Size No Longer Matters

It’s an epidemic; turbo-charged smaller engines have taken over the automotive world. At first, I thought some automakers would keep normally aspirated V-8s alive. However, automotive journalists are in the process of saying their goodbyes and welcoming in the new era.

           

Automakers have decided to downsize engine sizes in the name of better fuel consumption, better weight distribution, and blah blah blah. Don’t be fooled. It’s all because of polar bears, large bodies of ice, and a random jungle that you’ve never seen. Automakers have realized that global warming is real, and have come up with a solution: turbocharging. What they forget about is the character that large displacement engines have. 

Audi, BMW, Mercedes (more specifically AMG), and Ferrari have succumbed to the peer pressure by opting for smaller turbocharged engines. All of these automakers claim more horsepower, better fuel economy, and reduced emissions. They have the numbers to prove all of this, but what about the driving experience? Will turbocharging engines change the overall dynamic of the vehicle?

Mike Musto from Drive recently reviewed the new CLA45 AMG. He liked it, but stated that the vehicle was missing an overall AMG presence. When you’re known for your insane engines, it’s difficult to follow up with something that is docile. So quite simply, yes. Placing smaller engines in vehicles has and will change their overall characteristic. 

The current Mercedes AMG 6.2-lier V-8 has a rawness that will surely be missed. The same bodes for the old Audi S4 and BMW M3. The aforementioned automakers have created a niche for sports cars with large engines. However, due to multiple factors (cuddly animals, planet earth, etc.), they have decided to downsize their honorable engines. Is it a good move? That depends on your perspective. However, don’t get too riled up just yet.

 My one argument for smaller engines rests solely with the next generation of supercars. The McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, and the Porsche 918 Spyder are the future. Gone are gigantic, prehistoric, mammoth engines. The days of gasoline powered engines mated with a hybrid motor has arrived. Am I worried? No, because if history has taught us anything, it’s that supercar technology slowly but surely trickles down to everyday cars. It’s going to take some time, but automakers will create smaller engines that will outperform their larger counterparts shortly. Sit back and enjoy some turbo noise, because you’re going to have to get used to it.