[HoosierRon]

GM to Introduce Two New Fuel-Efficient Engine Variants in 2009

A 1.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be used in vehicles worldwide starting in 2010. A 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be introduced in the Opel Zafira in 2009.

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 to 104 kW (120 hp to 140 hp) and torque values of 175 Nm to 200 Nm (129 lb-ft to 148 lb-ft). It will deliver an approximate 8% improvement in fuel consumption (compared to a higher displacement naturally aspirated engine with similar output) and will be Euro 5 compliant.

Injection nozzles are positioned centrally in the combustion chamber for the direct injection (up to 200 bar) to make sure that a homogeneous mixture is produced and also ensure that the design will not become outdated, as it will also be suitable for other future developments such as HCCI.

The two camshafts can be adjusted independently of one another. At medium load, the intake valves are closed late, which is good for low fuel consumption. At low engine speeds and high loads, on the other hand, the engine works with a higher valve overlap to improve the torque curve.

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.

GM Launches two new turbocharged engines

Depending on the application, the engines will generate 120-140hp and use eight percent less fuel than a comparable output 1.8L normally aspirated engine. The turbocharger is integrated into the exhaust manifold and both the intake and exhaust valve timing can be fully varied. We drove an Astra with a prototype of this engine last summer and it felt stronger than the production 1.8L model thanks to better low end torque.

The other new engine is a 1.6L unit that will only be offered in Europe