General Motors’ European unit Opel is launching three new engine families and 13 new engines between 2012 and 2016, renewing 80% of its engine range.
In the same period the company will also launch several new transmissions.
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Opel is beginning the renewal of its engine line now by introducing new 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, together with new five and six-speed gearboxes. They will be joined by the end of this year by a new small-displacement petrol engine family. All are developed to deliver class-leading performance and refinement.
Focused on meeting a growing customer demand for ‘downsized’ engines offering strong power with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the new petrol and diesel powertrains are being progressively introduced across the Opel product range.
Claimed best-in-class power outputs and refinement define both 1.6-litre engine families, while the further improved gearboxes provide a smooth gear shifting quality which matches the benchmarks amongst Opel’s competitors. A new six-speed gearbox and a new automated manual transmission follow in the near future.
The 1.6 SIDI turbo petrol engine has spark ignition direct injection (the SIDI bit) and comes in two configurations. The Eco Turbo version, delivering 125 kW/170 hp and 280Nm peak torque, is focused on optimised fuel economy, high low-end torque and outstanding elasticity. The performance turbo, packing 147kW/200hp and 300Nm peak torque, boasts an exceptional specific power output of 125 hp per liter which is claimed best in class amongst Opel’s competition.
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By GlobalDataCompared to Opel’s previous 1.6-litre turbo engine, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption have been cut by 13% while peak power and torque are increased by up to 30%. The Eco Turbo’s elasticity is demonstrated by a 20% improvement in fifth gear acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h, while the 200 hp performance turbo adds an even sportier edge to the new engine’s character.
Technical highlights include:
- Class-leading refinement: only engine in its class to feature balance shafts for smooth running. Innovative thin-wall cylinder block with mass-saving, two-piece crankcase and die-cast aluminum bedplate. Host of ‘sound engineering’ measures for low noise and vibration, including fine-tuning for specific vehicle applications.
- Optimum fuel efficiency with minimal emissions: spark plug/fuel injector units centrally located at top of combustion chamber.
- Fast throttle response: dynamic turbocharger boost strategy giving rapid response comparable to twin-scroll design, plus improved packaging. Compressor with low and high-pressure resonators to suppress airborne hiss and pulsation noise.
The new, 1.6-litre turbo diesel delivers claimed class-leading performance across all key engine parameters. It is launched in the Zafira Tourer and will be rolled out to replace the current 1.7-litre and lower powered two-litre diesel engines in a wide range of Opel models, with even more powerful versions to come.
Packing 100 kW/136 hp and strong torque of 320 Nm, Opel’s first all-aluminum diesel boasts an “exceptional” power density of 85hp per litre which is said to be unrivalled in its class. Its low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are already demonstrated by the Zafira Tourer’s claimed best in class figures.
In common with its petrol counterpart, the 1.6 CDTI benefits from a series of ‘sound engineering’ measures in its design and fine-tuning to minimise noise, vibration and harshness. It has recorded the lowest sound ratings in testing with the Zafira Tourer against other vehicles using 1.6-litre turbo diesel engines.
With Opel’s BlueInjection selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system or lean nox trap (LNT) technology enabling compliance with Euro 6 emissions standards, the 1.6 CDTI is said to be as clean as a petrol engine in operation.
Technical highlights include:
- Aluminum cylinder block and bedplate, saving more than 20kg in weight.
- Optimised performance with closed-loop combustion control and multiple fuel injections, up to 10 per cycle, for efficient, clean and quiet running.
- Rapid throttle response with variable geometry, water-cooled turbocharger operating at high peak boost pressure of 1.7 bar.
- Lowest internal engine friction rating, switchable water pump and variable displacement oil pump all contribute to fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
With numerous revisions to internals and the shifter mechanism, Opel’s new five and six-speed gearboxes have been benchmarked against competitor offerings for superior shift quality. They are now being rolled out for ADAM, Corsa, Meriva, Mokka, Astra, Antara, Zafira and Insignia models with engines exceeding 130 Nm of torque.
For small and sub-compact vehicles, with engines rated up to 235 Nm maximum torque, Opel has designed a new six-speed gearbox. It is significantly lighter than similar gearboxes and incorporates many of the modifications from the new generation units.
For the ADAM and Corsa, a new automated manual transmission offering sequential-style gear shifting and start/stop functionality, as well as five-speed automatic operation, is under development.
In the longer term, improvements to Opel’s current generation six-speed automatic transmission will be followed by the debut of a new, eight-speed transmission. The wider gear spread will enable an average improvement in fuel economy of over 3%.
