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View Full Version : Spied: GM begins testing turbo four-cylinder engine in large cars



mikeyb
04-26-2008, 09:32 AM
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7100/buickparkavenue1eu6.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/174/buickparkavenue2sq7.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/756/buickparkavenue3bv4.jpg
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4061/buickparkavenue4ek7.jpg
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Spies in Sweden snapped photos of a prototype that appears to be a next-generation Buick LaCrosse, but there's more going on here than meets the eye. According to a check of the prototype's license plate information, the car is registered to Saab and was built by Holden. The car is also listed as having a 260 hp engine four-cylinder — the type GM officials have hinted might show up in the Pontiac G8 and other large cars.

GM vice chairman Bob Lutz told Leftlane that such a model was under development at the 2008 New York Auto Show, and these photos appear to be confirmation. According to the car's wrap sheet, it's powered by a 260 horsepower engine and weighs about 300 pounds less than the Pontiac G8 GT.

Lutz indicated that the Holden-derived Chinese market Buick Park Avenue would also be power by the same 260 horsepower 2.0L turbo four found in the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Red Line, Chevrolet HHR SS and Cobalt SS, due to China's graduated taxation system which drastically increase on engines larger than 2.0L.

Despite the engine being in a car that is "seemingly way too big," Lutz says the engine "[feels] just great."

The combination of the smaller displacement engine — which is a third of the size of the Pontiac GT's 6.0L V8 — and lighter curb weight could see the these sedans post fuel economy numbers in the low 30s.
With ever-rising fuel prices and stricter CAFE regulations, it might not be long until we see a four-cylinder powered G8 on our shores.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm...-7192 (http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-four-cylinder-prototype.html#more-7192)

Hughes412
04-28-2008, 03:19 PM
I have to say I kind of saw that coming. Last night we hit an all time high of 3.49 for reg.

nate0123
04-28-2008, 03:24 PM
I can't imagine how silly it will look to open that huge hood and see a tiny little 2 liter engine. I'm sure they'll put some huge plastic cover over it.

Flash5
04-28-2008, 07:16 PM
def be a huge engine cover in there

coolmazda5
04-28-2008, 10:17 PM
(dunno) I'm not sure if 4cyl turbo really translates into fuel economy for large cars, I would like to see those low 30s MPG. Look at the CX-7 for example, I I love the engine: 2.3L, 4cyl turbo engine (244hp), but still has a little problem, it is gas guzzler, no way around.

mikeyb
04-29-2008, 12:00 AM
(dunno) I'm not sure if 4cyl turbo really translates into fuel economy for large cars, I would like to see those low 30s MPG. Look at the CX-7 for example, I I love the engine: 2.3L, 4cyl turbo engine (244hp), but still has a little problem, it is gas guzzler, no way around.

its a CUV with AWD. More drag.

coolmazda5
04-29-2008, 10:15 PM
its a CUV with AWD. More drag.

I was thinking of the FWD model. Check this out (just reference):

CX-7 FWD. Curb weight: 3710 pounds
G8 (6cyl). Curb weight: 3885 pounds

yes, 4cyl, turbo, a smaller engine and turbo, but still needs to haul a lot of weight :D

TinmanMS6
04-30-2008, 12:01 AM
I was thinking of the FWD model. Check this out (just reference):

CX-7 FWD. Curb weight: 3710 pounds
G8 (6cyl). Curb weight: 3885 pounds

yes, 4cyl, turbo, a smaller engine and turbo, but still needs to haul a lot of weight :D

One of the advantages of the turbo 4 is that it'll be hauling around a lot less weight than that.

mikeyb
04-30-2008, 09:57 AM
My parents use to own a late model Saab 9-5 Aero sportwagon with the 2.3T 4cyl w/ an auto and it got between 26 and 30 mpg highway. It weighed in at 3,730 lbs.

Dimitrios
05-02-2008, 10:13 PM
There's nothing like doing 75 mph with a V8 @ ~ 2200 RPM.

Much like everything else GM does, it's short sighted and too little too late.

Hughes412
05-05-2008, 12:57 PM
There's nothing like doing 75 mph with a V8 @ ~ 2200 RPM.

Much like everything else GM does, it's short sighted and too little too late.

I don't know about that. If they can get the same performance out of the tubo4 with better MPG that would help out both Buick and Cadi. But I too don't think that will work. Hell the Sky Redline gets poor MPG's for the turbo so I don't see how it would get better MPG's in a bigger car.