American motorists have long worshiped big engines that generate high horsepower, but as we all know unstable gasoline prices have diminished the fervor for big V-8s in favor of smaller, more fuel efficient powerplants.

     Small engines have been in favor in Europe and Asia for decades as fuel economy has been a compelling factor. Now that gasoline costs a lot more here, many motorists see the wisdom of smaller engines, too.

     "That's re-opened the door for the return of the 3-cylinder engine in the U.S., as well, and we will see more of them as more small cars and crossover utility vehicles enter the market," says David Zoia, editorial director of Wardsauto.com. "And thanks to a combination of technology -- including direct-injection and modern turbo-charging -- this time around these engines not only are fuel-efficient, they're also powerful and fun to drive."

     The only production vehicle on sale in the U.S. with a 3-cylinder engine is the diminutive Smart Car. But other automakers have plans to join the downsizing movement.

     BMW recently announced it will begin producing a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine that will debut next year in its i8 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The German carmaker also says it will even use a modified 2-cylinder scooter engine in its coming i3 electric vehicle. Heidelinde Holzer, a BMW engine development chief, says the tiny engines will help meet coming stringent mpg and emissions regulations.

     Holzer says the new aluminum 3-cylinder engine is half the size of BMW's next generation 6-cylinder engine. However, BMW adds a balance shaft to the 3-cylinder to prevent excessive vibration and noise.

     Despite its small size the direct injection 3-cylinder engine, which weighs only a little more than half of what the current 4-cylinder weighs, will generate 177 horsepower and 199 lb.-ft. of torque, similar to the output of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder now used in the 3 Series and other BMW models.

     BMW will produce both gasoline and diesel fueled versions of the 3-cylinder engine, Holzer says. But there are no plans at present to bring a diesel version to the U.S.

     Coming here later in 2013 is a 3-cylinder engine from Ford to power its new Fiesta. Already on sale in Europe, the sub-compact Fiesta with a 3-cylinder engine is predicted to be a 40-mpg vehicle on the highway. The 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine generates 123 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. That's more power than from the 4-cylinder engine it replaces produces.

     General Motors currently sells a 3-cylinder engine in Europe, but it last sold a car with a 3-cylinder engine here in the early 1990s. So, GM recently announced a new 3-cylinder engine, as part of a new family of Ecotec powerplants -- including some 4-cylinder models that will be available later in the decade.

     GM plans to use these new engines in its effort to meet tighter fuel economy standards of 35.5 mpg by 2017 and 54.5 mpg by 2025. Smaller engines alone, however, won't get GM to that point. The company will mate the new engines to an 8-speed automatic transmission that's due to debut in 2016.

     GM also is collaborating with Ford on a new generation of 9- and 10-speed transmissions designed to to obtain better fuel economy and performance. -- Herb Shuldiner, Motor Matters

Manufacturer Photo: With its 1.0-liter capacity, the 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine is the smallest engine currently produced by Ford. Yet, despite its small capacity and proportions, the forward-thinking design delivers power and performance to rival a traditional 1.6-liter gas engine while emitting less CO2. Ultimately, this all-new engine will be made available in Ford models in North America, China and in other regions. (Pictured: 3-cylinder Focus European spec)

Copyright, Motor Matters, 2013

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