Opel Adam Getting 1.0-liter Three-Cylinder at Frankfurt Motor Show

At the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 10, OpelOpelGermany, 1863 > present85 models
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will reveal a new 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine for the AdamOpel ADAM Gen.1Germany, 2012 > present25 versions
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. The new, little engine produces 114hp and 122lb-ft of torque and will be offered with a new six-speed manual transmission that weighs 30% less than its predecessor. It will be sold at the 1.0 SIDI Turbo.

The new engine is made entirely from aluminum and includes efficiency tech like direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and a cylinder head integrated into the exhaust manifold.

The new engine produces peak torque from 1,800rpm to 4,700rpm, which is on par with Opel’s naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder. However, fuel economy is 20% better than a four-cylinder. Emissions will be below 100g/km of CO2.

“In developing this small engine, we not only set out to minimize fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, we also wanted to demonstrate that three cylinders can be just as refined as four or more. We tackled at source the balance, noise and vibration issues typical of conventional three-cylinder engines, and we’re confident customers will be pleasantly surprised by the results,” said Dr. Matthias Alt, Opel’s chief engineer for small gasoline engines.

To reduce the vibration and noise commonly associated with a three-cylinder engine, Opel incorporated a balance shaft on the oil sump that spins at the same speed as the crankshaft, and the engine covers and intake manifold include sound deadening.

The new six-speed manual transmission weighs 30% less than the previous generation and has a dry weight of 37kg. It will debut on the Adam but will be available on other Opel models soon.

Opel has not given a precise date for the launch of the 1.0 SIDI Turbo in the Adam but will announce more information in Frankfurt.