GM 4-cylinder Models Hit 40% of Retail Sales in June, Doubling 2007 Figures

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by Flyingbunnys

Now if only GM has a good small 4-cylinder. The Aveo is a joke and the cobalt doesn't even hold a stick to the Focus.

How hard could it be to tape a stick to a Cobalt so it could hold it to a Focus?
Screw those cup holders! GM engineers need to get to work on those stick holders!

Nothing like a good piece of hickory.

[GMusa]

Good.. now build a 300hp trubocharged 4-Cylinder and put it in the next-gen G6 Sedan GXP with XWD to do battle against the STi/Evo!!. So i can sell my Evo for an American AWD performace car!

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by nsap

Engine wise? I would say the 2.2L VVT ECOTEC is probably one of the best on the market now. 150 HP and fuel economy numbers that match or better the best-in-class numbers in all configurations is pretty good.

Isn't DI coming next year too?

[kodos78]

The 2.0 DI Turbo in the Cobalt SS and HHR SS is a fine motor, and arguably class leading. 2.0L making 260hp and 260lb-ft torque?

Now if GM had a small RWD coupe like the 1 or 3 series using it.... oh baby!

[member12]

Originally Posted by dav305z

Umm, have you seen the new Focus? It's a very old design and not all that attractive. The only thing Ford is doing with the Focus that GM is not is advertising the hell out of it.

That "very old design" handles very well, offers decent interior room and comfort, and offers a new engine/transmission since 2007. Hopefully, it will prove more reliable than the 2000-2005 model year Focus. It offers much better mileage than the previous generation car and better interior quality.

It's a different animal from the 2000 ZTEC powered car....which is proven with increased sales- even if it shares some parts. It's not my favorite small car, but it does sell.

I'd go a Mazda3, Lancer, Astra, or Civic over the Focus....but I'd choose a Focus over a Corolla or Cobalt sedan.

[member12]

Originally Posted by kodos78

The 2.0 DI Turbo in the Cobalt SS and HHR SS is a fine motor, and arguably class leading. 2.0L making 260hp and 260lb-ft torque?

Now if GM had a small RWD coupe like the 1 or 3 series using it.... oh baby!

I've wanted to see a Kappa based coupe for Chevrolet with the 260 horsepower car.

Something about the size of the Cobalt coupe. That car deserves to be RWD.

[geozinger]

I had a Dodge Lancer Turbo ES years ago, it's roughly the same size as my Malibu Maxx. It had the old Turbo 2.2 and the auto trans (and the best part was the hatchback) and got decent mileage on the freeway. Granted, that old Lancer weighed about as much as my Sunfire (2850 lbs.), but with 150 HP it was a pretty decent little performer with about 25-27 on long drives. The three speed auto really killed any great mileage with that car.

I could see where something like a G6 with the DI 2.0 Eco Turbo and the old six speed man tran would be a stout little machine. I think I would go for something like that.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by nsap

Good point. I would love to see the 2.0L in the Epsilon cars. That would be an interesting setup.

Speaking of the 4-cylinder Colorado/Canyon. We just took delivery of a 4-cylinder Colorado Extended Cab at work. I love driving the little thing! It's so peppy.

Cool, my favorite is the 4-cyl. Crew Cab -- great pricing, utility and 4-doors! Fuel economy blows the doors off of full size pickups -- see the window stickers HERE.

A lot of people make them out to be awful inside and uncompetive, but I guess I have lower standards than most when it comes to 4-cylinder utilitarian vehicles, because I thought the Canyon I sat in was fine, more or less. Even the old-school head unit had MP3 CD capability added.

The worst part about them historically has been the awful incentives.

[dindak]

I was thinking of going 4 cyl. but after trying a Aura XE-4, I decided it's not worth it. I gas cost me an extra $20-30 a month, so be it. I don't drive that much anyway and when I do, I want to enjoy!!

[steinravnik]

Originally Posted by dav305z

Umm, have you seen the new Focus? It's a very old design and not all that attractive. The only thing Ford is doing with the Focus that GM is not is advertising the hell out of it.

I agree 100%. The new Focus is hideous and looks like a Kia. The Cobalt is no beauty queen either, but at least it looks decent, if not a little boring.

I still think the Civic or Mazda 3 is the one to beat.

[Chevy Ryan]

Originally Posted by Flyingbunnys

Now if only GM has a good small 4-cylinder. The Aveo is a joke and the cobalt doesn't even hold a stick to the Focus.

My 2006 2.2L is an awesome engine. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and a GMPP intake and consistently get 6-8 mpg higher than the EPA rating (28-29 city and 37-39 highway). And I still have way more power than my buddy's 2006 Civic, which has to be over 4000 rpm to do what my car does at 2500.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by steinravnik

I agree 100%. The new Focus is hideous and looks like a Kia. The Cobalt is no beauty queen either, but at least it looks decent, if not a little boring.

I still think the Civic or Mazda 3 is the one to beat.

The Focus has a "uniqueness" all its own that makes KIAs look good... It reminds me of the styling debacle that was the first year of the Saturn ION.

Designers in Detroit or California who try to make an American car look like an import be it Japanese or European (or worse yet "unique") with dismal results.

[TruckMan]

I've got a hypothetical question for everybody to educate myself a little on these engines... Does a 200hp 4-cyl with Turbo get that much better gas mileage over a 200hp V-6? And what is the retail price difference between the two engines? I'm just curious as to how much is actually being saved with these little engines.

[PeterPuck]

The Focus is just fine, people. The two-door Cobalt is a better-looking vehicle, for sure.

In fact, the two-door Cobalt is one of the best-looking small cars on the road.

But it's NOT a better vehicle than the Focus. Far from it. Also, keep in mind that the Cobalt routinely scores among the worst in owner-satisfaction surveys -- along with the Uplander et al. Owners tend to like their Focuses.

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by TruckMan

I've got a hypothetical question for everybody to educate myself a little on these engines... Does a 200hp 4-cyl with Turbo get that much better gas mileage over a 200hp V-6? And what is the retail price difference between the two engines? I'm just curious as to how much is actually being saved with these little engines.

It depends on the size of the vehicle. If you were to say put a 200hp Turbo-4 in the Impala you'd lose mileage vs the 3.5L pushrod V6. But that's because the torque required to move the car benefits the pushrod engine. In a Malibu you'd probably get better mpg's out of a turbo-4. Also remember Turbo=compression=premium fuel.