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New Models
AUTOS: Four-Cylinder Engines Gaining
Recent market data show that more than half the vehicles sold this year were powered by fours as concerns grow over fuel mileage and emissions.
Ford has dropped the V6 and hybrid options for its 2013 Escape crossover in favor of turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engines. (Photo: Ford)
For as long as we care to remember, U.S. roads have hummed to the tune of the V6 and V8. Low-stressed and powerful, we’ve used V-engines in everything from pickup trucks and hot rods to family sedans and crossover SUVS.
But times are changing.
According to JD Power Associates, more than half of the new cars and trucks sold between January and May this year were powered by four-cylinder engines. That’s the highest market share the consulting firm has seen for the humble four since it started tracking engine sales percentage in 1998.
With the drive toward ever-tougher emissions and fuel-mileage requirements, it isn’t difficult to see why automakers are replacing V8 and V6 engines with smaller, more efficient four-cylinders.
In order for cars fitted with smaller engines to sell however, they have to offer good performance along with good gas mileage.
“You can take away my V8, but don’t take away my acceleration,” said IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland. “We’re willing to embrace a technology that doesn’t make us compromise performance.”
Thanks to such technology as turbochargers, computer-controlled direct-injection and lightweight engine components, new four-cylinder engines are able to provide V6 performance while retaining good gas mileage.
More importantly, modern turbocharged four-cylinder engines are achieving gas mileages that rival some hybrid cars, but at a much lower sticker price.
In fact, such modern four-cylinder engines as the 1.6-liter and 2-liter EcoBoost engines offered in the 2013 Ford Escape crossover SUV are so powerful and efficient that Ford isn’t even offering a V6 or hybrid option.
This story originally appeared at Green Car Reports.
But times are changing.
According to JD Power Associates, more than half of the new cars and trucks sold between January and May this year were powered by four-cylinder engines. That’s the highest market share the consulting firm has seen for the humble four since it started tracking engine sales percentage in 1998.
With the drive toward ever-tougher emissions and fuel-mileage requirements, it isn’t difficult to see why automakers are replacing V8 and V6 engines with smaller, more efficient four-cylinders.
In order for cars fitted with smaller engines to sell however, they have to offer good performance along with good gas mileage.
“You can take away my V8, but don’t take away my acceleration,” said IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland. “We’re willing to embrace a technology that doesn’t make us compromise performance.”
Thanks to such technology as turbochargers, computer-controlled direct-injection and lightweight engine components, new four-cylinder engines are able to provide V6 performance while retaining good gas mileage.
More importantly, modern turbocharged four-cylinder engines are achieving gas mileages that rival some hybrid cars, but at a much lower sticker price.
In fact, such modern four-cylinder engines as the 1.6-liter and 2-liter EcoBoost engines offered in the 2013 Ford Escape crossover SUV are so powerful and efficient that Ford isn’t even offering a V6 or hybrid option.
This story originally appeared at Green Car Reports.
The Lyonheart K
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