No doubt to reflect the changing times and public demand for smaller cars, General Motors is set to debut a new compact car later on this year, which would go on sale early in 2009. The car, to be built at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio plant, will use the same Delta platform that underpins the Saturn/Vauxhall/Opel Astra, Chevrolet HHR and Cobalt, and Pontiac G5. The powerplant would be an advanced, small displacement world engine recently unveiled in Europe.
Displacing just 1.4 liters, the inline four-cylinder engine will sport a turbocharger to post fuel efficiency numbers as high as 40mpg, according to sources quoted in an Automotive News report. The engine will feature direct gasoline injection, and make between 120 and 140 horsepower. Apart from Chevrolet , four other brands under the GM umbrella will use the powerplant, including Pontiac, Saturn, Opel and Daewoo.
According to Autocar reports, the engine will make the power of one displacing 1.8 liters, while burning 10 percent less fuel. The same reports saw the engine used in bigger, mid-size vehicles, such as the European Opel Insignia (Saturn Aura equivalent) and Zafira minivan. All this technology, including variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts, means the engine is extremely flexible, offering its torque peak at just 1,850rpm. Eventually, we could see an HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) version of the motor, which would theoretically see more fuel efficiency gains by switching between diesel-like compression ignition and spark ignition combustion modes.
The new car will not replace the Cobalt, at least not in the immediate future, as sources say the Cobalt will be made at least until June 2010 alongside the new car. The plant will get a retooling, with production capacity growing to 2,100 cars daily, up from about 1,500. If the cars are built at the plant for export, it could mean the death of the Cobalt/G5/Pursuit triplets.
Separately, GM is mulling over bringing its Beat minicar Stateside.
