GM Unveils a New Generation of Ecotec Small Engines

General Motors has revealed its new family of Ecotec small engines, which will range in size from 1.0L to 1.5L. GM says that the new engines will power many of its small cars and compact crossovers, including the all-new 2015 Chevy Cruze.

GM Ecotec Engine Family

General Motors has revealed its new family of Ecotec small engines, which will range in size from 1.0L to 1.5L. GM says that the new engines will power many of its small cars and compact crossovers, including the all-new 2015 Chevy Cruze.
The new Ecotec engines are a clean sheet design and use the latest technologies like central direct fuel injection, continuously variable valve timing, turbocharging and variable intake manifold airflow help achieve efficiency goals with broad power bands. The engines will generate anywhere from 75 horsepower in the three cylinder engines up to 165 horsepower in the top turbocharged four-cylinder.

“The new Ecotec architecture represents the most advanced and efficient family of small-car gas engines in GM’s history,” said Tom Sutter, global chief engineer. “Along with performance and efficiency targets, we’ve also aimed for segment-leading refinement with low noise and vibration – and we’ve hit the bulls-eye.”

GM has created four three-cylinder versions of the new Ecotec engine family, while there ar esix different four-cylinder engines. A hybrid is also expected, but GM did not provide any details about it.

The first production applications include a 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder for the Opel Adam in Europe, and 1.4L turbocharged and 1.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines for the 2015 next-generation Chevrolet Cruze in China. The 1.4L turbocharged engine in the 2015 Cruze will generate 148 horsepower and 173 lb-ft. of torque in China, while the 1.5L is rated at 113 horsepower and 108 lb-ft. of torque.

GM hasn’t announced when the new engine family will debut in the U.S.

Source: General Motors