2000Firehawk

GM Readies New 2.0 Turbo Four-Cylinder for 2012
Debuting back in 2006, General Motors first became famous for the 2.0-liter displacement with the coveted LNF. The Ecotec four-cylinder was quickly made famous for its 260 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. Since then the 2.0-liter has been a hot topic in regards to GM applications, but GMI hears it’s about to get hotter with the launch of an all-new 2.0-liter turbo.

Today the LNF is no longer being utilized in any vehicles, however a variation of the engine is still in production for the Buick Regal Turbo and Regal GS in North America, and the Opel Insignia in Europe. The 2.0-liter mill in all three applications wears the name LHU.

In the Regal Turbo and Insignia the engine generates a modest 220 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque, while the high-output Regal GS generates 270 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of torque.

Much confusion has surfaced that the 2.0-liter turbo in the Regal GS is the "new" 2.0-liter, but that is incorrect. In the Regal GS GM has upped the boost level on the turbocharger and increased exhaust flow to generate the increased power figures. Because the modifications are minimal, it is simply referred to as the high output version of the LHU.

According to sources familiar with engine development, GM is readying an all-new Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo engine. The engine is expected to debut in 2012 in the upcoming Cadillac small sedan, codenamed ATS. Sources also state that the engine will be the V-6 replacement for the all-new Chevrolet Malibu.

Exact power figures for the new 2.0-liter turbo are not known at this time, however sources told GMI to expect it to generate between 270 and 280 horsepower. The engine is reportedly an all-new design and will be part of the new family of Ecotec four-cylinders at GM, joining the recently announced Ecotec 2.5-liter, also found in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

Back in August GMI confirmed that future GM midsize sedans would only see four-cylinder power. The news of this new 2.0-turbo suggests that the V-6 exodus in the GM midsize sedan lineup may not be as much of a problem as originally thought.

GMI's source concluded by saying that the new 2.0-liter turbo will be "The engine of choice" at GM going forward.

TurboTechRacing

iTrader: (24)

They needed to state it will be in the Chevrolet Cruze! Dang it

ssweeet

iTrader: (2)

Link to your source of information?

CobaltVenomSS

iTrader: (2)

i want a regal GS so bad!

ebristol

iTrader: (4)

Here is more info on the 2.5L ecotec.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011...-20110919.html

Pyros777

iTrader: (4)

Sweet.

Knightwolf

Not impressed... they still need to bring back a 2-dr sport compact to replace the Cobalt imo.. anything else is just for the masses...

MastaShaKe_88

iTrader: (5)

uuuggghhh im waitin for this ATS to come out

dmeine13

I <3 ecotec!! this is great news

user 72239

iTrader: (4)

This.

Im not a fan of any of the Cadillac vehicles.

ebristol

iTrader: (4)

For real?

Projekt

That is sexy

emiller

Small coupes aren't big sellers. Designing a car that isn't going to sell in high volumes just means that cost is spread out over fewer vehicles and makes them all more expensive.

tylerjclance

iTrader: (7)

This very unfortunate but true. ..

ebristol

iTrader: (4)

People will buy small coupes but they don't expect performance. They expect 40+ mpg. Until small coupes can do both, they will never be real popular.

emiller

People with kids won't buy them either. It's just less practical.

riceburner

iTrader: (66)

idk every cobalt doesn't last long on showroom floors especially ss models.

they do gotta make more performance oriented compact sport cars. it really is the best of both worlds with performance, reliablility and mpg, you just cant go wrong

AyrtonSenna

It depends, I have 2 kids but I didn't give a damn lol!! I loved the car and I was always able to fit them fine in my T/C. And they are 11 and 7, they love coming in my car in an unbelievable way.
I have my best friend that as soon as he had his first child, he went to trade his Acura Integra for an Acura MDX with 7 seats. I never understood the reason why. If he will have another 2 kids, since he's still young, I'm sure he will trade his MDX for a school bus ahahaha.
Christian

emiller

My gf would do the same. If you aren't having a bunch you don't need all that room but a lot more people think like they do.

AyrtonSenna

Right. In my trunk I can fit a strolley and all the bags you may need to carry the stuff for one child. And there is still space for a suitcase in the event of a weekend away. I never understood these kind of people that think like that, just if one kid needs 100 square feet of car space to fit his things
Christian

TommyP

iTrader: (2)

Oh GM, I love your motors, now learn what weight reduction means!!!!!!!! Cars with that much power are worthless if they weigh 4000 lbs.

vahdyx

iTrader: (7)

I was excited, I automatically assumed it was a new car. Seeing how they weren't gonna say it was the Cruze, I assumed they were gonna make a new sports sub compact and just make it the performance version.

Like Hyundai did with the Genesis Coupe or Toyota did with the Supra

Damn...

Still waiting on Cruze SS or I'm jumping to Mazda S3, Subie or Ford ST lol

TommyP

iTrader: (2)

after having an ss/tc imo the only upgrade out of what you listed would be a wrx/sti

ebristol

iTrader: (4)

We talked about this with a GM rep at the CED meet a couple of years ago. He said the sport compact performance market is TINY in relation to the needs of most drivers.

All people what from cars is a low price, reliability and good gas mileage.

emiller

Talk to the government because its not just a GM thing. They are the ones requiring all that safety stuff that adds so much weight. Or be prepared to pay a lot more for car car that uses lighter more expensive materials to meet the requirements.