The tiny engines we love

Our love affair with big engine cars is over.

With the development of technologies such as turbocharging and direct-injection over the past decade and some impressive weight-saving, many carmakers have been pursuing the concept of engine-downsizing with a passion.

Here are three that we reckon do it best. SUZUKI SWIFT RS So, Suzuki has released a new version of its popular Swift. The new Swift is on average 135kg lighter than the old one. But here’s something really out of left field, the most expensive, top performance version actually packs the smallest, yet most powerful engine.in the true spirit of downsizing, Suzuki has jammed a fantastic 82kw/160nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine into the $25,990 RS model. It brings a brilliant small-dog-thatthinks-its-a-big-dog growl. SKODA KODIAQ AMBITION The Skoda Kodiaq is a large SUV the same size as a Hyundai Santa Fe, but the entry-level versions are powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. A closer look at the numbers reveals Skoda’s 110kw Kodiaq out-torques the Santa Fe (250Nm versus 241Nm). The $44,990, 1.4-litre Kodiaq Ambition+ 4WD can even tow the same 2000kg on a braked trailer as the Hyundai. BMW 318i A BMW 3-series with a threecylinder engine? That’s right, the new 318i has the 100kw/220nm 1.5-litre turbo-triple from the Mini, but matched to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s an idiosyncratic but still-impressive executive car and it costs (just) less than $60k. More importantly, the 318i is a sweet drive. Less weight up front makes the little BMW an even better steer and while it isn’t rapid, it’s far from slow.