U.S. automakers are not the same bunch as they were 10 years ago. Lightweight materials, fuel efficiency and downsized powertrains are what’s in. The “no replacement for displacement” school of thought is, basically, out. GM will plop a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, after all.
The ethos of creating more efficient cars has given way to an unexpected byproduct, however: more horsepower. Bloomberg reported on Monday that the average horsepower for an automaker’s fleet will soon cross the 300 hp mark. That figure seemed unimaginable a decade ago—the average car boasts more power than some of the world’s best in the 20th century.
Since 2008, fuel efficiency has climbed by 24 percent, but vehicle also gained a 14 percent increase in power, too. Part of the equation has been the introduction of so many turbocharged and supercharged engines to make up for the lack of grunt in a V6 or V8 engine.
At GM, the turbocharged four-cylinder has absolutely replaced the staple V6 engine. On the sedan front, only GM’s large sedans offer a traditional V6 engine: the Chevrolet Impala and Buick LaCrosse. The Cadillac CTS also still houses six cylinders in a V formation. Each of the listed cars also comes with a four-cylinder engine, too. Even GM’s crossover lineup focuses more so on four-cylinder engines.
How significant are powerful, smaller engines these days? Only 16 percent of new U.S. vehicles offer a V8 engine for 2018. We doubt the small-block V8 is on its last leg, but the days of mainstream V8 powerplants seems long gone. At least until electric motors augment them en masse.
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By comparison how much weight have vehicles gained? It’s not until recently that a very active approach to reducing weight has been implemented
Hybrids add some weight but augment smaller gas engines and increase efficiency (MPG) without the need of a turbo or supercharger. An electric motor can add over 120 HP on demand, and last much longer (due to lesser moving parts) than any gasoline engine. Soon, a full electric vehicle (such as the Tesla Model S) can overpower even the largest V8 engines in HP and torque and get infinite MPG!
What Chevy model is in the photo above?
Is this a rendering?
2019 Malibu. It has a slight refresh.
I like the new front end.
Gives a more meaningful appearance. Almost like a semi crossover.
This is the first time I’ve seen a new passenger car trade off some aerodynamics for better looks.
I know they have had to deal with always improving MPG’s, which has greatly limited design options for most sedans.
Maybe changes with EPA targets could revive car sales?
thanks!
Cobalt SS launched with a Supercharger but was later replaced with a turbo…Z06 launched with a Supercharger and the Zora will have turbos…Turbos are currently king right now as the industry struggles with how to make EV motors “machos” and perhaps the E-Ray which help…
The cheap easy way out was just build it bigger for more power.
But in making things efficient they have had to go to new and better technologies or develop new.
With direct injection it not only is cleaner and more efficient but makes more power with cooler fuel in the cylinder to cut detonation on higher boost or compressions.
Higher compression are just better burns so cleaner. By products are more power.
Years ago compressions of 18 to one or boost over 20 psi were I possible but today the are being seen and will be very common.
The added compression and boost along with variable timing is making every action of the engine more precise.
Add this to advanced head design and piston design then you get even more efficientcy as well as more output from less.
The laws and regulations have driven this as companies have had to invest billions into new and better technologies in the name of emissions. While it has driven up cost the side benefit is more power.
Now the better computer tech technologies have also helped but again at a price.
As for electrics they will be limited till we can find a way to charge them in the same amount of time as it takes to fill 20 gallons of fuel. They will get there but when is the only question.
Following the trend, Gm can add a turbo to the 2.4 and/or the 2.5 four cylinder engine.
This is what GM decided to do about a decade ago and most people complained at the idea the v6 engine was being replaced in cars like the Malibu.
It was the best decision GM ever made with it’s small cars, make the transformation from v6 engines to 4 bangers that provide plenty of power.
I have a Malibu with a 4 banger and it runs just fine!