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More info on the new Turbo 1.4L

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Old May 19, 2008 | 10:49 AM
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More info on the new Turbo 1.4L

Glad to see it is also direct injection. Looks like they will probably wait for the next generation (2010?) before it goes into the Cobalt.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008...duce.html#more

General Motors Corp. will introduce in 2009 two new engines offering fuel efficiency gains for vehicles marketed in Europe and other regions. Both engines are new variants of GM’s existing engine families used globally.

A 1.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be used in vehicles worldwide starting in 2010. A 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be introduced in the Opel Zafira in 2009.

The 1.4-liter Turbo engine is a new addition to an engine family that ranges from 1.0 to 1.4-liter displacement. The engine will produce an estimated output ranging from 88 kW to 104 kW (120 hp to 140 hp) and torque values of 175 Nm to 200 Nm (129 lb-ft to 148 lb-ft). It will deliver an approximate 8% improvement in fuel consumption (compared to a higher displacement naturally aspirated engine with similar output) and will be Euro 5 compliant.

Injection nozzles are positioned centrally in the combustion chamber for the direct injection (up to 200 bar) to make sure that a homogeneous mixture is produced and also ensure that the design will not become outdated, as it will also be suitable for other future developments such as HCCI.

The two camshafts can be adjusted independently of one another. At medium load, the intake valves are closed late, which is good for low fuel consumption. At low engine speeds and high loads, on the other hand, the engine works with a higher valve overlap to improve the torque curve.

Key features include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, full variable valve timing, thermal management, flow-controlled oil pump, and a reinforced crankshaft and connecting rod.

The engine will be manufactured at the GM Powertrain assembly facility in Aspern, Austria.

The 1.6-liter CNG Turbo is a new variant in the 1.6-liter engine family that includes a naturally aspirated gasoline unit and a CNG unit. The engine will generate an estimated output of 110 kW (150 hp) and an estimated torque of 210 Nm (155 lb-ft).

Key features include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, an intake manifold with a gasoline and CNG fuel rail, and an oil cooler and piston cooling.
Old May 19, 2008 | 10:56 AM
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8%? Can we assume that's 8% over the current base cobalt motor? So instead of 35 mpg highway with a manual in the current model it'd get 37.8.

That's good... class leading... but I'm unsure about using a turbo to do it... I mean it seems you pretty much NEVER hear of a turbocharged vehicle making it past 150k miles without requiring some extra work (Turbo rebuild if not more) that a non turbocharged vehicle wouldn't need.

Also it seems they typically require premium fuel, though I'm sure this might be tuned to not require it... and the torque curve is probably pretty flat.
Old May 19, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Threxx
8%? Can we assume that's 8% over the current base cobalt motor? So instead of 35 mpg highway with a manual in the current model it'd get 37.8.

That's good... class leading... but I'm unsure about using a turbo to do it... I mean it seems you pretty much NEVER hear of a turbocharged vehicle making it past 150k miles without requiring some extra work (Turbo rebuild if not more) that a non turbocharged vehicle wouldn't need.

Also it seems they typically require premium fuel, though I'm sure this might be tuned to not require it... and the torque curve is probably pretty flat.
I'd say it is more like 8% better than the 1.8L that is in the Astra, in Germany the car gets about 6L/100km which is around 38mpg. Add 8% and a Turbo 1.4L Astra should get around 41mph hwy. of course that is if GM gives us the 6 speed auto or at least a Euro spec transmission. The current American gearing really kills that Saturn Astra mileage.

The regular non turbo 1.4L Astra is already rated at 5L/100km which is 47mpg. I don't know why they don't just sell us some Euro spec engines in these smaller cars.
Old May 19, 2008 | 12:51 PM
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Better yet, I just noticed the Astra in Germany comes with a 1.6L Turbo engine and it is rated at 6.2L/100km, according the the calculator I've been using http://www.eforecourt.com/l_100km_mpg_convert.htm That is 37.9mpg, the smaller engine should have no problem toping 40mpg as long as it has the right gearing.
Old May 19, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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Dont they rate gas mileage differently across the pond?
Old May 19, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by slt
Dont they rate gas mileage differently across the pond?
Liters per 100 km instead of MPG, England uses MPG, but it is Imperial gallons so you have to divide by 1.2
Old May 19, 2008 | 05:44 PM
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Estimated curb weight?
Old May 19, 2008 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 93Phoenix
Estimated curb weight?
Of what? the Astra? Astra 4 door = 2921 lbs.

The 1.4L Turbo will be going into many US cars. If gas goes high enough don't be surprised if you see it in the Malibu.
Old May 19, 2008 | 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Z28x
The 1.4L Turbo will be going into many US cars. If gas goes high enough don't be surprised if you see it in the Malibu.
I'd buy a 1.4L Turbo A6 Malibu in a heartbeat.
Old May 20, 2008 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by jg95z28
I'd buy a 1.4L Turbo A6 Malibu in a heartbeat.
17 second quarteR?
Old May 20, 2008 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 93Phoenix
17 second quarteR?
But with 70 lbs of boost, some naaaawws, a visor hat, some stickers, and a type R badge....instant 9's. All with a trunk full of groceries for your little booger eaters.
Old May 20, 2008 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 93Phoenix
17 second quarteR?
For my daily driver? Heck I drive a '02 Tahoe now. :P
Originally Posted by Tokuzumi
But with 70 lbs of boost, some naaaawws, a visor hat, some stickers, and a type R badge....instant 9's. All with a trunk full of groceries for your little booger eaters.
I do happen to have a GT-R badge at home.
Old May 20, 2008 | 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Threxx
Also it seems they typically require premium fuel, though I'm sure this might be tuned to not require it... and the torque curve is probably pretty flat.
It depends on a variety of factors but you don't have to have premium fuel just because it has a turbo. For instance even the now dead VW 1.8T could run on regular, albeit at reduce power from premium. The amount of charge cooling, timing, cylinder pressure.... basically it depends on how you design it.
Old May 20, 2008 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Threxx
That's good... class leading... but I'm unsure about using a turbo to do it... I mean it seems you pretty much NEVER hear of a turbocharged vehicle making it past 150k miles without requiring some extra work (Turbo rebuild if not more) that a non turbocharged vehicle wouldn't need.
Second, all the cars I see at work coming in that have turbos on them, VW, Volvos, Saabs, etc always have a seal on the turbo leaking.
Old May 20, 2008 | 07:12 PM
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To be uber reliable, a turbo motor should come with a timer that runs the cooling fan and an electric oil circulation pump for a couple of minutes after shut down.
As well as using a synthetic or semi-synthetic oil to fight heat breakdown.
And not dragging out the time between oil changes.
Also maintaining the correct coolant at the correct level.
With a little more attention to cooling and lubrication, they'll last as long as any other motors.



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