New super engine: 2-liter, four-cylinder
Expert refers to it as ‘transforming’
Some of the most exciting, technically intriguing engines today aren’t throbbing V-8s, trendy electric-gasoline hybrids or post-modernist hip European diesels.
The new class of super engine is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Engines that size long were dismissed in the U.S. as weaklings for economy cars. Americans weren’t inclined to take seriously an engine with a total cylinder displacement the same size as a 99-cent bottle of Coke.
But today, 2-liter four-cylinders propel powerful sport sedans, elegant roadsters and roomy crossover SUVS.
“This is a huge transformation in the industry,” says Tom Murphy, executive editor of Ward’s Autoworld, home of the influential 10 Best Engines list.
After building mediocre four-cylinder engines for years, General Motors and Ford are at the forefront of the trend, offering high-powered small engines with the likes of Audi, BMW and Volkswagen. Japanese makers have been slow to join in, but South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia are firmly on board.
North American use of four-cylinder engines will grow 74% from 6.9 million to 12.2 million in the next 10 years, according to IHS Automotive, which predicts V-6 and V-8 use will fall 17% to about 6 million in the same period.
The new four-cylinder engines produce as much power as a V-6 or even a V-8, but use less fuel and emit fewer pollutants. They do it with turbocharging, high-pressure injection of fuel directly into the cylinders, electronic controls and new transmissions.
“Americans are willing to accept smaller engines as long as there’s power,” IHS analyst Aaron Bragman says. “This is where the industry is headed.”
An example: The impressive 2-liter direct-injection turbo in GM’S Buick Regal GS. It puts out 270 horsepower, while achieving an EPA highway rating of 27 miles per gallon. The next generation of the engine will be in Cadillac’s new ATS sport sedan this summer.
“The power is off the chart. GM has polished that engine to a fine sheen,” Murphy says. Three of Wards’ 2012 10 Best Engines are direct-injection 2.0liter turbos from BMW, Ford and GM. A fourth, from Mazda, has 2.0 liters and direct injection sans turbo.
“Certain brands have decided they don’t even need to offer a V-6 in their midsize sedans,” Murphy says. “The new four-cylinder engines can power the vast majority of passenger cars and crossovers. This is the next generation of muscle cars.”
There are limits. The early consensus is that Ford’s 2-liter works well for the 3,998-pound Edge crossover but struggles in the 4,500-pound Explorer.
While 2 liters is the sweet spot now, even smaller engines are coming. Ford will offer a 170-horsepower-plus 1.6liter direct-injection turbo engine in the coming 2013 Escape crossover and Fusion midsize sedan. Ford reserves its 237-horsepower 2-liter engine for performance models of those vehicles.
Chrysler will offer a 160-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter in the 2013 Dodge Dart compact sedan.
“Automakers are pushing displacement down and power up,” says Bill Visnic of Edmunds.com.
BMW crash probe stepped up
Safety regulators have found 16 crashes and five injuries in an eightmonth investigation of transmission control problems in BMW’S 7 Series cars, the Associated Press reports.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has upgraded its look at about 122,000 model 2002 to 2008 BMW 7’s to an “engineering analysis,” a step closer to a recall.
The cars have push-button start and electronic transmission controls. In some cases, the owners may think the cars are in park when they’re in neutral. NHTSA said in documents on its website Monday that the cars can roll away unexpectedly and crash. Messages seeking BMW comment weren’t immediately returned, the AP said. Join our forum to discuss, celebrate and debate the vehicles that we drive at driveon.usatoday.com