The aluminum 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo with central direct fuel injection will be available in the new Opel Astra in two outputs, 92 kW/125 hp and 107 kW/150 hp. Click to enlarge.

The 1.4-liter turbo delivers maximum torque of up to 245 N·m (181 lb-ft) between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. According to preliminary data, the turbo with Start/Stop will consume 4.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (48 mpg US) in the combined cycle (114 g/km CO₂). The 1.4-liter turbo will therefore be able to outperform even two-liter gasoline engines in all performance characteristics and replace them.

The engineers once again paid close attention to low noise levels and vibration behavior during the development of the 1.4-liter turbo just as for the one-liter, three-cylinder unit. The engine block was constructed with resonance reduction in mind; the oil pan split into two; the integration of the cylinder head into the exhaust manifold is noise protected; a sound absorbing cam cover has been designed; and the high-pressure injection valves decoupled and the timing chain trimmed for quiet concentricity.

Based on its construction, the new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo adds less weight to the car. The aluminum engine block alone weighs ten kilograms (22 lbs) less than the cast-iron block of the current 1.4-liter turbo. To make the engine as light as possible, the crankshaft is hollow cast; the oil pump drive is especially low friction; and the oil pump works in two pressure levels accordingly. The entire engine is designed for low friction oils with a viscosity grade of 5W-30.

The 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo is manufactured in the Opel Flex Plant in Szentgotthárd, which recently produced its eight-millionth engine.