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GM downsizing engines, reveals 2 new compact turbos

GM downsizing engines, reveals 2 new compact turbos

Ralph Hanson May 15th, 2008 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author May 15th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 General Motors has taken heed of public desire for smaller, more economical engines and developed two brand-new engines for its global markets. The new engines consist of a new 1.4-liter petrol unit and a 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) unit, and will be rolled out in GM’s production cars over the next 12 months. Both engines are compact four-cylinder units that use turbochargers to make up for their lack of displacement. The petrol unit delivers an 8% fuel consumption saving compared to a naturally aspirated engine with the same output of 120hp to 140hp. The 1.6 liter CNG unit is more powerful than its smaller petrol brother, churning out an estimated 150hp and 210 Nm of torque. It also cuts CO2 emissions by around 25% when compared to a similarly powerful petrol engine. The CNG unit will likely be used first in the 2009 Opel Zafira minivan although there is no word yet on what other products, including U.S. models, will be using the two engines. Combining small engines with turbo chargers to reduce emissions but maintain performance has been a simple yet effective strategy for manufacturers, especially in light of tougher emissions laws. Turbocharger manufacturer BorgWarner, in fact, has been so convinced of increased turbocharger demand that the company is ramping up production and even building new plants in order to quell demand in the future.
GM downsizing engines, reveals 2 new compact turbos

GM downsizing engines, reveals 2 new compact turbos

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General Motors has taken heed of public desire for smaller, more economical engines and developed two brand-new engines for its global markets. The new engines consist of a new 1.4-liter petrol unit and a 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) unit, and will be rolled out in GM’s production cars over the next 12 months.

Both engines are compact four-cylinder units that use turbochargers to make up for their lack of displacement. The petrol unit delivers an 8% fuel consumption saving compared to a naturally aspirated engine with the same output of 120hp to 140hp.

The 1.6 liter CNG unit is more powerful than its smaller petrol brother, churning out an estimated 150hp and 210 Nm of torque. It also cuts CO2 emissions by around 25% when compared to a similarly powerful petrol engine. The CNG unit will likely be used first in the 2009 Opel Zafira minivan although there is no word yet on what other products, including U.S. models, will be using the two engines.

Combining small engines with turbo chargers to reduce emissions but maintain performance has been a simple yet effective strategy for manufacturers, especially in light of tougher emissions laws. Turbocharger manufacturer BorgWarner, in fact, has been so convinced of increased turbocharger demand that the company is ramping up production and even building new plants in order to quell demand in the future.

Tags: General Motors

Posted in: News


Comments (13 total)

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  1. By Ultra #1, Posted: 5/15/2008

    Hopefully the block and heads are made with the same Lost Foam tecknique so that guys like me can build 300hp versions of the engine. by changing only the pistons,rods and valve springs

  2. By Dcars62 #2, Posted: 5/17/2008

    Hi ultra. 300hp street car thats great!

  3. By Chuck Dyer #3, Posted: 5/17/2008

    Saab has been quietly building fuel efficient turbo automobiles for decades. I own a Saab 9-3 with a 2L turbo motor that delivers 180 hp of usable power while achieving 24 mpg city and 35 mpg hwy. It looks like GM might be leveraging Saab's vast knowledge in building turbo based engines.

  4. By Raptor #4, Posted: 5/26/2008

    Keep the engine sizes, just bolt turbos on :D

  5. By J.B. Harrell #5, Posted: 5/26/2008

    there is no replacement for displacement. 300 horsepower is exteremly weak. If you are going to mod an engine, the best thing to do is start off with a decent engine with good displacement. And with that 300 horse power, an engine as small as Ultra is talking about will not last very long at all.

  6. By J.B. Harrell #6, Posted: 5/26/2008

    You are better off having a V-8 with 300 horse power. It will last forever.

  7. By Austin Douglas #7, Posted: 5/26/2008

    to accord J.B. A small liter engine that can output 300 + HP is where the efficiency comes into play, so Ultra's ideal is not so farfetched as it is a pipe-dream, if both opportunities are to be meet effectively, I would recommend a displacement along the lines of 2.0- 2.4 liter straight 4's or average v6 engines, like those coming from the nissan lineups. to have a v8 producing a solid 300 BHP is not bad, but I can safely assume the efficiency will not be held for daily use, gas spiking era here!

  8. By kin #8, Posted: 5/27/2008

    "150hp and 210 Nm of torque"

    do you guys mind in future articles picking and using only 1 system of units?

    English or Metric

    kthxbye

  9. By vb #9, Posted: 5/27/2008

    In fact, hp is metric, bhp is english. 1 bhp = 1,014 DIN-HP = 745,7 W. Although in physics hp has been completely replaced by watts, in the car-industry hp is still used in countries with metric system.

  10. By Andy #10, Posted: 5/27/2008

    J.B. you are either missing the point or just trolling.

    A four-cylinder turbo engine will put out far less CO2 per HP than a V8 will. CO2 limits on engine design is, unfortunately, something car manufacturers have to deal with.

    These engines are primarily designed for the market niche they fit into. They aren't being built to run 300bhp, but it's not a stretch to build an engine that can run at this power all day long anyway. A reliable 300bhp from a turbocharged 1.6 is something that Honda Civic owners have enjoyed for a good many years and that's using an old engine design. A modern-day engine tuned to this power could virtually be sold with a standard warranty, it's that obtainable.

  11. By Ultra #11, Posted: 5/27/2008

    hhmmm I dont think you guys realize what I said. An Ecotec 2.0 can make 400hp with upgraded , Rods,Pistons,Valve springs,and a turbo kit and still deliver 30mpg when not racing. Will last forever if you use good parts . The good thing is that the engine is so small that you can upgrade the engine in 1 day .

    If they use a Lost foam process on these new small 1.6 engines then someone can easily buy 500dollar pistons ,forged rods and valve springs and get Tons more power for a low cost car. just like they do for the Civi Si 1.6.

    300hp is a Lot for these small cars. A cobalt does 12s with 15psi. and the block is strong enough to handle 60psi with upgrade Sleves and Steel headgasket Acordng to Gm racing team.

  12. By Keith Sketchley #12, Posted: 5/27/2008

    All same Europe for eons?

  13. By ohmy #13, Posted: 6/9/2008

    all of this "efficiency" doesnt matter when we will pay more in the pump for the premium gas since they're turboed, therefore in the longterm, any savings is negated through the consumer since they spend more in gas.

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