Two of General Motors newest, high-performance overhead cam engines – the 2.0-litre Ecotec Supercharged and 2.8-litre V6 Turbo – have been named among the industry’s 10 best engines of 2006 by the editors at Ward’s Communications.

Both engines are variants from two of GM’s most popular global, modular engine families, designed, engineered, and produced around the world. They also share a similar attribute, which Ward’s noted as an important development occurring in the industry today: forced induction.

“Turbocharging and supercharging allow us to develop big-displacement-like engine performance, while maintaining the efficiency benefits from a small displacement engine,” said Sam Winegarden, GM Powertrain executive director of engine engineering. “We’re pleased that the editors at Ward’s recognise our expertise in developing these efficient, high-performance engines.

Supercharged Ecotec
“GM makes serious inroads into the affordable performance market with its thrilling 2L supercharged DOHC I-4 used in the Cobalt SS performance coupe,” said Bill Visnic, Ward’s senior technical editor. “Thanks to supercharging and intelligent design, GM engineers squeeze more than 100 hp per litre from their 4-cylinder dynamo”.

The Ecotec 2.0L supercharged is a variant of GM’s global Ecotec family, which features an aluminium block, inline four-cylinder, dual overhead cam, four-valve-per-cylinder engine design. At the heart of the Ecotec supercharged is an Eaton M62 helical roots-type supercharger. Maximum supercharger boost pressure is 12 pounds, and the system includes an air-to-water intercooler to increase intake-charge density, which in turn enhances power and reduces a supercharged engine’s propensity to “knock” at high boost levels.

The Ecotec supercharged also received upgraded components in critical stress areas, thanks to experience in the tortuous crucible of the National Hot Rod Association’s Championship Drag Racing series – where the Ecotec has developed a “bullet-proof” reputation as a formidable powerplant for front-wheel drive dragsters.

Available in either the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged or the Saturn ION Red Line, the Ecotec SC slams out a formidable 205 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm.

It is built exclusively at GM Powertrain’s Kaiserslautern, Germany, engine plant.

2.8L V6 Turbo
“A sophisticated mid-displacement V-6 and turbocharging are a remarkably effective combination,” says Visnic. “GM and Saab have created an impressive performance-car engine with high specific output and the thrill of turbocharging.”

The 2.8L V6 Turbo is the newest addition to GM’s contemporary global V-6 engine family. All engines in the global V-6 family share traits that include a 60-degree lightweight aluminium cylinder block with iron cylinder sleeves, an aluminium structural oil pan and aluminium cylinder heads, dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The 2.8L V-6 Turbo builds on those strengths with components and technology developed with Saab specifically for the turbo system, variable valve timing, and a variable fuel pressure system to ensure smooth idle and driving characteristics.

The 2.8 turbo system features a unique, twin-scroll turbocharger. It has an integral bypass valve and is fed by two exhaust ducts – one from each cylinder bank. Separating the exhaust gas pulses with two compressor zones improves gas flow and reduces energy loss. The turbo system’s charge cooler promotes performance by reducing the temperature of inlet air.

Delivering 250 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,800 – 4,500 rpm, the 2.8 V6 Turbo is standard globally in all 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero models, which includes the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible. It is also featured in Europe in the Opel Vectra and will be available in (northern) spring 2006 in the Cadillac BLS.

The 2.8L V-6 Turbo is built at Holden’s Port Melbourne, Australia global V-6 engine facility.

Ward’s Communications publishes Ward’s AutoWorld and Ward’s Engine and Vehicle Technology Update. The criteria for the 10 Best Engines competition includes a range of customer drivability factors such as horsepower, torque, technical relevance to the vehicle, and low levels of noise, vibration and harshness. Now in its twelfth year, Ward’s 10 Best Engines was developed as a way to recognise superior performance and showcase the critical importance of powertrain technology and excellence in engine engineering.

GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, castings and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine, and industrial OEMs. Headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, GM Powertrain has operating and coordinating responsibility for GM’s powertrain manufacturing plants and engineering centres in North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Saab launched the 9-3 Aero Sport Sedan and Convertible in Australia last week. The Saab V6 Turbo is the newest addition to GM's Global V6 engine family; it powers the 9-3 Aero range. The engine is manufactured by GM in Port Melbourne.

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