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Considering the cost, the price passed on to the consumer, fuel economy, performance and other considerations, which engine performance path makes the most sense for GM or for you as the buyer?
Keep in mind that the Grand Prix's "venerable" 3.8L is in its last incarnation (tweaked) and on its way out - the 3.9L supercharged engine I expect to replace it will see a big number jump, at least in potential (if the transmission holds it back, it could be lower). Looking at how the numbers of the Newly redesigned 3.5L in the Malibu are almost on top of the 3.8 (both naturally aspirated), that is.
I don't trust GM's figures on the "275 horsepower G6" 3.5, since the Grand Prix failed to deliver the "280/280" promise from the G-Force concept.
I thought the Saab turbocharged engine is a good representation of what we might see in the Saturn ION Redline, etc. in the future. (Even though it will be getting a supercharger)
Aaaanyway, here are the numbers:
Supercharged (Near-Instant power down low):
2004 Grand Prix GTP 3.8 "3800":
Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 18 / 28
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
Turbocharged (Some "turbo lag"):
2004 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan Aero (2.0L I-4)
Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 22 / 30
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
"High Feature":
2004 Acura TL (like most Honda engines, HP numbers deceptively high for people used to low end power):
3.2L V6 Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 20 / 30
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
2004 Cadillac CTS:
3.6L V6, 24 - Valve, 255 @ 6500 Horsepower (torque about the same, I think)
Fuel Economy (cty/hwy): 18 mpg / 26 mpg
2004 Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe):1.8L I4 (You won't see power until extremely high revs)
Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 25 / 30
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
Should GM have a 4 cylinder performance VVT engine design like in the Honda Civic Si? Who is Honda "pleasing" with an engine like this, when "Sport Compact" drivers seem to favor Drag Racing?
Or how about "High Output" engines that get good numbers without the high-rev VVT tricks of "VTEC", like the Ford SVT Focus engine or 180-horsepower Quad 4 engine in the 1990 Beretta GTZ?
Here's another question: If VVT engines are "High Feature" and OHV engines (and Ecotec) are "High Value", then what are Supercharged OHV engines? :woot2:
Keep in mind that the Grand Prix's "venerable" 3.8L is in its last incarnation (tweaked) and on its way out - the 3.9L supercharged engine I expect to replace it will see a big number jump, at least in potential (if the transmission holds it back, it could be lower). Looking at how the numbers of the Newly redesigned 3.5L in the Malibu are almost on top of the 3.8 (both naturally aspirated), that is.
I don't trust GM's figures on the "275 horsepower G6" 3.5, since the Grand Prix failed to deliver the "280/280" promise from the G-Force concept.
I thought the Saab turbocharged engine is a good representation of what we might see in the Saturn ION Redline, etc. in the future. (Even though it will be getting a supercharger)
Aaaanyway, here are the numbers:
Supercharged (Near-Instant power down low):
2004 Grand Prix GTP 3.8 "3800":
Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 18 / 28
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
Turbocharged (Some "turbo lag"):
2004 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan Aero (2.0L I-4)
Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 22 / 30
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
"High Feature":
2004 Acura TL (like most Honda engines, HP numbers deceptively high for people used to low end power):
3.2L V6 Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 20 / 30
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
2004 Cadillac CTS:
3.6L V6, 24 - Valve, 255 @ 6500 Horsepower (torque about the same, I think)
Fuel Economy (cty/hwy): 18 mpg / 26 mpg
2004 Toyota Matrix (Pontiac Vibe):1.8L I4 (You won't see power until extremely high revs)
Horsepower @ RPM [email protected]
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy: 25 / 30
Torque @ RPM [email protected]
Should GM have a 4 cylinder performance VVT engine design like in the Honda Civic Si? Who is Honda "pleasing" with an engine like this, when "Sport Compact" drivers seem to favor Drag Racing?
Or how about "High Output" engines that get good numbers without the high-rev VVT tricks of "VTEC", like the Ford SVT Focus engine or 180-horsepower Quad 4 engine in the 1990 Beretta GTZ?
Here's another question: If VVT engines are "High Feature" and OHV engines (and Ecotec) are "High Value", then what are Supercharged OHV engines? :woot2: