!NEW! Opel Begins Extensive Powertrain Renewal

Three new engine families, 13 new engines by 2016

Engine portfolio 80 percent new by 2016

New 1.6-liter gasoline and diesel turbo engines deliver class-leading performance

Downsizing for more power, reduced fuel consumption and lower CO₂

Extensive ‘sound engineering’ measures give class-leading refinement

Revised manual gearboxes offer superior shift quality 

CDTI Engine Development in Torino                 

Opel is launching three new engine families and 13 new engines between 2012 and 2016, renewing 80 percent of its engine portfolio. In the same period the company will also launch a host of new transmissions. Opel is beginning the renewal of its powertrain portfolio now, by introducing all-new 1.6 liter gasoline and diesel engines, together with next generation five and six-speed gearboxes. They will be joined by the end of this year by a new small displacement gasoline engine family. All are developed to deliver class leading performance and refinement.

Focused on meeting a growing customer demand for ‘downsized’ engines offering strong power with reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, the new gasoline and diesel powertrains are being progressively introduced across the Opel product range.

Best-in-class power densities and levels of refinement define both 1.6 liter engine families, while the further improved gearboxes provide a smooth gear shifting quality which matches the benchmarks amongst Opel’s competitors. An all-new six speed gearbox and a new automated manual transmission follow in the near future.

Class leading: All-new  gasoline engine

Featuring Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI), this all-new, four cylinder gasoline engine comes in two configurations. 

New Opel ECOTEC 1.6 SIDI 125 kW (Eco Turbo) engine in Opel Cascada

The Eco Turbo version, delivering 125 kW/170 hp and 280 Nm peak torque, is focused on optimized fuel economy, high low-end torque and outstanding elasticity. 

The Performance Turbo, packing 147 kW/200 hp and 300 Nm peak torque, boasts an exceptional specific power output of 125 hp per liter which is best in class amongst Opel’s competition.

Compared to Opel’s previous 1.6 liter turbo engine, CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption have been cut by 13 percent, while peak power and torque are increased by up to 30 percent. The Eco Turbo’s superb elasticity is demonstrated by a 20 percent improvement in fifth gear acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h, while the 200 hp Performance Turbo adds an even sportier edge to the new engine’s character.

Technical highlights include:

• Class leading refinement: only engine in its class to feature balance shafts for smooth running. Innovative thin wall cylinder block with mass saving, two piece crankcase and diecast aluminum bedplate. Host of ‘sound engineering’ measures for low noise and vibration, including fine tuning for specific vehicle applications.
• Optimum fuel efficiency with minimal emissions: spark plug/fuel injector units centrally located at top of combustion chamber.
• Fast throttle response: dynamic turbocharger boost strategy giving rapid response comparable to twin-scroll design, plus improved packaging. Compressor with low and high-pressure resonators to suppress airborne hiss and pulsation noise.

Class leading: All-new 1.6 CDTI diesel engine

Opel’s all-new, 1.6 liter turbo diesel delivers class leading performance across all key engine parameters. It is launched in the Zafira Tourer and will be rolled out to replace the current 1.7 liter and lower powered 2.0 liter diesel engines in a wide range of Opel models, with even more powerful versions to come.

New Opel 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC Euro 6 engine in Opel Zafira Tourer MPV

Packing 100 kW/136 hp and strong torque of 320 Nm, Opel’s first all aluminum diesel engine boasts an exceptional power density of 85 hp per liter which is unrivalled in its class. Its low fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are already demonstrated by the Zafira Tourer’s best-in-class figures.

In common with its gasoline counterpart, the 1.6 CDTI benefits from a series of ‘sound engineering’ measures in its design and fine tuning to minimize noise, vibration and harshness. It has recorded the lowest sound ratings in testing with the Zafira Tourer against other vehicles using 1.6 liter Turbo Diesel engines.

With Opel’s BlueInjection Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system or Lean Nox Trap (LNT) technology enabling compliance with Euro 6 emissions standards, the 1.6 CDTI is as clean as a gasoline engine in operation.

Technical highlights include:

• Aluminum cylinder block and bedplate, saving more than 20 kilograms in weight.
• Optimized performance with closed-loop combustion control and multiple fuel injections, up to 10 per cycle, for efficient, clean and quiet running.
• Rapid throttle response with variable geometry, water cooled turbocharger operating at high peak boost pressure of 1.7 bar.
• Lowest internal engine friction rating, switchable water pump and variable displacement oil pump all contribute to fuel economy and reduced CO₂ emissions.   

Enhanced manual and automatic transmissions portfolio
With numerous revisions to internals and the shifter mechanism, Opel’s next generation five and six-speed gearboxes have been benchmarked against competitor offerings for superior shift quality. They are now being rolled out for ADAM, Corsa, Meriva, Mokka, Astra, Antara, Zafira and Insignia models with engines exceeding 130 Nm of torque.

New medium torque 6-speed manual transmission (MT6)

For small and sub-compact vehicles, with engines rated up to 235 Nm maximum torque, Opel has designed an all-new six-speed gearbox. It is significantly lighter than similar gearboxes and incorporates many of the modifications from the next generation units.

 Manual Transmission Automated (MTA)

For the ADAM and Corsa, a new automated manual transmission offering sequential style gear shifting and start/stop functionality, as well as five-speed automatic operation, is under development.

In the longer term, improvements to Opel’s current generation six-speed automatic transmission will be followed by the debut of an all-new, eight-speed transmission. The wider gear spread will enable an average improvement in fuel economy of more than three percent.