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Remember that article of ours highlighting Opel’s return to the forefront of automotive technology that’s been long overdue? Well… welcome to the 21st century Opel! It’s time to welcome Opel’s foray into the high output 3-cylinder engine fray with their new mill, due for reveal next month inGeneva.
The new 3-cylinder motor will be a turbocharged 1-litre unit, with varying outputs, and looks to make its debut in the Opel ADAM – which is possibly set for local debut later this year. The new ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo Petrol engine looks to compete against the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engine, which develops 91kW in the Fiesta. In order to do this, the Opel engine can develop up to 84.6kW in its current highest state of tune. The peak torque available from the 3-potter is 166Nm, generated from 1800-4700 rpm.
In addition, the 12-valve 1.0 ECOTEC is capable of a claimed 3.8l/100km, whilst coughing out a miniscule 99g/km of CO2. Enabling the high efficiency is a combination of direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, lightweight all-aluminium construction, and a switchable water pump. Reducing weight further is a new 6-speed manual gearbox designed specially for the 1.0 ECOTEC which weighs, when dry, a mere 37Kg.
The new 1.0 ECOTEC is the first in an entirely new small-displacement petrol engine family, with several more additions likely to follow in the near future.
The 1.0 ECOTEC and accompanying 6-speed transmission will debut in the European ADAM later this year, and with any luck, we’ll see it locally with the introduction of the ADAM and hopefully in the next generation Corsa.
Opel truly are planning to re-establish the brand as a class-leader, and it all starts here. To see just how Opel are planning on doing this, click HERE.
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Author: Roger Biermann
