“The 1.6 is the standard turbo engine in the Family 1 series of engines, one size up from the Family 0, and a size down from the Family II. GM’s engine families are determined by bore spacing, but each generation has other features in common as well. The Family 1 engines are produced in Sventgotthard, Hungary (Ecotec III 1.6 and 1.8 L engines), Korea (GM Daewoo E-Tec II 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 L, Ecotec II 1.8 L and Ecotec III 1.4, 1.6 and later this year 1.8 L) and Brazil (SOHC EconoFlex 1.0, 1.4 and 1.8 L high-compression E20–E100 flexfuel engines). The Ecotec III Family 1 uses a new lightweight, more compact iron block, with either Dual-VVT, turbocharging or TwinPort active intake-ports (the latter two options only on 1.6 L engines). The 1.6 Turbo is built in several different outputs (IIRC 150, 180 and 192 PS), and replaces the low-boost versions of the Family II 2.0 Turbo (170, 175 and 200 PS). As with the Family 0 and Family II turbos, you can expect Dual-VVT and DI to further boost the efficiency and power of the 1.6 Turbo in future. The Turbo 1.6 is currently offered on the Corsa, Meriva, Astra and Zafira, and will next appear on the Insignia. The Dual-VVT engines are offered on the Corsa, Meriva, Astra, Zafira, Vectra and 2009 Aveos; and later this year the Cruze will debut in Korea (as the new Daewoo Lacetti) with the 1.8 Dual-VVT.”

180HP or 192HP 1.6t engine doesn’t sound bad at all!

If this 1.6T is built and produces less than 210hp (standard on current 9-3 in the US), they might as well close shop and send everyone home.

Thus, the whole question about hp, but in particular about displacement, is rather artificial.

One interesting thought:

2l displacement is the maximum volume of all four cylinders at bottom dead centre at the same time. But this scenario never happens thanks to the crank shaft. Otherwise this would indicate a engine´s total write off.

And even if it would be this way, bottom dead cntre is the point where the the combustion process starts again, thus no power is transmitted to the crank shaft. So, that do you do with these quarter litre per cylinder? Filling it with Ale and get drunk?

Another interesting point about “right sizing”: In the late 80s and early 90s, Saab already advertised their 2l Turbos as an economical but yet powerful alternative to 2,5l-3l V6 engines. Did you already forget that? Now, 2l engines a matured and turned into the dinosaurs the 3l V6 were in the old Saab adds.

“Further down the line, GM’s new 2.9-litre V6 diesel will be offered. Saab’s XWD four-wheel-drive system will be offered, and expect a high-riding, SUV-style crossover variant of the estate to follow. ”

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=17938&intcmp=rss_4car_news

“Basically, 200 HP is 200 HP, and it doesn’t matter if comes from a V6, turbo 4, or a Flux Capacitor and Mr. Fusion unit.”

I think its fair to say this is not true. Different engines can deliver VERY different ’200 horsepower’s. For example, a 1.6T engine will deliver a very different hp and torque curve than a 2.0 or 2.3 that might also peak at 200 hp.

The quote you give states that the V6s will start at 2.8, but that there will also be at least one four cylinder engine.

Carl,

Just because Opel’s 1.6 put-out 158hp doesn’t mean that Saab won’t get a higher output version. As other have pointed out, a direct injection turbo 1.6 should easily beat 200hp.

All,

I am still amazed that the Saab faithful who comment on this blog suddenly don’t believe that a four cylinder turbo can deliver the goods or be reliable. It looks like this engine will put out more power and torque than the current 2.3 LPT, never mind the 150 hp 2.0t.
Perhaps Saab should do like other brands and label the 1.6T “2.0t+” to get over the perception gap.

You could produce a 1.6 litre turbo with sufficient power and torque to cope with such a car, but I think it’s long term durability would be suspect. I have to agree with Swade, a 1.6 litre turbo may lack refinement for Saabs range topping car. We aren’t talking Corsas here!

How about a little 2 litre V6 turbo? Again refinement is a issue. I don’t think the Holden V6 will be refined enough for such a car.