[TheKingfish]

In the palace of continual praise, every now and then I run across and share a newspaper article that heaps it onto our object of affection. This time it was a Detroit Free Press piece listing the ten best engines on the market (link attached). Purposed to identify the most efficient drivetrains available, the prestigious 2017 WardsAuto list contained seven turbocharged and three hybrid products.

Ever drawn to the engineering side of things, the Volt 1.5L write-up was a worthy bask. It garnered the most words and was quite flattering. In our predominant ICE world I have observed this particular Motor City author to be a staunch EV fan, so that helps I suppose.
Enjoy,
TheKingfish
2014 Brownstone Metallic / Pebble Beige Leather-Suede / purchased April 2014
2017 Citron Green Metallic / Jet Black Leather / purchased June 2016

http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2017/01/28/turbos-tech-10-best-engines/97087314/

 

[Raymondjram]

I have studied supercharged and turbocharged gas engines since 1969 as my submitted engineering paper, although I completed my degree as an EE. But I had a Volvo with a turbocharged engine, so I have some experience. Ward's review analyzed the modern turbocharged engines as they are replacing the large V8 and V8 engines of the "muscle car era", yet at idle or low revolutions they are as fuel efficient as other four (or three) cylinder engines in the market. They are more complex and need special lubrication and cooling conditions, but can last as long as regular engine if treated carefully. So that is why the list has no V6 or V8 engines anymore.

The future is to get more out of the gas engine with less weight and less waste. But we all know that the electric motor is the most efficient energy conversion to mechanical power, and that its only limit is the storage of that energy. Hybrids allow the vehicles to use the best of both worlds. And the Chevy Volt is the most efficient of all hybrids.

 

[alfon]

The 2016 - 2017 Volt's 1.5 engine is quite fuel efficient. Our 2016 Volt delivered on regular grade Costco Gas (winter blend 10% Ethanol) 54.2 mpg for 186.8 miles during 3 days I took extended trips outside the electric range. This is after the Propulsion reduction recall was done last week at our local Chevy dealer. Highway driving with a few towns to drive through on Highway 101 to the Tillamook Oregon area. For a car that weighs well over 3,500 lbs I believe the 1.5 direct injection could possible be the most fuel efficient engine GM manufactures.

Calculation was done at the same Costco gas pump for the final figure. The fuel used by the Volt's on board computer is very accurate. The computer stated fuel used for those gas miles was 3.4499 gal's, the gas pump readout was 3.444 gals. Now our 2010 Prius computer is always over reading mpg.
If the computer reads 50 mpg, actual calculated figure is usually 46.5-47 mpg.