Starting with a clean sheet of paper, Opel and GM global engineering teams leveraged their combined expertise to eliminate the harsh, ‘off-beat’ running characteristics, which have traditionally been a downside to the economical driving appeal of three-cylinder engines. As a result, the 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo boasts a four cylinder-like ‘soundtrack’, which clearly positions it as the new benchmark for refinement among three-cylinder engines.
The engine’s all-aluminum architecture was acoustically designed to reduce both airborne and structure-borne operating noise, as well as to save weight. Its inherent refinement is so good, the need to mask the transfer of engine noise with in-car sound insulation, or complex engine and sub-frame mountings, is significantly reduced. The persistent reduction of unwelcome engine sounds also gives engineers greater freedom in fine-tuning the sound of induction and exhaust systems to meet the requirements of specific vehicle applications.
As a result of this intense focus on refinement, the 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo not only runs more smoothly than similar three-cylinder engines, but also more quietly than many four-cylinder units. For example, during development in laboratory bench testing at full throttle, it emitted lower sounds levels across all engine speeds than gasoline turbos up to 1.6 liters in displacement.
Direct fuel injection delivers more power and greater fuel economy
The 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo packs a punch, generating 30 percent more torque than Opel’s current 1.6-liter, naturally-aspirated engine, as well as the same 85 kW/115 hp maximum power output. Peak torque of 166 Nm is available across a wide plateau from 1,800 rpm to 4,700 rpm, while maximum power is delivered at just 5,200 rpm. This is an engine that is small in size but big in performance.
The 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is also extremely frugal, delivering a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the 1.6-liter engine. In the Opel ADAM, it will give CO2 emissions of well under 100 g/km, as well as combined cycle fuel consumption approaching 4.0 l/100 km.
Key to both power and frugality is a high-pressure, direct fuel injection system, which helps extract as much energy from the fuel as possible. The six-hole, ECOTEC Direct Injection operating at a maximum pressure of 200 bar, are ideally positioned over the center of the combustion chamber and deliver a fine, homogenous spray without wasteful wetting of the inlet valves or port walls. The fuel flow rate at the injectors supports the metering of small, multiple injections.