Harman Patil (Editor)

GM small gasoline engine

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Also called
  
Microtec

Configuration
  
Straight-3 Straight-4

Production
  
2013 (2013)–present

Cylinder bore
  
74 mm (2.91 in)

GM small gasoline engine

Manufacturer
  
General Motors MG Motor Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Hirata Corporation

Displacement
  
999 cc (61.0 cu in) 1,117 cc (68.2 cu in) 1,399 cc (85.4 cu in) 1,490 cc (90.9 cu in)

The small gasoline engine (SGE) 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 (SAIC), MG Motor (MG), Shanghai GM (SGM) and the Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC).

Contents

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 1.0 L (999 cc) I3 DI DCVCP turbo (77.4 mm stroke), 1.1 L (1118 cc) I3 PFI (86.6 mm stroke), 1.4 L (1399 cc) I4 DI DCVCP turbo (81.3 mm stroke) and 1.5 L (1490 cc) I4 PFI (86.6 mm stroke). All are derived from just two blocks (three and four cylinder) sharing a common 74-mm bore with 81-mm bore spacing. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries provides one-stage single-scroll turbocharger.

To aid with NVH (Noise, vibration, and harshness) 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 (3 dBA) quieter than the Ford Fiesta’s 1.0-liter turbo, and the 1.4-liter is up to 50 percent (6 dBA) 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 (engine-speed) 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 44 pounds (20 kg) from the existing 1.4-liter turbo in the Cruze and makes it 8 pounds (3,6 kg) lighter than the 1.4-liter VW turbo. GM say this engine weighs 216 pounds (98 kg), 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 (S-TEC, Family 0, and Family 1).

The engine will be used in:

  • 2014 Opel Adam
  • 2014 MG GT
  • 2014 Opel Corsa E
  • 2015 MG GS
  • 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring
  • 2015-16 Chevrolet Cruze
  • 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  • 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  • The assembly lines for North American facilities were manufactured by Hirata Corporation at their powertrain facility in Kumamoto, Japan.

    LV7

    The LV7 is the multi-point fuel injection 1.4L naturally aspirated variant of the SGE engine, with a 74mm bore and 81.3mm stroke for a total capacity of 1399cc. Compression ratio is 10.6:1 and the engine can run on regular unleaded grade gasoline. Assembly is in Changwon, South Korea.

    LE2

    The LE2 is the direct injection 1.4L turbocharged variant of the SGE engine, with a 74mm bore and 81.3mm stroke for a total capacity of 1399cc. 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.

    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 74mm bore and 86.6mm stroke for a total capacity of 1490cc. Compression ratio is 12.5:1 and the engine can run on regular unleaded grade gasoline. Maximum engine speed is 6000 RPM.

    LFV

    The LFV is the direct-injection 1.5L turbocharged variant of the SGE engine, with a 74mm bore and 86.6mm stroke for a total capacity of 1490cc. 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 Toluca (Mexico), Springhill (Tennessee) and Flint (Michigan).

    References

    GM small gasoline engine Wikipedia


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