Fuel Mileage Gets Higher and Cylinder Number Gets Lower; Four is the New Six

July 26, 2011 - PRLog -- DETROIT, M.I. – Fuel mileage has seen an increase over the past few years from changes automakers have made to their engine offerings, and it’s a trend that will continue as automakers face a 2016 mandate of 35.5 mpg average for their fleets.
Since 2005, the V8 lost its popularity as many automakers reduced engine cylinders to six and now to the more used four-cylinder engine.
The V8 engine has lost its steam as American’s iconic engine size. In 2005, the V8 engine was in one of every three engines whereas now it is in one of every six. The V6 engine slowly took over the reign of the V8 until it was in 43 percent of vehicles sold in 2005. Since that time six years ago, four-cylinders have moved to take the lead position with the same 43 percent from the beginning of the year until now.
There are definitely noticeable benefits for consumers as automakers change over to four-cylinder engines. With lighter, more efficient vehicles, the cost for consumers at the pump is much lower and fuel mileage is higher.
Some analysts say that by adding more technology to increase fuel economy, it adds costs of development down to consumers, but others like Michael Omotoso, J.D. Power and Associate's senior manager of global powertrain forecasting, have different thoughts. He believes that four-cylinders are less costly, estimating “that gasoline-electric hybrids are priced $4,000 to $6,000 higher than comparable four-cylinder gasoline vehicles, with pure electrics $10,000 to $15,000 more.”
One automaker that is using the four-cylinder to its advantage is General Motors with its eAssist Buick model. Its four-cylinder engine comes standard with the eAssist technology that pushes fuel economy to 25 percent more than the previous model without eAssist. Previous fuel mileage was 19 mpg city and 30 mpg highway; with the four-cylinder eAssist engine, the fuel mileage has increased to 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.
[Rewind: Buick LaCrosse MI Vehicles Receive General Motors Hybrid Technology Boost]
Other vehicles from General Motors that offer better technologies and increase fuel mileage include the Chevrolet Cruze. The Eco version is estimated at 42 mpg highway. Additionally, even the standard version is built with a variable-displacement oil pump that still provides improved engine efficiency.
Automakers will continue to add fuel mileage to their lineups as the 35.5 mpg mandate nears, and as they do, four-cylinders will probably remain as the number one built engine.
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[Source(s): Automotive News]