Comments on: Fisker to use GM Ecotec motor to recharge Karma’s batteries

By: Need more oil for GM

Need more oil for GM — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:35:06 +0000

oLDS307 IS CORRECT. oNLY gm BUILDS AN ENGINE THAT IS MADE TO LAST

By: non_biased_enthusiast

non_biased_enthusiast — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:30:25 +0000

260 HP? Do you really think they will have a TURBO on an engine that recharges batteries?

By: JohnnyBlazE

JohnnyBlazE — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:39:52 +0000

lol johnnycanuck, you’re cracking me up today… kudos

By: KarLoveBoy88

KarLoveBoy88 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:30:20 +0000

I agree, the ECOTEC is one of the best 4 cylinders out there. I rented a Cobalt Lt and that thing can run! i hit 120 on a back road. Don’t get me wrong, my Acura’s 2.3 4L is awesome but its loud and thrashy. But i can’t help to think that the Fisker buyers are going to buy a 100,000 turbocharged hybrid Cobalt

By: olds307

olds307 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:23:36 +0000

ECOTEC is the best 4-cylinder made today, possibly ever. Obvious choice.

By: A4

A4 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:58:53 +0000

im glad theyre using this motor, and even more glad they arent using the motor out of a toyota econobox.

By: sxrcamaro

sxrcamaro — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:32:10 +0000

The EcoTec Is a great choice!

By: nowei

nowei — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:24:43 +0000

Not knocking the Ecotec, but I’m thinking this might be mainly a logistics thing.

Fisker just announced that Valmet in Finland would be building the Karma, and since Saab is right next door in Sweden and then there’s Opel to the south in Germany it makes sense that GM would have a bunch of engines kicking around.

It’s also entirely possible that one of the reasons it’s interested in this arrangement is not because it intends to keep full scale production of the engines going but because it already has them and is looking for a way to sell them without build cars.

Just speculating, though, and I don’t think the Ecotec is a bad choice.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:43:49 +0000

GM must think it’s still going to be around to agree to this… Are they expecting that the bailout is going to go through? Or are they overblowing how bad they are doing to try and get a cheap loan?

By: DetroitWatcher

DetroitWatcher — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:15:11 +0000

Saab/Chevy/Saturn all use variations on the Ecotech, though I think that Saab’s has a bit less hp than the one in the Sky Red Line.

Rented a Malibu with an Ecotech recently… it ran very quietly, used little gas, and seemed powerful enough. Probably a good choice for Fisker.

By: andy

andy — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:17:13 +0000

aexcorp: are you sure that engine is used in the Saab’s? i thought they used a different engine from the Redline/ Cobalt SS and others.

By: Lawnchair88

Lawnchair88 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:17:06 +0000

Still not sure why this engine isn’t used in the Lotus lineup.

By: Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3

Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:36:33 +0000

@aexcorp, the Ecotec engine has received high acclaim from engineers around the world; there is no doubt about it being an excellent engine.

By: justagigilo85

justagigilo85 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:17:39 +0000

Hey jack@ss, you missed a thread.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-extends-holiday-shutdown-to-january-20th.html

C’mon what’s your excuse for that one?

Boy am I glad your state had as many electoral votes as you do teeth.

By: aexcorp

aexcorp — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:03:36 +0000

I have an Ecotec engine, can’t really say I’m not pleased with how it performs (love that overboost feature, but only the Saab Aero has it) or its reliability, as it never needed anything but oil changes. They’re also pretty cheap I’m guessing since they’re mass-produced on such a broad scale, being used in like 20 different models (Opel, Saab, Pontiac, Saturn, etc).

By: Borat

Borat — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:53:44 +0000

Die already die! I hate to pay for your salary all while you posting here!

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:50:54 +0000

jayjc08, did you have to toss him such a softball?

By: Need more oil for GM

Need more oil for GM — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:43:18 +0000

“Wonder why their not using a Toyota or Honda engine…”

Because maybe they want one that’s actually reliable??? The eco-tec is the most advanced, most powerful and definitely the most reliable 4-cylinder engine available today. It’s an obvious choice.

By: atoms

atoms — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:43:11 +0000

then again i know very little about electric circuits, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong on my theory

By: Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3

Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:43:08 +0000

I would love to read the contract between the two parties as I am sure therein is an exit cause. This does look good in Washington to show that others have faith in GM, but realistically Fisker will not hang itself should GM not be around as provisions have surely been made for another substitute.

By: atoms

atoms — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:40:10 +0000

im guessing the ecotec is used due to its power output, at 260hp and lb/ft through a generator that is say 80% efficient to recharge the batteries the power levels would be around the equivalent of 208hp and torque but in electric form powering the motor, allowing similar power levels during full electric mode. or cause the engine is cheaper then other 2.0’s out there

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:29:08 +0000

Very interesting.

Wonder why their not using a Toyota or Honda engine…