Those following GM’s announcement of the all-new, 2016 Chevy Cruze may remember that the new compact will deliver GM’s all-new 1.4-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine. At the time, we thought that the Cruze will serve as the launch vehicle for the new boosted Ecotec, but as it turns out, it’s the 2016 Buick Encore in Sport Touring model that got the engine first.
Alas, the 2016 Buick Encore actually offers two turbo-charged 1.4-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engines:
- The new 1.4L Turbo LE2 in the Encore Sport Touring, and
- The old/outgoing 1.4L Turbo LUV in the other (non-Sport Touring) Encore models
New 1.4L Turbo Ecotec LE2 Overview
The new LE2 is part of GM’s new, global family of small, power-dense engines that was “developed to balance performance and efficiency with exceptional refinement”, according to GM. In the Encore, the 1.4T LE2 makes an estimated 153 horsepower (112 kW) at 5600 RPM and 177 pound-feet (240 Nm) of torque at 2000-4000 RPM.
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 153 / 112 @ 5600* |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): | 177 / 240 @ 2000-4000* |
Though fuel economy has yet to be determined, expect it to be higher than the 25 mpg city / 33 mpg highway / 28 mpg combined in the Encore (FWD) with the 1.4T LUV, thanks to technologies like direct injection and engine stop/start:
- Direct injection helps the motor make about 11 percent more horsepower and nearly 20 percent more torque than the Encore’s standard 1.4L I4 LUV engine, making for a greater feeling of power on demand, particularly at low- and mid-range engine speeds.
- Engine stop/Start contributes to reduced fuel consumption in stop-and-go driving by automatically shutting down the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop under certain driving conditions, such as a stoplight. The engine automatically restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake.
General Motors 1.4L Turbo I4 LE2 Engine
New 1.4L Turbo Ecotec LE2 Details
Some notable features of the 1.4L Turbo LE2 engine include:
- Aluminum cylinder block and head that enhance performance and efficiency
- Reduced friction configuration, including low-friction piston rings, a low-friction camshaft drive, and a low-friction oil pump, further enhancing efficiency
- Aluminum bedplate on the engine block enhances strength and refinement
- Variable-flow oil pump enhances efficiency
- Piston-cooling oil jets contribute to optimal performance, efficiency and refinement
- Dual-overhead-cam cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold saves weight to enhance performance and efficiency
- Premium inverted-tooth camshaft drive chain contributes to segment-challenging levels of refinement and low noise
In the 2016 Encore Sport Touring, the 1.4T LE2 is mated to GM’s six-speed Hydra-Matic 6T40 MNH transmission.
New 1.4T LE2 vs. Outgoing 1.4T LUV
All those improvements translate to some pretty healthy gains — 15 horsepower (9 kW) and 29 pound-feet (40 Nm) of torque — compared to the 1.4T LUV, in a package that’s the same displacement and (we expect) more fuel efficient, too.
| Engine: | 1.4T LE2 | 1.4T LUV | +/- LE2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 153 / 112 @ 5600* | 138 / 103 @ 4900** | +15 / +9 |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): | 177 / 240 @ 2000-4000* | 148 / 200 @ 1850** | +29 / +40 |
Expected Future Uses Of The New 1.4T LE2
Going forward, we expect GM to use the 1.4L Turbo LE2 across a wide variety of small vehicles, including the:
- Chevrolet Sonic/Aveo (G2XX)
- Chevrolet Trax (refresh or all-newG2XX-based model)
- Chevrolet Equinox (D2XX)
- GMC Terrain (D2XX)
- Chevrolet Orlando (D2XX)
Notes
- LE2 figures are estimates provided by GM, and can thus vary when the engine undergoes SAE certification
- LUV figures are SAE-certified
Comments
153 horsepower, sport, and touring. Which one of these does not belong with the other two?
Given that it makes more power than every other model in its segment…
Strengthens an already strong package.
The Encore is a far more attractive and competitive of a vehicle than the Trax.
Interesting that they didn’t just completely replace the much, much, much older (and frankly, outdated) LUV 1.4t engine in the Encore. I’m thinking that the 1.5t I4 found in the new 2016 Malibu will makes its way under the hood of the new Equinox and/or Terrain. Hopefully they are able to tune it a bit more to a more respectful 175HP with around 190LB-FT instead of an embarrassing 160HP.
It’s a supply issue. New engine, new production line… it will become the standard engine soon.
I agree that 160HP is nothing to write home about but a bigger improvement in this engine is it’s low and midrange punch.
It will be a better all around motor in most normal everyday useage.
It’ll need more ooomph than that to outrun its ugliness.
… he said about the best-looking vehicle in its segment. Honestly, do you pick the Juke, Mini Countryman, Honda HR-V, or this? Clearly, the Buick. Second bet, Chevy Trax.
Appearance is subjective but I question your eyesight if you think this is the ugliest vehicle in it’s segment.
This is best looking to my eyes by a long shot followed by the HR-V. The Renegade is not in the conversation.
Agreed, Dave. I’ll take the Trax over the HR-V in second, followed by the Honda in third and then the Renegade in fourth… and the Juke, dead last. All appearance-based. I’m sure the GM crossovers handle better than the rest, anyway.
Buick’s Encore was a surprised hit as sales has averaged 5,000 units per month this year as 5,924 Buick Encores were sold in September; the upgrade to the new 1.4L LE2 4-cyl engine that makes 153 horsepower that an improvement of 15 from last year’s engine should make the Buick even more popular. Maybe down the road, Buick will possibly consider adopting the 1.6 liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine as currently available in Europe makes 134 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque planned for the 2017 Chevy Cruze Diesel ( horsepower figures for US spec engine however are expected to be revised).
Makes you wonder whether the new 7-speed DCT developed by General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and will be used by the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze will find it’s way to Buick’s Encore.
Halloween 2019 …. our Encore Sport engine disintegrated all over I26 in SC. Had it towed to Spartanburg Buick-GMC dealer. Car had 32000 miles. Six weeks later still not repaired. Buick service is really bad, at least in this instance. Worst car we’ve ever owned and I’m 80!