BMW and PSA add 1.4 engine to partnership

PEUGEOT Automobiles Australia is expected to offer a new high-tech 1.4-litre engine in its 207 later this year or early in 2008.

The engine is a result of the PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW collaboration which has delivered the new 1.6-litre Mini Cooper and Peugeot engines.

Producing 70kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque between 136Nm and 140Nm (depending on the application), the new 1.4-litre normally aspirated unit is based on the 1.6-litre engine the French and German manufacturers have jointly developed for the Peugeot 207 and Mini Cooper and Cooper S.

It has similar features including intake and exhaust variable valve timing and variable valve lift. The new engine has the same bore, but a reduced stroke.

The same engine will be offered in Europe in the Mini One but a 1.4-litre version is not expected to join the 1.6-litre Mini Cooper lineup locally when it goes on sale in March.

The new 207 goes on sale in March but is initially expected to be offered with the existing 55kW 1.4-litre in a base 207 three-door and a 65kW 16-valve 1.4-litre in the 207 five-door. A base 206 will continue to be sold alongside the 207 for the time being.

Left: Mini Cooper.

A 1.6-litre HDi turbo-diesel is also expected to be offered, along with a hot turbo-charged 110kW/240Nm 1.6-litre GT 207, leaving room for a more powerful GTi version later.

The new 70kW 1.4 may replace these engines later this year or early 2008.

The 1.4 is expected to account for 40 per cent of the total 1.4/1.6 production, with the normal-breathing 1.6-litre accounting for a further 40 per cent and the 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo making up the balance.

As applied in the new Mini One, the 1.4-litre engine offers a combined fuel figure of 5.7L/100km, compared to 6.8L/100km from its predecessor, a 16 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.

CO2 emissions are now 138 g/km, compared to 164 g/km produced by the previous model.