[HoosierRon]

original article in German

Volkswagen matches 1.4 TFSI engine to DSG for the Passat for 37mpg

A 1.4-liter engine in such a large sedan? The downsized yet powerful 1.4 TFSI engine can now be ordered for the Volkswagen Passat with the new 7-speed DSG dual-clutch gearchange (a combination announced in the Seat Bocanegra concept recently as well). With these options, the car manages to get around with 6.4 l/100 km (6.5 in the station wagon version, which comes to about 37 mpg U.S.) and yet still reaches 200 km/h (115 mph).

Will this combination be part of the Epsilon II roll out? Or will be still be offered a 17/26 mpg oversized V-6 with a traditional transmission?

 

[Greg Burr]

I don't know but sure hope so.

Ford mentioned Fusions getting 30 MPG city. I don't if that's for the hybrid or with the Ecoboost with twin turbos and direct injection. I have heard of the dual clutch transmission making it into the Ford fleet starting around 2010-11.

 

[Masospaghetti]

Okay, I don't think GM should be dogged for offering the 3.6HF and 6-speed auto -- after all, everyone on this forum was screaming at them for NOT offering it in the previous gen Malibu. That said, they should offer more fuel efficient options -- be it the 3.5L VVT w/ 6-speed auto, BAS+ with 6-speed, or the upcoming 1.4L turbo.

 

[ByTheLake]

It's easy to see how the elimination of the torque converter and its slippage could result in big improvements in efficiency.

I've never heard that GM has a dual-clutch program going ... can anybody elaborate? Would be great if GM wasn't late for the next big transmission technology again, as it was with 6-speeds.

 

[igotzzoom]

Even with a turbo, I think a 1.4L is a little small for a Malibu. A turbo 1.6L or 1.8 turbo would be a GREAT engine for the 'Bu. Figure between 180-200 hp and high-30s highway MPG. I think you're going to see small-displacement turbo fours popping up like weeds in the backyard in the next few years.

 

[VCDJ]

wow this is impressive. Hopefully everybody will offer something like this. Passat and 37mpg amazing.

 

[Saturn69]

original article in German

Volkswagen matches 1.4 TFSI engine to DSG for the Passat for 37mpg



Will this combination be part of the Epsilon II roll out? Or will be still be offered a 17/26 mpg oversized V-6 with a traditional transmission?

Is that a rhetorical question?

You know GM will just put the 3.6 V6 and 6sp auto in it and call it a day. See that PA Dweller, I'm not making excuses for GM. GM just doesn't get it. Maybe they will, (and this new, 1.4L TC Aveo replacement has my hopes up) but I sincerely doubt they're that forward-thinking.

 

[FierySolstice]

I hope they offer this in the GTI or something similar. I'm done with GM. They don't know how to make small cars. With gas prices rising, they should really try to rollout their compact cars now. I believe they are the only ones with out a redo in such a long time. Its time for a new Cobalt, a G4, and possibly a small Buick. Thank god the new Astra is already in the works. Hope it is up to par with the new Insignia/Aura.

 

[K-1]

Is that a rhetorical question?

You know GM will just put the 3.6 V6 and 6sp auto in it and call it a day. See that PA Dweller, I'm not making excuses for GM. GM just doesn't get it. Maybe they will, (and this new, 1.4L TC Aveo replacement has my hopes up) but I sincerely doubt they're that forward-thinking.

The 2.0L SIDI Ecotec is much more likely for the upper trim. I have a feeling the 3.6L DI will only be for luxury vehicles and crossovers in the coming years. The base engines for economy cars will be the 1.4L DI.

 

[igotzzoom]

The 2.0L SIDI Ecotec is much more likely for the upper trim. I have a feeling the 3.6L DI will only be for luxury vehicles and crossovers in the coming years. The base engines for economy cars will be the 1.4L DI.

I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. Even if the 2.0L DI turbo replaced the 3.6 in the Malibu, I think it'd still be a great car. On paper, it makes more power than the 3.6 MPI engine, and supposedly the LNF is good for 300+ hp, which would put it in the same league as the DI 3.6.

 

[packardlust]

Is that a rhetorical question?

You know GM will just put the 3.6 V6 and 6sp auto in it and call it a day. See that PA Dweller, I'm not making excuses for GM. GM just doesn't get it. Maybe they will, (and this new, 1.4L TC Aveo replacement has my hopes up) but I sincerely doubt they're that forward-thinking.

Your dead wrong, GM does finally get, and they have got it for a while. GM has the 1.4 turbo HCCI coming 2010, the 1.6 turbo coming in 2010, and BAS + w/ 6 speed and Lithium Ion batteries coming in 2010, plug in Vue Hybrid in 2010, and the Volt in 2010. No other manufacturer that I know of has the drivetrains to match this product onslaught. GM has got and in a very big game changing way!

 

[megeebee]

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Will this combination be part of the Epsilon II roll out? Or will be still be offered a 17/26 mpg oversized V-6 with a traditional transmission?

I believe the combination of 4 cylinder with 6 speed automatic begins production this month on the Malibu:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f13/2008-malibu-4-cylinder-ltz-coming-soon-61520/

I can't imagine it is not part of the EP II plans.

 

[GM-10]

original article in German

Volkswagen matches 1.4 TFSI engine to DSG for the Passat for 37mpg



Will this combination be part of the Epsilon II roll out? Or will be still be offered a 17/26 mpg oversized V-6 with a traditional transmission?

What about the four cylinder models they make for the current Epsilon. Obviously these will at the very atleast be improved for Epsilon II.

Who cares if they have a big V-6 so long as they offer fuel efficient fours alongside. Everybody wins in that case.

Do you think Opel Epsilon II's are going to be inefficient? How about Saab's?

I'm not saying anyone should make excuses for GM...but there's no reason to bash without cause...especially when you don't know what powertrains they plan to offer.

Check your negativity against reality.

 

[HoosierRon]

I'm not saying anyone should make excuses for GM...but there's no reason to bash without cause...especially when you don't know what powertrains they plan to offer.

Check your negativity against reality.

Do you think maybe that is why I asked a question?

Negativity: Malibu hybrid gets 24/32.
Reality: VW is offering a Passat that gets 37 mpg.

 

[TJ95GAGT]

Would the 1.4L Turbo if used in a Malibu require premium fuel? With a 30-40cent difference between reg and premium thats a sizable gap in the a fuel bill over the life of a car. I know I would consider it.

 

[Saturn69]

Your dead wrong, GM does finally get, and they have got it for a while. GM has the 1.4 turbo HCCI coming 2010, the 1.6 turbo coming in 2010, and BAS + w/ 6 speed and Lithium Ion batteries coming in 2010, plug in Vue Hybrid in 2010, and the Volt in 2010. No other manufacturer that I know of has the drivetrains to match this product onslaught. GM has got and in a very big game changing way!

....in 2010.

 

[Quickening]

Would the 1.4L Turbo if used in a Malibu require premium fuel? With a 30-40cent difference between reg and premium thats a sizable gap in the a fuel bill over the life of a car. I know I would consider it.

I'm sure it does. I know my Saab turbo requires premium fuel...yesterday filled totally up and it cost me $60. Most I've ever spent. It use to be more around 30

 

[minnfang]

Sounds cool, but...

We need to ask ourselves the following questions before bashing GM (and others):
Will it be available in the US?
If so, what will it cost?
Will it provide a decent driving experience in a mid-sized car?

Just sayin...

 

[K-1]

Would the 1.4L Turbo if used in a Malibu require premium fuel? With a 30-40cent difference between reg and premium thats a sizable gap in the a fuel bill over the life of a car. I know I would consider it.

The fuel gap is in favor of the small turbo. Assuming a 16gal tank and $4/gal regular and $4.20/gal premium:
25mpg = $64.00 fillup w/ regular = $.16/mile
30mpg = $67.20 fillup w/ premium = $.14/mile

@12,000 miles/yr the premium-swilling 30mpg 1.4L engine saves you $240/yr.

 

[TJ95GAGT]

The fuel gap is in favor of the small turbo. Assuming a 16gal tank and $4/gal regular and $4.20/gal premium:
25mpg = $64.00 fillup w/ regular = $.16/mile
30mpg = $67.20 fillup w/ premium = $.14/mile

@12,000 miles/yr the premium-swilling 30mpg 1.4L engine saves you $240/yr.

Well see, I would have considered it and wasted my time. Thanks for that! I'll have to check the gap between premium and regular around here, I think it was more like 40 cents, if not more and diesel was a full dollar more.