4 cylinders V8 power???

[TFord]

In Europe, where fuel prices are often more than double or triple what they are here in the U.S., customers typically favor compact, fuel efficient engines. While many Americans may scoff at the idea of driving a reasonably sized car with an engine not much bigger than that found on a motorbike, it is the norm in many European countries.

This negative perception many Americans have towards smaller engines may soon change. As fuel prices increase, U.S. customers may have no choice but to accept downsizing to smaller engines. Vehicle sales numbers are already starting to show increased demand for four-cylinder engines over V6 and V8 powerplants, and this trend is only set to continue.

Thankfully, increased use of turbocharging and direct injection technologies means small doesn’t have to equate to weak anymore. One of the leaders in this field is Fiat. Through its Fiat Powertrain Technologies division, the Italian giant has created a new range of four-cylinder engines with performance numbers similar to that of a V6. More in the jump!

Take the new 1.75L unit from the upcoming Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA. The compact unit features direct injection, continuous variable valve timing, turbocharging and a revolutionary ECU management system. The result is an engine with performance comparable to that of a 3.0L engine while consumption is maintained at moderate levels appropriate to a unit displacing only 1.75L. Peak output stands at 240hp (179kW).

Other areas where performance has been squeezed include management of airflow from the inlet manifold to the exhaust manifold to activate the turbocharger as quickly as possible, redesigning the inlet ducts to minimize turbulence, and reducing engine friction to further enhance efficiency.

Peugeot, too, has shown off an own advanced engine system. At next week’s Geneva Motor Show the company will display its MCE-5 technology. Displacing just 1.5L, Peugeot’s MCE-5 petrol engine prototype develops a healthy 220hp (164kW) and V8-like 309lb-ft (420Nm) of torque. These results are achieved with a fuel economy of 35mpg (6.7L/100km) and CO2 emissions of just 158g/km.

It doesn’t end there as Peugeot is planning to add direct injection technology to its MCE-5 engine and optimize the combustion chambers. With the addition of these features, Peugeot claims its 1.5L engine will be able to deliver up to 270hp (201kW) and 340lb-ft (460Nm) of torque, while delivering fuel economy of 39mpg (6.0L/100km).

Unfortunately, development is still in the early stages and the first production applications aren’t expected until the 2012/13 model years. Mercedes Benz is working on a similar concept, called the DiesOtto, and plans to offer the powertrain early next decade as well.

-Motor Authority

[headpunter]

as the jezza would say..."thats alot of torques"

[Mr. Wyndham]

As long as you don't have to wind it up to eleventy-billion rpms to actually USE the power....sure! Why not?

Heck, GM's already on their way with the LNF. 260/260 and 30mpg? It only improves from there.

[PQ]

So maybe GM should revisit the 4cyl. Idea we heard about for the Camaro, and ship them to Europe.

[Thwick]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

As long as you don't have to wind it up to eleventy-billion rpms to actually USE the power....sure! Why not?

Heck, GM's already on their way with the LNF. 260/260 and 30mpg? It only improves from there.

Not only that, people are seeing close to 300hp just by taking the restriction off of the turbo since its the ECU that limits it to 260.

The stage kit for the LNF in the solstice/sky puts it at 290 Hp @5200 rpm and 340 ft-lbs @3600. 290/340 under warranty means theres plenty of room to go from there.

[diddiyo]

what about this?

http://jalopnik.com/tag/twin-vr6-awd...po/?id=5156754

A couple of insane Croatians built a twin-VR6 powered, quasi-W12 AWD Volkswagen Lupo for what we can only guess is meant for a version of Rendezvous shot in the streets of Zagreb.

This nasty beast rivals the greatness of the Z06-sourced LS7 powered Chevy Matiz we showed you earlier in the year, but the noises coming out of this once-economical ride sound like they're from another planet.

crazy

[Grape Ape]

The article probably should also have mentioned that most (all?) of the European countries levy a displacement based registration surcharge that can get into real money on a V8 or even a big 6.

[Georgie]

once you mash the throttle on those high revving turbo 4s watch the fuel economy tank

[Thwick]

Originally Posted by Georgie

once you mash the throttle on those high revving turbo 4s watch the fuel economy tank

Nothing gets good fuel economy when you mash the throttle though, and when you wanna just putter around town or go to work and back, just stay off the throttle and you're golden. For me, its the best of both worlds, power when you want it, and fuel economy when you want it.

[Tactical Z]

Originally Posted by irpq11

So maybe GM should revisit the 4cyl. Idea we heard about for the Camaro, and ship them to Europe.

Wait I ment......


Win

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by Georgie

once you mash the throttle on those high revving turbo 4s watch the fuel economy tank

I still get 22ish when I drive like a complete jackass.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

As long as you don't have to wind it up to eleventy-billion rpms to actually USE the power....sure! Why not?

Heck, GM's already on their way with the LNF. 260/260 and 30mpg? It only improves from there.

as ive said before, its nice to rev. its nicer to move.