New and durable. It is these units that should be chosen in modern cars. Management

Usually modern engines are not associated with durability. The sophisticated solutions used in them contribute to lower fuel consumption and less environmental pollution, but in many cases their life has nothing to do with simpler predecessors. However, not always. Here are 4 small engines still available in new cars that you can choose without fear. 

Toyota 1.0 P3

While Toyota wants to be known for its hybrid drives, it also has successful petrol units. The smallest sub-1L unit in the European offering was developed by Daihatsu, owned by this Japanese brand, but we identify the 1KR-FE motorcycle with good performance in the Aygo and Yaris models. Since its debut in 2005 A device made in Japan and Poland is always very well received., making it the best engine in the under 1L category four times in the international "Engine of the Year" poll.

Favorable opinions stem from the assumptions of the creators, who had the same goal with this engine: keeping it as simple as possible. Thus, in a 3-cylinder unit weighing only 70 kg, there is no supercharger, no direct fuel injection, no balance shaft. The abbreviation VVT-i in the designation refers to variable valve timing systems, but here they control only the intake shaft.

Several effects can be expected from such assumptions: track dynamics (maximum power is about 70 hp, which should be enough, for example, for a Yaris with several people on board) and low work culture, even despite the small power. On the other hand, we have a low purchase price and low maintenance costs here. The base unit in the range is also very economical (actual fuel consumption is 5-5,5 l/100 km, depending on the model) and virtually trouble-free. If there is one thing that fails in Toyota models with this engine, it is other transmission components such as the clutch. However, these are not the problems that will ruin the owner.

Peugeot/Citroen 1.2 PureTech

Living proof that downsizing doesn't always lead to "disposable" engines. In the face of new emission standards, the French concern PSA in 2014 launched a small 1.2 petrol unit with just 3 cylinders. Developed at great cost engine – so far – maintains high ratings. Thanks to its wide power range, satisfactory dynamics and low failure rate, it is one of the most popular engines from France today. Since 2019, after the takeover of Opel by PSA, it has also been produced at the group's plant in Tychy.

1.2 PureTech debuted as naturally aspirated engine (EB2 variant)used for driving, among other things Peugeot 208 or Citroen C3. With a power of 75-82 hp. it is not a dynamic unit, but economical and easy to operate. However, we recommend the turbocharged option (EB2DT and EB2DTS). With 110 and 130 hp it went to really big cars like the Citroen C4 Cactus or the Peugeot 5008.

Although the creation of a new engine was dictated by exhaust gas toxicity standards, its creators tried to create durable and easy to use motor. In practice, this is a durable unit, resistant to the use of lower quality fuel. If there is a need to perform an action on the site, it rarely costs more than a few hundred zlotys.

However, this engine requires some maintenance. The manufacturer recommends replacing the timing belt every 180. km, although today mechanics recommend reducing this interval to 120 thousand. km. Fortunately, this shortcoming was taken into account at the design stage, and now the entire operation costs no more than about 700 PLN. Often, the oil also needs to be changed here. To ensure a long service life of the turbocharger - at least every 10 thousand km.

Hyundai/Kia Gamma 1.6

The Korean 1,6-litre petrol engine is now the base engine almost exclusively in hotter Kia and Hyundai models, where it comes in a modern version with direct fuel injection and turbocharging. Produced since 2010, the unit (in parallel with a slightly smaller 1,4-liter twin) also had much simpler derivatives at the beginning.

Currently, in car dealerships, the simplest of them, i.e. without a supercharger and with multipoint injection, can only be found in the Hyundai ix20. There it still puts out a satisfying 125 hp, although the average consumption shown by users in the AutoCentrum.pl fuel consumption report of this drive version is not that low (6,6 l / 100 km).

Ultimately, however, choosing this device will still save you, because there is almost nothing wrong with this engine.. Later designs also scored high on the AutoCentrum database, but the first version of the bike actually had only one weak point: the chain that drives the camshafts. Fortunately, its replacement is not as expensive as in the case of many more complex designs (1200 PLN should be enough).

For this reason, this engine is now a good choice as a power source for a Korean car that is several years old. In a naturally aspirated version, in addition to the Hyundai ix20, it also appeared in the twin popular in Poland Kia Venga, Kia Soul from 2009 to 2011, as well as in some Hyundai i30 and Kia cee'd models.

Mazda Skyactiv-G

Under the name Skyactiv we can find ads Mazda philosophy of building cars. Currently, all drive units of this brand are created according to it and therefore have it in their designation, only with the addition of different letters. Diesels are labeled Skyactiv-D, while self-igniting petrols (a new proprietary Mazda solution) are sold as Skyactiv-X. Traditional petrol units Skyactiv-G are now much more popular than the two.

They are also closest to Skyactiv's strategy, which aims to looking for durability and performance in a simple design and relatively large displacement. Looking back, we can honestly admit that the Japanese designers in this case managed to achieve this goal. After all, engines from this line have been produced since 2011, so we already know quite a lot about them.

In addition to a relatively large displacement (1,3 liters for the smallest models, 2,0 or 2,5 liters for the larger ones), these engines feature a high compression ratio (14:1 for gasoline engines). However, this does not in any way affect their durability, because as no major crashes have been reported so far. Besides, there's not much to break here. There is direct injection with a relatively high working pressure, but there is no boost in any form. However, if any difficulties arise in the next few years, their cheap repair will be difficult due to limited access to replacement parts supplied from Japan.