GM small gasoline engine

The GM Small Gasoline Engine (SGE) is a family of small-displacement three- and four-cylinder gasoline engines ranging from 1.0 L to 1.5 L, developed by Adam Opel AG, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), MG Motor (MG), Shanghai GM (SGM) and the Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC).

The new global family is designed to improve fuel economy, performance, and emissions, reduce noise and vibrations. To achieve this, it features lightweight design and advanced technologies like gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, variable length intake manifold and alternative fuel compatibility. It uses a modular approach with interchangeable components that can be suited to specific application.

The initial engine variants include

• 999 cc (1.0 L; 61.0 cu in) I3 DI DCVCP turbo 77.4 mm (3.05 in) stroke,
• 1,118 cc (1.1 L; 68.2 cu in) I3 PFI 86.6 mm (3.41 in) stroke,
• 1,399 cc (1.4 L; 85.4 cu in) I4 DI DCVCP turbo 81.3 mm (3.20 in) stroke and
• 1,490 cc (1.5 L; 90.9 cu in) I4 PFI 86.6 mm (3.41 in) stroke. All are derived from just two blocks (three and four cylinder) sharing a common 74 mm (2.91 in) bore with 81 mm (3.19 in) bore spacing. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries provides one-stage single-scroll turbocharger.

To reduce NVH (Noise, vibration, and harshness) levels the direct injection fuel rail mounts to the cylinder head and valve cover via bushings that isolate the loud ticking noise that injector pintles make. GM claims that the 1.0-liter turbo is 25 percent (3 dBA) quieter than the Ford Fiesta's 1.0-liter turbo, and the 1.4-liter is up to 50 percent (6 dBA) quieter than the VW/Audi 1.4-liter turbo. Other silencing measures include a bed-plate cylinder block that increases stiffness and a stiffened aluminum front cam cover. Three-cylinder variants get a balance shaft that is integrated with the oil pump and located inside the two-piece aluminum oil pan to prevent radiated noise. The shaft counter-rotates at engine speed. GM claims that the EcoTec triple will idle more smoothly than Ford's three-cylinder, which does not use a shaft.

All turbocharged variants will provide 90 percent of their maximum torque between 1500 and 5000 rpm, with peak power arriving between 5600 and 6000 rpm. The MHI turbochargers are sized to provide quick torque response, and are mounted very close to the cylinders, thanks to cylinder heads that incorporate the exhaust manifolds in the head.

To reduce mass, the engines are compact in all directions, made almost entirely of aluminum, and feature composite intake manifolds. This removes 44 pounds (20 kg) from the existing 1.4-liter turbo in the Cruze and makes it 8 pounds (4 kg) lighter than the 1.4-liter VW turbo. GM says this engine weighs 216 pounds (98 kg), ready for installation.

The engines will debut in the 2014 Opel Adam and will be produced in Szentgotthárd, Hungary and GM's Flint Engine plant. The new engine family will spread to other brands and markets by the end of the decade and will replace three separate engine families (S-TEC, Family 0, and Family 1).

The engine is used in:

• 2014 Opel Adam
• 2014 MG GT
• 2014 Opel Corsa E
• 2014 Roewe 360
• 2015 MG GS
• 2016 Buick Encore Sport Touring
• 2015-16 Chevrolet Cruze
• 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
• 2016 Chevrolet Volt
• 2016 Chevrolet Spark
• 2016 Buick Envision
• 2016 Roewe e950 plug-in hybrid
• 2016 Roewe RX5
• 2017 Roewe i6
• 2017 MG 6
• 2017 Roewe i5
• 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
• 2018 MG HS
• 2018 MG ZS

The assembly lines for North American facilities were manufactured by Hirata Corporation at their powertrain facility in Kumamoto, Japan.