How small can be a gasoline engine for a spacious family car? I found an interesting response. But I wanted to see and where downsizing is worth, so we have to beat three different concepts. Compact car segment is basically the main area covered by any general producer and even from the premium in recent years. And emerging markets such as Romania and the cars are an excellent base for compact cars such as the family sedan.

Most popular models with petrol engines are about 1.6 liters and 100 horsepower, which is a decent compromise between a suitable purchase price, maintenance cost and acceptable performance in terms of honest family man who uses a car daily.

There are also many examples of such compact sedan cars with engines below 1.6 liters – primarily a marketing role to offer versions with the most attractive prices. Most times, however, mention submotorizate machines, the general perception is that a compact sedan should not be purchased if an engine has less than 1.6 liters and 100 hp.

Toyota Corolla offers currently the smallest engine sucked in a compact sedan class: talk of a propeller of 1329 cc, with variable valve VVT-i and developing no less than 101 hp. A praiseworthy performance on paper for the best-selling model in 2009. VW Group, however, managed to popularize the technology small displacement turbocharged engines, and Skoda brand low-cost German concern, provides for a propeller Octavia 1.4 TSI 122 PS, which, for a family car, is already very good.

But the Germans did not stop there: recently appeared in bid for Skoda Octavia and a smaller engine of only 1.2 liters – which, thanks to the turbine, develops 105 hp, that is flush with an aspirated engine, 6 liters. So, I found a very suitable match between the smallest and lowest aspirated engine turbo engine, both echipând some of most popular compact car class a family sedan.

But to us as a coherent idea, I made this comparison and a model with a conventional solution: Chevrolet Cruze, which is provided with basic motorized 1.6 liters and 113 hp. Thus, a match of a family vanities. Let’s see if you deserve to get a family car with small engine for the sake of lower costs (only crisis is not?) Or just talk about marketing strategies.

We quickly over chapter looks at cars and how they are inside, because, eh, talking about the previously well known to the public. We can, however, point out that the three, the Chevrolet Cruze is fresh design, both exterior and interior, while the Octavia and Corolla rely on a sober style, very suitable for serious familiştii two Car releasing a strong air of solidity and confidence. In the interior space, the Octavia is fastback sedan configurations clear advantage, offering a huge trunk, 560 liters in 5-seat configuration, while the Corolla and Cruz just 450 liters – average for compact sedans segment.

In the back seat, although it offers the largest ampatamenul Cruz (2.68 meters), it is slightly ahead in this chapter Corolla, where you have more room for knees. Octavia, however, only pays tribute to the wheelbase of 2.58 meters, having the smallest space behind the knee. Now, let’s see how it behaves compared these engines in various operating conditions. Let’s start with urban traffic.