Opel Continues Powertrain Offensive with New Ecotec Engine

General Motors Co.'s Opel unit has begun making a new 1.4-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine at its plant in Szentgotthard, Hungary. The direct-injection turbocharged unit, which will debut later this year in the Astra sedan, is part of Opel's plans to introduce 17 new engines in 2014-2018.

GM says the 1.4-liter Ecotec's combination of performance and efficiency will allow it to replace 2.0-liter engines in future applications. Two power outputs will be available: 125 hp and 150 hp. Maximum torque is listed at 181 lb-ft.

The new engine with an automatic stop-start system got 48 mpg and emitted 114 g/km of carbon dioxide in the optimistic New European Driving Cycle during preliminary testing.

The powerplant's aluminum block is 22 lbs lighter than the cast-iron unit in Opel's current 1.4-liter engine. Other weight-saving features include a hollow-cast crankshaft and a low-friction oil pump.

To reduce noise and vibration, the new engine integrates the cylinder head into the exhaust manifold, adds a sound-absorbing cam cover, decouples high-pressure injection valves and shortens the timing chain. The oil pan also is divided into two units.

The 1.4-liter Ecotec is part of Opel's small gasoline engine family that includes the recently introduced 1.0-liter three-cylinder mill that bowed in the new Corsa supermini car. With this month's launch of the new 1.4 Ecotec, Opel has now produced more than 8 million engines at its Szentgotthard facility.