banger's rise to dominance continues.

According to data posted by Ward's Auto, the V8 engine powered a mere 20.8 percent of the total North American light-vehicle output in 2010, down from the 22.8 percent in 2009. In contrast, the four-cylinder engine powered 64.5 percent of all cars built in 2010, an increase from the 61.9 percent in 2009. Ward's chalks up the rising popularity of the once-lowly four-banger to technical improvements, such as direct injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing systems, that have transformed some four-cylinder engines into potent mills that consume significantly less fuel than many V6 and V8 engines.

[Source: Ward's Auto - sub. req.]

Four-cylinder engines power 65.4% of cars built in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai RWD coupe coming to London motor show in '08

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows

During an interview with BusinessCar, Hyundai UK's head Tony Whitehorn finally confirmed what's been rumored for going on a year: the automaker's new RWD coupe will replace the Tiburon. The coupe will take about 50- to 60-percent of the styling cues originally debuted on the Veloster concept and is set to make its world debut at the London Motor Show in July of 2008.

When the as-of-yet unnamed coupe goes on sale, expect power to be provided by the automaker's 260 HP 3.8-liter V6, with the possibility of a two-liter turbocharged mill finding its way underhood. Whitehorn goes on to eschew rumors of a V8 powerplant, as well as hybrid and diesel options. Doh!

[Source: BusinessCar via Motor Authority]

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept

Hyundai RWD coupe coming to London motor show in '08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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