Competition: GM Considers 4-Cylinder Engine For Camaro

Story By Sam Haymart

Gas prices, government clamp down deciding factors.

03-20-08: We warned you last winter what the new hell-bent-on-green government regulations would bring. At the New York Auto show, GM’s own car czar Bob Lutz said that GM is seriously considering adding a 4-Cylinder engine to the Camaro lineup amid gas price concerns and the need to meet future CAFÉ regulations.

The engine would be a turbo-charged and direct injected variant of the 2.0 liter engine that powers the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice GXP roadsters. Producing 260 horsepower, the engine would be the first time a 4-Cylinder engine has powered a Camaro since 1982. Back then a miserable 2.5 liter “Iron Duke” naturally aspirated engine with less than 100hp pulled the heavy F-Body around. It was short lived however as few buyers opted for it.

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Whether or not the turbo 4-Cylinder would offer much of a hike in MPG over the standard 3.6 liter direct-injection V6 slated for the Camaro is anyone’s guess. The high tech engine will be a slightly detuned version of the 300+ hp DOHC V6 from the Cacillac CTS. Making 260 horsepower, the Camaro’s V6 will be identical to that of the 4-Cylinder.

It begs to question whether Ford will look at taking a similar move and adding their new Eco-Boost turbo 4-Cylinder to the Mustang. The direct injected 2.0 liter turbo motor is reported to produce 275hp. Whether or not the engine would offer better efficiency than a naturally aspirated V6 is the big question.

In any case, the V6 Camaro’s will account for the majority of production. It should prove to be a formidable competitor to Mustang V6 and Challenger V6.