Efficient Four-Cylinder Engines are Hot, Coming on Strong

All options are on the table as auto manufacturers gear up to meet the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards requiring a fleet average of 34.1 mpg by 2016. Of course, they are counting on hybrids and battery electric vehicles to be major contributors for meeting these stringent standards. In addition, they are also planning to use fuel-sipping four-cylinder engines in vehicles that go beyond their small economy models.
For example, four-cylinder engines will be the only choices available in some mid-size sedans. The 2011 Buick Regal can be ordered with either a 182 horsepower direct injected 2.4-liter engine or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four making 220 horsepower. Later, there will be a performance-oriented Regal GS with the turbocharged four-cylinder tweaked to produce about 250 horsepower. The next generation 2012 Chevrolet Malibu will feature the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, likely in normally aspirated and turbocharged forms.

Ford will offer its 2.0-liter, EcoBoost I-4 engine in the 2011 Ford Explorer SUV with a V-6 engine also offered. The EcoBoost I-4 delivers the power of a normally aspirated V-6 without compromising four-cylinder fuel economy. Turbocharged and intercooled, the I-4 engine delivers 237 horsepower. The EcoBoost I-4 could find itself under the hood of the Ford Fusion, F-150 pickup, and even the sporty Mustang in future years,
Chrysler will be able to compete with advanced technology four-cylinder engines, the result of the alliance between Chrysler and Fiat and the latter’s long-time use of smaller engines. The showpiece is Fiat's MultiAir electro-hydraulic, variable valve actuation technology. Available initially in a family of 16-valve, 1.4-liter naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines in 105, 135, and 170 horsepower versions, MultiAir can also be used in a wide range of gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and even hydrogen internal combustion powerplants.
Naturally, European and Asian automakers will be offering four-cylinder powered models, often using engines widely available in other markets. For instance, even though BMW has not sold a four-cylinder model in the U.S. since 1999, about 50 percent of BMW’s global sales are made up of four-cylinder vehicles. As expected, these four-cylinder engines will provide the performance expected in an ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ when they again appear in the U.S.

Hyundai, as well as its Kia brand, is also going the four-cylinder only route. The 2010 Sonata is currently available only with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and the 2011 Sonata will also be available with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Both powertrains will be used in the 2011 Kia Optima.
Will Americans who love their V-8s – and consider V-6 power a minimum – take to four-cylinder engines? After all, four-cylinder engines, at least in cars from Ford, GM, and Chrysler, have traditionally been viewed as appropriate for entry level economy models and rental car fleets, not family sedans and SUVs..
It may take some education. After all, buyers have accepted these smaller four-cylinder engines in upscale European and Asian brands. With technologies like EcoBoost and MultiAir coupled with modern electronics, the four-cylinder should provide six-cylinder performance, and with comparable smoothness. One thing consumers should be aware of is that while fewer cylinders may provide greater fuel economy under normal conditions, this advantage may disappear under high load conditions when a four-cylinder has to work harder. This can also affect engine life.

Source:-http://www.greencar.com/articles/efficient-four-cylinder-engines-hot-coming-strong.php