GM small gasoline engine
The GM Small Gasoline Engine is a family of small-displacement three- and four-cylinder gasoline engines ranging from 1.0 L to 1.5 L, developed by Adam Opel AG, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, MG Motor, Shanghai GM and the Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center.
The new global family is designed to improve fuel economy, performance, and emissions, reduce noise and vibrations. To achieve this, it features lightweight design and advanced technologies like gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, variable length intake manifold and alternative fuel compatibility. It utilizes modular approach with interchangeable components that can be suited to specific application.
The initial engine variants include I3 DI DCVCP turbo stroke, I3 PFI stroke, I4 DI DCVCP turbo stroke and I4 PFI stroke. All are derived from just two blocks sharing a common bore with bore spacing. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries provides one-stage single-scroll turbocharger.
To aid with NVH levels the direct injection fuel rail mounts to the cylinder head and valve cover via bushings that isolate that loud ticking noise the injector pintles make. GM claims that the 1.0-liter turbo is 25 percent quieter than the Ford Fiesta’s 1.0-liter turbo, and the 1.4-liter is up to 50 percent quieter than the VW/Audi 1.4-liter turbo. Other silencing measures include a bed-plate cylinder block that increases stiffness, a stiffened aluminum front cam cover. Three-cylinder variants get a counter-rotating balance shaft that’s integrated with the oil pump and located inside the two-piece aluminum oil pan to prevent radiated noise. GM assure the EcoTec triple will idle more smoothly than Ford’s three-cylinder, which does not use a shaft.
All turbocharged variants will provide 90 percent of their max torque between 1500 and 5000 rpm, with peak power arriving between 5600 and 6000 rpm. The MHI turbos are sized to provide quick torque response, and are mounted very close to the cylinders, thanks to cylinder heads that incorporate the exhaust manifolds in the head.
To reduce mass, the engines are compact in all directions, made almost entirely of aluminum, and feature composite intake manifolds. This removes from the existing 1.4-liter turbo in the Cruze and makes it lighter than the 1.4-liter VW turbo. GM say this engine weighs, ready for installation.
The engines will first debut in the 2014 Opel Adam and will be produced in Szentgotthárd, Hungary and GM's Flint Engine plant. The new engine family will spread to other brands and markets by the end of the decade and will replace three separate engine families.
The engine is used in:
- 2014 Opel Adam
- 2014 MG GT
- 2014 Opel Corsa E
- 2014 Roewe 360
- 2015 MG GS
- 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring
- 2015-16 Chevrolet Cruze
- 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2016 Chevrolet Volt
- 2016 Chevrolet Spark
- 2016 Buick Envision
- 2016 Roewe RX5
- 2017 Roewe i6
- 2017 MG 6
- 2017 Roewe i5
- 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
- 2018 MG HS
- 2018 MG ZS
I4
1.4
LV7
The LV7 is the multi-point fuel injection 1.4L naturally aspirated variant of the SGE engine, with a bore and stroke for a total capacity of. Compression ratio is 10.6:1 and the engine can run on regular unleaded grade gasoline. Assembly is in Changwon, South Korea.Year | Model | Power | Torque | Dyno Chart |
2016- | Chevrolet Spark | @ 6200 rpm | @ 4400 rpm |
LE2
The LE2 is the direct-injection 1.4L turbocharged variant of the SGE engine, with a bore and stroke for a total capacity of. Compression ratio is 10.0:1 and the engine can run on regular grade gasoline. The LE2 is also paired with Start-Stop technology in some vehicles.Year | Model | Power | Torque | Dyno Chart |
2016-2019 | Buick Encore Sport Touring | @ 5600 rpm | @ 2000-4000 rpm | |
2016- | Chevrolet Cruze | @ 5600 rpm | @ 2000-4000 rpm |
1.5
L3A
The L3A is the direct injection 1.5L naturally aspirated variant of the SGE engine used in the second generation Chevrolet Volt, with a bore and stroke for a total capacity of. Compression ratio is 12.5:1 and the engine can run on regular unleaded grade gasoline. Maximum engine speed is 6000 rpm.Year | Model | Power | Torque | Dyno Chart |
2016- | Chevrolet Volt | @ 5600 rpm | @ 4300 rpm |
LFV
The LFV is a direct-injection cast aluminum DOHC 1.5 L turbocharged SGE variant, with a bore and stroke for a total capacity of. Compression ratio is 10.0:1 and the engine can run on regular unleaded grade gasoline. Maximum engine speed is 6500 rpm. Automatic Start-Stop is available with this engine. Assembly is in Shanghai, Changwon, Toluca, Spring Hill and Flint.Year | Model | Power | Torque | Dyno Chart |
2016- | Chevrolet Malibu | @ 5700 rpm | @ 2000-4000 rpm | |
2016- | Buick Envision | @ 5600 rpm | @ 1700-4000 rpm | |
2018- | MG HS | @ 5600 rpm | @ 1700–4400 rpm |
LYX
The LYX is a direct-injection cast aluminum DOHC 1.5 L turbocharged SGE variant, with a bore and stroke for a total capacity of. Compression ratio is 10.0:1 and uses regular unleaded gasoline.Year | Model | Power | Torque | Dyno Chart |
2018- | MG HS | @ 5600 rpm | @ 1700–4400 rpm | |
2018- | Chevrolet Equinox | @ 5600 rpm | @ 2000–4000 rpm | |
2018- | GMC Terrain | @ 5600 rpm | @ 2000–4000 rpm |