GM bringing 3-cylinder back to N.A. RICHARD TRUETT
December 01, 2019 autonews.com
After a 20-year absence, the three-cylinder engine is returning to General Motors' North American vehicles.
The Buick Encore GX and the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be offered with 1.2- and 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engines, starting next year.
The last time GM sold a vehicle in the U.S. with a three-cylinder was in 2000: The Chevrolet Metro was equipped with a 1.0-liter nonturbo engine rated at 55 hp. In comparison, the automaker's modern-day 1.3-liter is rated at 155 hp.
GM has not disclosed the 1.2-liter's U.S. power specs, but in vehicles sold overseas, it is rated at 137 hp.
The three-cylinder engines, though new to the U.S., have been in production since 2014 and were developed in Europe and Asia by GM and some of its joint-venture partners.
The engine family is used in several vehicles made by SAIC, which markets vehicles under the MG and Roewe brands. SAIC builds its own versions of the engines. GM will make the engines at its Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, plant, said spokesman Kevin Kelly.
Glad to see these engines are making their way over. I'm not longing for a 3-cylinder motor, but at some point, the price of fuel will likely rise again. When that happens, these more fuel efficient motors will have already been federalized for our market -- and that's a good thing for consumers.
autonews.com said:
The 1.2-liter is one of the smallest-displacement engines ever offered by GM in North America. Besides the 1.0-liter Metro engine, the only other smaller engine was a 1.1-liter four-cylinder available in the Opel GT sport coupe in the late 1960s.
That's an interesting bit of information. While I doubt GM would ever make kei car sized motors for the US market, this ought to look good in a green-themed press release.
I'm not longing for a 3-cylinder motor, but at some point, the price of fuel will likely rise again. When that happens, these more fuel efficient motors will have already been federalized for our market -- and that's a good thing for consumers.
My only issue with these is, what will they be like in high altitude and hilly locations like out here in the Rocky Mountains? Likely they very well may wheeze a lot or be a gutless wonder with not enough power to pull the skin off a pudding.
Well the Turbo should help substantially, considering they do better in altitude than NA engines. Plus if they get the 9-speed that's a lot of TQ multiplication. They won't be burners, but they should be fine.
My only issue with these is, what will they be like in high altitude and hilly locations like out here in the Rocky Mountains? Likely they very well may wheeze a lot or be a gutless wonder with not enough power to pull the skin off a pudding.
As CJH notes, turbos do well at altitude. Three or four cylinders.
I can only speak for my '15 Soul 2.0/6A, but when we crossed several mountain ranges which peaked at about 5000', I didn't feel a lot of power loss. What I did notice was the car would kick down earlier and stay in a lower gear for a long time on some uphill stretches. But it never struggled, that was a 3000 pound car with about 500# of cargo aboard.
I would love to try either of these engines in an updated Sonic sedan or hatchback...stick shift...but of course I’m not holding my breath.
My 1.8L Sonic 5sp can get 40-41MPG on the highway, so the 1.2T (which has about the same hp and more torque) should do very nicely. No CVT for me, thanks.
That said, these look good and should sell well for Chevy.
My 1.8L Sonic 5sp can get 40-41MPG on the highway, so the 1.2T (which has about the same hp and more torque) should do very nicely. No CVT for me, thanks.
Nothing special though. Our 2.0L Diesel Cruze, fully loaded, heated leather, automatic etc gets 50+ on the highway and much faster than a NA 1.8L engine. Going across central Ohio (flat land) we'd see 60+mpg. Warren Ohio to Ardmore Alabama can be done on 1 tank of fuel.
I didn't feel a lot of power loss. What I did notice was the car would kick down earlier and stay in a lower gear for a long time on some uphill stretches. But it never struggled, that was a 3000 pound car with about 500# of cargo aboard.
Yet another plus for the 2.0L Diesel in the cruze. Loaded with people and luggage we have yet to experience this on the highway, it just chews up the hills.
Personally I think GM missed an opportunity by not offering the 2.0L Diesel in the Equinox back in 2014.
Performance and mileage. The reason I never bought that generation 'nox was I didn't trust either engine option.
Makes sense as times have changed and the power from a 4 cylinder can now rival a V8 from not to long ago. A 3 cylinder 20 years ago was an anemic disappointment, but now they should (and do) make more than ample power. Not a sport engine, but something that will make most people happy.
I remember back in the day I had a (Suzuki 3 cyl.) GEO Metro Turbo Sprint. Through the haze of my memory I recall it being economical and a lot of fun.
I just hope we don't see another Silverado with the 4 cyl where we saw no MPG improvement. I think we're just seeing GM prep for imports from China when a trade deal gets signed. GM will drop Korea and bring every sedan and future EV from China.
Right-O. Other than the perhaps-shrinking enthusiast community, very few drivers know or care much about what's under the hood. What's it cost, what are the payments, is it comfy, will the neighbors/co-workers have an improved view of me if I drive this, does it have the nannies that everyone says are so cool? The important things.
I remember way back when, one of the very few of the pointy-heads in an elite neighborhood had a SAAB, it made funny sounds and I believe it was a three. Sort of like popcorn. Like Joe's buddy from the swimming pool.
So it's going to depend on being in the boost AND being in the right gear at the right time to get this thing to move a Trailblazer? Sorry but that sounds aggravating, especially with how it's going to be tuned from the factory.
I'm curious how much mpg improvement it's really going to see, or if it's mainly to manipulate the EPA test.
I would love to see the drivetrain for this shoved into a Geo Metro.
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