The Most Powerful, Reliable & Efficient Turbo Engine

What the most powerful, reliable & efficient turbo engine? While the pandemic was still going on, there was growing interest in the cheapest cars in operation. Here is a list of 6 of the simplest, efficient, powerful, reliable and most cost-effective aftermarket turbo engine.

Most Reliable Powerful Efficient Smallest Turbo Engines

Buying your own car contributes greatly to the current recommended social distancing. Many people who have been using public transportation have done so consciously for fear of the costs involved in owning a car. Buying, insuring, fueling, repairing – it all costs so much money that, according to many, it doesn’t compensate for the independence of driving your own car.

Best Smallest Turbo Engines

Despite its disadvantages, budget diesel engines are a viable alternative to petrol units.

  • PSA-Ford 1.4 HDi Turbo Engine
  • Fiat 1.3 MultiJet Turbo Engine
  • Hyundai-Kia 1.1 CRDi Turbo Engine
  • Hyundai-Kia 1.4 CRDi Turbo Engine
  • Volkswagen 1.4 TDI Turbo Engine
  • Toyota 1.4 D-4D Turbo Engine

We have collected 6 of the most popular small turbo diesel engines and described their parameters, including possible faults. Here they are.

PSA-Ford 1.4 HDi Engine

PSA and Ford are responsible for the development of this small turbo engine, this diesel engine can also be found in the Mazda II. This is technically the equivalent of a larger and much-appreciated 1.6 HDi engine. This engine is installed as a basic diesel version, also in compact cars and small vans.

The weakest version has been simplified as much as possible: in the 54 HP version (Citroen C1 / Peugeot 107 / Toyota Aygo) we will not experience an intercooler, a little more powerful (68 HP) still has a single mass flywheel and a fixed geometry turbo. For years, version 1.4 HDi has not come into contact with the diesel particulate filter. They all share a very modest demand for fuel, although only the most powerful variant (90 HP) can be driven fearlessly on the road.

  • Production year: 2001-2012
  • Capacity: 1398 cm³
  • Maximum power: 54-90 HP
  • Torque: 130-200 Nm
  • Time drive: Belt
  • Power: Common rail
  • Installed: Citroen C1 I, Citroen C2, Citroen C3 I, Citroen C3 II, Citroen Nemo, Ford Fusion, Ford Fiesta VI, Ford Fiesta VII, Mazda 2 II, Peugeot 107, Peugeot 1007, Peugeot 206/206 +, Peugeot 207, Peugeot 307, Peugeot Bipper, Toyota Aygo I

Fiat 1.3 MultiJet Engine

Unlike the larger Italian turbo engines, the MultiJet 1.3 is not considered a reliable power unit. In most cases, the timing chain is pulled prematurely, and the turbocharger (with variable or fixed geometry), the clutch also has average durability. The latter, along with the failure of the diesel particulate filter, was the result of installing this engine in cars moving primarily around the city.

In 2009, Fiat modernized its structure, using a new injector and DPF, and “adding” the Start & Stop system. Currently, it is gradually withdrawing it from the smallest models. Interestingly, the production of the 1.3 MultiJet engine was carried out by the factory in Bielsko-Biała. The well-maintained units are impressed by the sensational burns and the proper work culture. The disadvantage: turbulence is quite obvious.

  • In production: From 2003
  • Capacity: 1248 cm³
  • Max power: 69-105 HP
  • Torque: 145-210 Nm
  • Time drive: Chain
  • Power: Common rail
  • Installed: Alfa Romeo MiTo, Fiat 500, Fiat Panda II, Fiat Panda III, Fiat Punto III, Fiat Tipo II, Fiat Albea, Fiat Linea, Fiat Idea, Fiat Fiorino / Qubo, Fiat Strada, Lancia Ypsilon I, Lancia Ypsilon II, Opel Corsa D, Opel Corsa E, Opel Astra H, Opel Astra J

Hyundai-Kia 1.1 CRDi Engine

The smallest drive unit in this comparison is not necessarily the sluggishest. The Korea 1.1 CRDi delivers up to 75 KM, thanks in part to a variable geometry turbocharger, which also improves response when pressing the gas pedal. It’s structurally based on another Hyundai-Kia turbodiesel – the 1.5 CRDi, but it lacks a fourth cylinder.

The time chain is still responsible for moving time. Performance, at least for the smallest car (Hyundai i10 / Kia Picanto), must be rated positively. In the bigger Hyundai i20 the lack of torque at higher speeds will be a little affected, so we recommend it to people who rarely travel out of town. It’s not easy to find them in the after-sale market: customers prefer the simple Korean petrol version or the larger 1.4 CRDi turbo diesel described below.

  • Production year: 2006-2018
  • Capacity: 1120 cm³
  • Max power: 75 HP
  • Torque: 153-170 Nm
  • Time drive: Chain
  • Power: Common rail
  • Installed: Hyundai i10 I, Hyundai i20 I, Hyundai i20 II, Kia Picanto I

Hyundai-Kia 1.4 CRDi Engine

Unlike the 1.1 CRDi, the 1.4 CRDi already uses 4 cylinders, which has a very positive impact on the drone’s characteristics and vibration levels. Multiple mass flywheel assembly and complex turbochargers are not carried out, therefore the failure rate is basically minimal. A well-developed timing system also contributes to this: the chain, provided that the oil change interval is observed, lasts more than 200,000 km.

Korean proposals are quite sensitive to the quality of the fuel being refilled. Therefore, there is no point in saving, especially since the combustion results are satisfactory. Users criticize the unsatisfactory performance of the 1.4 CRDi in the compact car. They only fit city models (Kia Rio / Hyundai i20).

  • Production year: 2011-2018
  • Capacity: 1396 cm³
  • Max power: 90 HP
  • Torque: 220-240 Nm
  • Time drive: Chain
  • Power: Common rail
  • Installed: Hyundai i20 I, Hyundai i20 II, Hyundai i30 II, Hyundai ix35, Kia Rio III, Kia Cee’d II, Kia Venga

Volkswagen 1.4 TDI Engine

The world is familiar with two generations of 1.4 TDI 3 cylinder turbo diesel. First debuted in 1999 as a derivative of the “indestructible” 1.9 TDI, this machine is also equipped with a unit injector. As a result, the engine creaks loudly and vibrates, but it’s also very durable (and certainly works well with tough operations in a city car or as a company fleet). In 2014, a new common rail fuel variant appeared, this time based on the 1.6 / 2.0 TDI unit from the EA288 family.

The capacity and drive time (belt) have not changed, the work culture has been slightly improved and higher power and torque values ​​have been obtained. The newer Type 1.4 TDI should be equipped with relatively modern equipment, including a double-mass flywheel and a diesel particulate filter. However, you will have to cover several kilometers to start thinking about replacing it. With high mileage, the EGR valve also started to break down and the oil on the dipstick was getting smaller and faster.

  • In production: from 1999
  • Capacity: 1422 cm³
  • Max power: 70-105 HP
  • Torque: 155-250 Nm
  • Time drive: Belt
  • Power supply: Common rail / Unit injector
  • Installed: Audi A2, Audi A1 I, Seat Arosa, Seat Ibiza III, Seat Ibiza IV, Skoda Fabia I, Skoda Fabia II, Skoda Fabia III, Skoda Roomster, Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Lupo, Volkswagen Fox, Volkswagen Polo IV, Volkswagen Polo V

Toyota 1.4 D-4D Engine

Toyota has a unique expertise in designing durable, low capacity turbo engines. Apart from the 1.0 petrol, this group includes the 1.4 D-4D diesel. It was not affected by the known failures of other Toyota turbo, as it came from a completely different family (code 1ND-TV). We’re going to experience a turbo with variable geometry, but not a double mass flywheel.

DPF appeared in 2008, and with it a new (theoretically non-regenerative) electric injector. The 1.4 D-4D, especially in the 90 HP version, drives the first-generation Yaris and Mini to life. Only a driver of a compact car with a relaxed driving style will be able to accept it.

  • Production year: 2002-2018
  • Capacity: 1364 cm³
  • Max power: 75-90 HP
  • Torque: 170-205 Nm
  • Time drive: Chain
  • Power: Common rail
  • Installed: Mini One DI, Toyota Yaris I, Toyota Yaris II, Toyota Yaris III, Toyota Yaris Verso, Toyota Auris I, Toyota Auris II, Toyota Corolla IX, Toyota Corolla X, Toyota Corolla XI

Conclusion

However, the new conditions of day-to-day operation have found a niche in the automotive after-sales market, which is by far the most desirable. We are talking about diesel engines with a small capacity, that is, up to 1.4 liters. Many models with budget units like this leave showroom, but they usually supply large corporate fleets, where only the lowest possible travel costs are calculated. For this reason, cars with small turbo engines do not damage the equipment, but in most of them it is futile to expect adequate performance.

These aspects are not so important when looking for a used car that is as cheap as possible to operate. First of all, small turbodiesel actually burns very little: you often hear the declaration at the level of 5-5.5 l / 100 km, certain models even fall under these values (we are talking about a combined cycle).

Second, their equipment is based on the least complex solutions we can find in modern cars. Cheap diesel engines rarely had a double-mass flywheel, diesel particulate filters didn’t reach them until 2010 (when they became a mandatory element), and simpler types of turbochargers were also frequently used (without the variable blade geometry). This policy has another side: the small turbo engine vibrates loudly and has a distinct turbo-lag.

Leave a Comment