5:52 am, May 15, 2012
VAUXHALL is replacing the core of its petrol and diesel line-up in the next 12 months with three all-new engine families.
Leading the charge will be a new 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with direct injection and Start/Stop technology that will cut CO2 emissions by 13 per cent, compared with its predecessor.
The four-cylinder SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC engine will be available in various outputs and across several car lines, with a maximum torque of 300Nm from 1700rpm, and 198bhp at 4700rpm.
‘The quality, reliability and driveability of our cars is improving at an unprecedented rate,’ said Duncan Aldred, chairman and managing director of Vauxhall Motors. ‘Replacing core engine ranges with high-output, high efficiency units will enhance our cars’ appeal still further and reinforce our commitment to producing first-class products.’
This summer, the new Astra VXR will adopt a tuned version of the same engine, with a bespoke cylinder head and turbocharger, that produces 278bhp, yet produces CO2 missions of just 189g/km.
Production at the Szentgotthardt plant in Hungary will begin in late 2012.
