Vauxhall’s new 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine is set to debut in the ADAM at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

ADAM is the first car in the Vauxhall range to receive the new, all-aluminium 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo petrol engine that has been developed at Vauxhall/Opel’s International Technical Development Centre.

The unit will come in two power outputs, giving 90PS and 115PS. Both deliver low-end torque of 166Nm from 1,800 rpm. The latest 1.0 ECOTEC follows on from two other new generation 1.6-litre mid-size units Vauxhall has launched recently, the 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo petrol and the 1.6 CDTi ‘Whisper Diesel’.

With Start/Stop functionality as standard, the 90PS version gives the ADAM a combined cycle fuel consumption of 62mpg, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, according to preliminary data. Efficiency enablers include direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, all-aluminium construction and a switchable water pump.

The first in a completely new family of small displacement petrol engines, the 12-valve 1.0 ECOTEC is the next step in Vauxhall’s powertrain offensive following the recent introduction of new 1.6-litre mid-size petrol and diesel engine families.

“We not only set out to minimise fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, we also wanted to demonstrate that three cylinders can be just as refined as four or more,” says Dr. Matthias Alt, Vauxhall/Opel’s Chief Engineer, Small Gasoline Engines. “We tackled at source the balance, noise and vibration issues typical of conventional three-cylinder engines, and we’re confident ADAM customers will be enthusiastic about the results.”

The cylinder block, made from die-cast aluminium, is designed to reduce radiated and structure-borne engine noise, as well as reduce weight. The high-pressure fuel rail and injectors are also structurally isolated from the cylinder head to minimise the transmission of pulsing, while both the fuel pump and fuel line are acoustically treated.

A further development is the installation of a balance shaft in the oil sump. Driven by a chain with inverted teeth for quiet running, it counter-rotates at crankshaft speed and is  mass-optimised to offset the inherent vibrations of a three cylinder operation.

Other noise attenuation measures include: acoustically-optimised 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 chains; a low-hiss turbo charger, and a lower oil pan in steel.

Vauxhall claims the new 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is quieter than many four-cylinder units. For example, in bench testing at full throttle, it emits lower noise levels across all engine speeds than similarly powerful petrol naturally-aspirated engines of 1.6-litre displacement.

In the ADAM, the 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo produces 166Nm from 1,800 rpm. That’s almost 30 per cent more pulling power than the naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre generates at the same rpm. The 115PS version extends the torque plateau to up to 4,700 rpm. The exhaust manifold is housed in the aluminium cylinder head, to which the tiny, low-inertia, water-cooled turbocharger is directly bolted. This installation method contributes to the delivery of a faster boost charge, say Vauxhall engineers.

The six-vent fuel injectors in the direct injection system are centrally located above each piston to provide more efficient combustion, and dual cam-phasing enables variable valve timing for improved engine breathing. A twin displacement oil pump and a switchable water pump, which is disengaged when the engine coolant is cold in order to accelerate warm-up, also help lower fuel consumption.

The engine is mated to a new generation six-speed manual transmission. With a more compact design and a dry weight of 37kg, it is about 30 per cent lighter than units it replaces.

For improved shift quality and precision, the new transmission incorporates the use of gears with wide, asymmetrically-cut dog teeth and triple-cone synchronisers for first/second gear, with double cones for third/fourth. Reverse gear is also synchronised. In addition to ADAM, this new gearbox will be rolled out into in other Vauxhall models.

The new 1.0-litre engine will go on sale on ADAM in the spring.

Source: Vauxhall

Tags: 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo, 1.6 CDTi Whisper Diesel, 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo, ADAM, Dr. Matthias Alt, engine design, Opel, Vauxhall