GM to build (very) small 4-cylinder engine family in the U.S.

minnfang · 06-25-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

In light of the recent high gas prices, GM will start producing small four-cylinder engines with decidedly European-like displacements in the U.S. as soon as 2010. The Family Zero range will displace from 1.0- to 1.4-liters and will be assembled at the automaker’s Flint, Michigan powertrain plant.

More at link...
http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-bu...in-the-us.html

It sounds like a mixed up mess of facts when you read the rest of the article. (Unless everything we've heard so far is wrong.) Motor Trend magazine strikes again...

**Ming** · 06-25-2008, 11:31 AM

Hooray x2! Is a little van in my future? Are the Chevy Triplets in the upcoming Transformers movie more than concept cars that never will be?

Let's hope GM can last until 2010 with all of its financial woes...

geozinger · 06-25-2008, 11:39 AM

Go Flint!

From the article, this sounds like it may be the global manufacturing center for these engines... Kind of like the GEM plant in Dundee, MI, which supplies, Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai with 4 cyl engines...

Good news. I hope we hear more...

tomcat_cool17 · 06-25-2008, 11:42 AM

We have some really good operations up here, so I'm glad to see more products coming. Lord knows our area needs something new.

ohmywrd8 · 06-25-2008, 11:59 AM

Good, this will solve some problems. I hope. But time will tell.

ronald mcretard · 06-25-2008, 12:07 PM

why is this in "alternative fuels and propulsion news"? they are talking about regular gas engines, right?

i guess "smaller" means "alternative"? that makes no sense to me.

anyway, i second Ming's comments. I want to buy a Beat in 2009 or 2010.

Mikkoo · 06-25-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

why is this in "alternative fuels and propulsion news"? they are talking about regular gas engines, right?

i guess "smaller" means "alternative"? that makes no sense to me.

anyway, i second Ming's comments. I want to buy a Beat in 2009 or 2010.

In order to achieve the high gas mileage requirements that the avg American is going to
demand, the only way besides two mode hybrid is small displacement four cylinders
like we have here in Europe. The Beat will be quite light, so I'm sure it won't be a
dog if there is a turbo option. Cheer up, you'll learn to love waving at gasoline stations,
because you'll be filling up far less than you are today.

kmacleod · 06-25-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

why is this in "alternative fuels and propulsion news"? they are talking about regular gas engines, right?

i guess "smaller" means "alternative"? that makes no sense to me.

anyway, i second Ming's comments. I want to buy a Beat in 2009 or 2010.

I assume this engine family will power such vehicles as the Volt?

Ken

EDIT: Should have read the article first.................

**Ming** · 06-25-2008, 12:29 PM

Blame me for moving it to the "wrong" forum as we don't have a forum for radical departures from GM USA's powertrain strategy. It seemed appropriate at the time (I mean, how often has GM USA built and sold a 1.0L displacement engine?) Now it's moved. But the smallest one would seem appropriate indeed as a "back up" engine for all sorts of larger alternative propulsion vehicles from GM.

Just remember that Kei cars that make up 50% of the Japanese market have engines HALF the displacement of a 1.4L 4-cyl. (at 660cc's), and one less cylinder. A 1.0L 4-banger is no slouch if the car is small enough, especially if it is turbocharged. I've been on a wild ride in a turbocharged 660cc Suzuki WagonR on the streets outside of Tokyo. A car like that can be a blast.

So if GM plays this as a revolutionary move for the U.S. market (in addition to the much more expensive Volt), they should have no problem building a small, super-efficient car that is safer and somewhat larger than a Japanese Kei car, and can keep up with 70MPH highway traffic. I fully expect some variant of the Matiz, as the Matiz/Spark has about the same displacement as these engines, if memory serves. The Aveo overseas has a 1.4L, I think?

Putting the 1.0L in the Volt would make sense as a $40,000 Volt - or other pricey e-flex engine setups that use it - would surely make up for any differences in labor costs building the engines here... And they help make the business case for a 1.4L small car engine in the same factory. After all, you want to keep as much of your futuristic Volt type cars components manufactured in Flint! Go Tropical!

Current (660cc) Kei car (Suzuki Cervo):

Matiz/Spark:

Beat Concept:

WishIhadatruck · 06-25-2008, 12:38 PM

I can't wait to see what cars the 1.4L DI turbo motor goes into. I'd like a small van too Ming but I think a Zafira is small enough for me. I've got 3 kids and still need some room. Those micro vans are pretty pratical looking if they work for you but I'm not sure I can go that small.

FenwickHockey65 · 06-25-2008, 12:41 PM

Sweet. We should be able to milk 45+ MPGs out of that.

Supernoma · 06-25-2008, 12:42 PM

The crankshaft in this engine is very different, unlike anything GM has done before. Also, its insanely tiny, even the 2.4L crank dwarfs it.

kodos78 · 06-25-2008, 01:13 PM

If GM Powertrain puts their minds to it, they can do anything. I have lots of faith in the GM Powertrain group. Go GM!

ronald mcretard · 06-25-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ming

Blame me for moving it to the "wrong" forum as we don't have a forum for radical departures from GM USA's powertrain strategy. It seemed appropriate at the time (I mean, how often has GM USA built and sold a 1.0L displacement engine?) Now it's moved. But the smallest one would seem appropriate indeed as a "back up" engine for all sorts of larger alternative propulsion vehicles from GM.

Yeah, it makes sense if this engine is exclusively for hybrids or something. I guess my point was that smaller displacement engines will be commonplace soon, and shouldn't be thought of as alternative (kind of the way "alternative rock" became mainstream).

JeffInDFW · 06-25-2008, 01:17 PM

I just hope by GM selling these roller skates, it will allow them to continue to sell a few cars that I would actually buy. None of these things are going to be on Barrett Jackson in 2035....

These times need these cars, but there are still guys like me out here that will pay for the gas to fuel a high horsepower, good handeling car. I hope GM can continue to offer them, and not go back to the mid and late 70s when EVERYTHING was crap.

06-25-2008, 11:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ming GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Texas Posts: 13,430	Re: GM to build small four-cylinder engine family in the U.S. Hooray x2! Is a little van in my future? Are the Chevy Triplets in the upcoming Transformers movie more than concept cars that never will be? Let's hope GM can last until 2010 with all of its financial woes... __________________ The Latest: Step by Step - How to Play Commodore 64 Games on a PC Last edited by Ming : 06-25-2008 at 11:40 AM.

06-25-2008, 11:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
geozinger 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Drives: 1995 Pontiac Sunfire GT 1997 Chevy Cavalier 2006 Posts: 584	Re: GM to build small four-cylinder engine family in the U.S. Go Flint! From the article, this sounds like it may be the global manufacturing center for these engines... Kind of like the GEM plant in Dundee, MI, which supplies, Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai with 4 cyl engines... Good news. I hope we hear more... __________________ geozinger 95 Pontiac Sunfire GT (Quad4) 97 Chevy Cavalier 06 Chevy Malibu Maxx

06-25-2008, 11:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
tomcat_cool17 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Flint, MI Drives: 2007 Saturn Ion QC Posts: 414	Re: GM to build small four-cylinder engine family in the U.S. We have some really good operations up here, so I'm glad to see more products coming. Lord knows our area needs something new. __________________ "This is supposed to be a free market. If consumers need fuel efficient cars, it's their responsibility to buy efficient cars." "The gov't won't help in a bailout, but they have massive demands..."

06-25-2008, 11:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
ohmywrd8 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago suburbs Drives: 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit Posts: 470	Re: GM to build small four-cylinder engine family in the U.S. Good, this will solve some problems. I hope. But time will tell.

06-25-2008, 12:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
ronald mcretard 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,994	Re: GM to build small four-cylinder engine family in the U.S. why is this in "alternative fuels and propulsion news"? they are talking about regular gas engines, right? i guess "smaller" means "alternative"? that makes no sense to me. anyway, i second Ming's comments. I want to buy a Beat in 2009 or 2010.

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06-25-2008, 12:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ming GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Texas Posts: 13,430	Re: GM to build (very) small 4-cylinder engine family in the U.S. Blame me for moving it to the "wrong" forum as we don't have a forum for radical departures from GM USA's powertrain strategy. It seemed appropriate at the time (I mean, how often has GM USA built and sold a 1.0L displacement engine?) Now it's moved. But the smallest one would seem appropriate indeed as a "back up" engine for all sorts of larger alternative propulsion vehicles from GM. Just remember that Kei cars that make up 50% of the Japanese market have engines HALF the displacement of a 1.4L 4-cyl. (at 660cc's), and one less cylinder. A 1.0L 4-banger is no slouch if the car is small enough, especially if it is turbocharged. I've been on a wild ride in a turbocharged 660cc Suzuki WagonR on the streets outside of Tokyo. A car like that can be a blast. So if GM plays this as a revolutionary move for the U.S. market (in addition to the much more expensive Volt), they should have no problem building a small, super-efficient car that is safer and somewhat larger than a Japanese Kei car, and can keep up with 70MPH highway traffic. I fully expect some variant of the Matiz, as the Matiz/Spark has about the same displacement as these engines, if memory serves. The Aveo overseas has a 1.4L, I think? Putting the 1.0L in the Volt would make sense as a $40,000 Volt - or other pricey e-flex engine setups that use it - would surely make up for any differences in labor costs building the engines here... And they help make the business case for a 1.4L small car engine in the same factory. After all, you want to keep as much of your futuristic Volt type cars components manufactured in Flint! Go Tropical! Current (660cc) Kei car (Suzuki Cervo): Matiz/Spark: Beat Concept: __________________ The Latest: Step by Step - How to Play Commodore 64 Games on a PC Last edited by Ming : 06-25-2008 at 12:46 PM.

06-25-2008, 12:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
WishIhadatruck 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Drives: '01 Grand Prix GT '96 Roadmaster Wagon Posts: 1,407	Re: GM to build (very) small 4-cylinder engine family in the U.S. I can't wait to see what cars the 1.4L DI turbo motor goes into. I'd like a small van too Ming but I think a Zafira is small enough for me. I've got 3 kids and still need some room. Those micro vans are pretty pratical looking if they work for you but I'm not sure I can go that small. __________________ 1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

06-25-2008, 12:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 5,493	Re: GM to build (very) small 4-cylinder engine family in the U.S. Sweet. We should be able to milk 45+ MPGs out of that. __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS: 3.6L DI VVT V6

06-25-2008, 12:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
Supernoma 2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC Join Date: Apr 2005 Drives: 2005 Pontiac GTO Posts: 165	Re: GM to build (very) small 4-cylinder engine family in the U.S. The crankshaft in this engine is very different, unlike anything GM has done before. Also, its insanely tiny, even the 2.4L crank dwarfs it. __________________ 2005 Torrid Red GTO 2008 Saturn Aura XR

06-25-2008, 01:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
kodos78 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2006 Drives: '08 HHR SS '07 SC'd Mustang GT Posts: 342	Re: GM to build (very) small 4-cylinder engine family in the U.S. If GM Powertrain puts their minds to it, they can do anything. I have lots of faith in the GM Powertrain group. Go GM! __________________ 2008 HHR SS 5 speed. 2008 Chrysler T&C, Signature Series. 2007 Mustang GT Vert, 475bhp Saleen SC. Previously: 2006 Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition 2005 Dodge SRT-4 2004 Cadillac CTS 1998 Honda Accord 1997 LS1 Corvette

06-25-2008, 01:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
JeffInDFW 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 323	Re: GM to build (very) small 4-cylinder engine family in the U.S. I just hope by GM selling these roller skates, it will allow them to continue to sell a few cars that I would actually buy. None of these things are going to be on Barrett Jackson in 2035.... These times need these cars, but there are still guys like me out here that will pay for the gas to fuel a high horsepower, good handeling car. I hope GM can continue to offer them, and not go back to the mid and late 70s when EVERYTHING was crap.

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