In a recent conversation with Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke, Car & Driver asked whether six-cylinder engines, like the turbo-charged unit in the Insignia OPC, have a future at Opel.
While Stracke didn’t give a direct answer, he did say that a turbo-charged four cylinder is capable of making up to 350 horsepower. Yes, you read that right: 350 ponies from a 2.0 liter four.
The German-born mechanical engineer-turned-CEO went on to say that a mule of GM’s 2.0-liter ECOTEC equipped with two-stage turbocharging delivers close to the performance of a naturally-aspirated 5.3-liter V8. The 5.3-liter Vortec V8 in the Chevy Suburban, for instance (RPO LMG), makes up to 326 horsepower and 348 lb.-ft. of torque (on E85 ethanol).
The GM Authority Take
Many seem to believe that Ford and BMW are the only manufacturers utilizing advanced turbocharging to make small yet power-dense engines. This may be true today, but it may not be true in the near future. In other words, GM may not be there yet, but it certainly will be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to decreasing displacement in return for increased efficiency in the fuel economy and power departments.
And while boosted powerplants may only be available in performance sedans today, who says they can’t hold their own in SUVs, trucks, and mainstream vehicles? The only challenge, in our opinion, is making sure these high-pressure engines are as reliable as their naturally-aspirated counterparts — and if it takes GM a bit longer to bring them to market in exchange for increased reliability, we’re all for it.
Comments
great, i just hope that engine finds itself in Australia soon.
gm is always behind on these things I cannot count how many years ford has had there twin turbo 3.5 v6 ecotec in there vehicles,why is this a constant trend
Bad direction and a poor small/power-dense engine strategy in the early 2000s is the reason for them being behind today.
Add to that the bankruptcy… and you’ve got a formula for the opposite of success.
I’m okay with seeing them be behind the curve a bit now only to dominate over the next decade or two.
well better late than never 🙂
I read an article where GM claimed that they had plans to rival Fords Ecotec V6 , I have two questions. My first questions is do think GM is shying away from V6 engines completely and why would GM rather go with a four banger twin turbo power plant instead of a 3.6 twin turbo(LFX)?
Mike, Ford’s engines are called EcoBoost 🙂
And GM does, indeed, have plans to combat Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5 with an offering of their own. At first, we thought it would be a boosted 3.0 LF1, to be labelled LF3. But it seems like the predominant V6 powerplant development going forward is, in fact, a boosted 3.6. And if concepts are any indication, the Caddy Ciel has a boosted 3.6 under the hood.
So, GM will have a range of boosted fours and at least one six (3.0 or 3.6) — maybe even two of the latter.
Rally car version for the US market?
Sorry for my ignorance Alex , besides the XTS do u know what prodution vehicle will be offered with a twin turbo 3.6?
Well, seeing that the engine hasn’t been officially announced yet, we don’t know… Exactly.
But I think we’ll see it across a wide range of vehicles — next-gen Impala, GMT900s, Traverse, most likely the entire Caddy line (in some trim). Exciting times! I can’t wait! 🙂
alex you are right on but some may be vgt single turbos on base models and twin on upper levels don’t forget the camaro…
Very true.
Exciting times indeed !!! I wish I didn’t have to purchase a car this yea….r
Frankly BMW shouldn’t be in that list. They put TWO turbos on a 3.0L inline 6 and the result is 300hp?!? RUBBISH! That’s 2.0 SINGLE turbo 4 cylinder output. Yet, the media and the rest of the zealots hype it as being an accomplishment. I guess you can fool some of the people some of the time, and all the BMW fanatics ALL the time!
But back on track…I highly doubt that the technology exists right now that would make such an engine feasible. It WILL burn a heck of a lot of fuel, as would a 5.3L V8. And it will be pretty peaky for sure and may not be as torque-rich as the V8, either. Lag may also be an issue. In short, that drivetrain is likely to be criticised as being “crude”. I say either offer it in a dedicated niche car, OR make the necessary parts available to customers as a retro-fit option.
If this is ever true, this would be a good idea if they put it on the Impala and fight the SHO even though this engine is about 15 less horsepower. Or maybe if they can put either the 2.4L or the 2.5 L turbo like Ford is doing with the next Focus and Mustang which will punch out more than 300+ horsepower (2.3 Ecoboost).