Adam to Be First With New Opel 1.0L 3-Cyl.

VIENNA – Adam Opel’s all-new 1.0L turbocharged Ecotec gasoline 3-cyl. engine, dubbed 1.0 SIDI Turbo (Spark Ignition Direct Injection), will take its public bow at the Frankfurt auto show next month.

The powerplant delivers 115 hp and 122 lb.-ft. (166 Nm) of peak torque all the way from 1,800 to 4,700 rpm, generating more torque throughout its operating range than equally powerful, higher-displacement engines, the auto maker says.

Fuel efficiency is improved 20% compared with Opel’s current 1.6L naturally aspirated 4-cyl.

The Opel Adam small car will be the first with the new engine, which will debut next year accompanied by an all-new 6-speed gearbox.

The 12-valve, 1.0L turbo represents the first in a new, modular family of 3- and 4-cyl. gasoline engines that will range in displacement up to 1.6L.

Direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and a lightweight, high-pressure die-cast aluminium cylinder block are key efficiency enablers in the new powerplant, which will be built at Opel’s Szentgotthard, Hungary, engine plant.

The auto maker expects carbon-dioxide emissions to be significantly lower than 100 g/km with each of the family’s new engines.

“In developing this small engine, we not only set out to minimize fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, we also wanted to demonstrate that three cylinders can be just as refined as four or more,” Matthias Alt, chief engineer-small gasoline engines, says in a prepared statement.

“We tackled at source the balance, noise and vibration issues typical of conventional 3-cyl. engines, and we’re confident customers will be pleasantly surprised by the results,” Alt adds. “This is a very lively and refined 3-cyl. engine which doesn’t compromise on driving fun.”

Refinement is maximized through inclusion of a balance shaft and high-pressure fuel injectors that are structurally isolated from the cylinder head to minimize noise and vibration.

Other noise-reduction measures include acoustically optimized covers for the top and front of the engine, the intake manifold and camshaft housings; crankshaft isolation with iron main bearing inserts; inverted teeth for camshaft drive chain; a low-hiss turbo compressor; and a lower oil pan formed from steel.

Opel says the new 6-speed manual transmission is more compact and about 30% lighter than its current gearbox and will work with engines producing up to 162 lb.-ft. (220 Nm) in peak torque.