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Three-cylinder engines have been round for many years, usually present in financial system automobiles or early two-stroke fashions, resembling the unique Saabs. At this time, they serve a brand new objective. With fewer transferring components than a conventional four-cylinder engine, they usually ship higher gasoline financial system and decrease emissions, all whereas sustaining a light-weight and nimble design.
Whereas some would possibly query their place in efficiency automobiles, current fashions have proven simply how a lot enjoyable you may have with solely three cylinders. Engineers have pushed the boundaries of what these compact engines can do, and the outcomes are shocking in the easiest way.
From scorching hatches to oddballs, these machines present what a intelligent little engine can actually do.
Toyota GR Yaris
Though World Rally Championship guidelines now not require road-going homologation specials, Toyota determined to construct one anyway, and fanatics are glad they did. The GR Yaris has earned its popularity as the most effective scorching hatchbacks in current reminiscence.
It contains a distinctive three-door physique, a rally-developed all-wheel drive system, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine now pushing 300 horsepower. Energy is distributed by means of selectable torque splits, offering drivers with a style of real rally dynamics. Inside, the most recent fashions even borrow design cues from full-fledged rally automobiles, together with a motorsport-style dashboard.
Ford Fiesta ST
The ultimate Ford Fiesta ST marked a becoming sendoff for one of many best-loved scorching hatchbacks lately. Constructed on the seventh-generation Fiesta, this model swapped out the older 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for a extra compact and environment friendly 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder.
With 200 horsepower on faucet and a chassis tuned for enjoyable, the Fiesta ST proved that efficiency isn’t nearly uncooked pace. It’s about steadiness, responsiveness, and the grin it places in your face when carving by means of corners. Compact, agile, and stuffed with character, this little hatchback left an enduring impression.
Renault Twingo GT
Should you like your scorching hatchbacks with a touch of rear-wheel-drive mischief, the Renault Twingo GT delivers in shocking methods. Based mostly on the third-generation Twingo, this short-lived efficiency variant featured delicate exterior updates and a extra purposeful stance.
The true modifications have been underneath the pores and skin. A turbocharged 0.9-liter three-cylinder engine was tuned to supply 107 horsepower—a lot for a automobile this gentle. Unusually for a contemporary hatchback, the Twingo GT was rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, giving it playful dealing with and a novel format that drew comparisons to a scaled-down Porsche. It could not have stayed available on the market lengthy, nevertheless it left a memorable impression.
Volkswagen up! GTI
Amongst small hatchbacks, the Volkswagen up! earned reward for being sensible, refined, and surprisingly well-built for its dimension. It remained a robust vendor for over a decade, nevertheless it wasn’t till later in its life cycle that Volkswagen gave it the GTI remedy.
The up! GTI featured a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine producing 115 horsepower. On paper, that will appear modest, however because of the automobile’s light-weight building, the efficiency and driving really feel have been remarkably near the unique Mk1 Golf GTI. As a contemporary tribute to a efficiency icon, the up! GTI captured the essence of enjoyable driving in a compact, inexpensive package deal.
Toyota GR Corolla
The GR Corolla brings Toyota’s rally-bred efficiency to a broader viewers. Whereas American consumers missed out on the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla greater than makes up for it with its aggressive styling, critical engineering, and track-ready functionality.
It shares the identical turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 300 horsepower and paired solely with a guide transmission. Energy is shipped to all 4 wheels, and in sure trims, even the rear seats are eliminated to save lots of weight. In a nameplate recognized for reliability and practicality, the GR Corolla is an exciting and sudden twist—proof that even a Corolla can get your pulse racing.
Morgan Tremendous 3
Morgan made waves with the unique Three-Wheeler, a retro-styled oddity that proved much more succesful than it initially appeared. Regardless of its area of interest enchantment, the automobile developed a loyal following and proved that driving enjoyment doesn’t all the time require 4 wheels.
The newest evolution, the Tremendous 3, replaces the uncovered V-twin motorbike engine with a extra trendy powerplant: Ford’s 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder, similar block because the one within the Fiesta ST. Paired with a Mazda-sourced guide transmission, energy is shipped to a single rear wheel. It’s an unconventional components, however the result’s a light-weight, participating machine that gives a very distinctive driving expertise.
Toyota Aygo
The Toyota Aygo was Toyota’s entry into the aggressive A-segment metropolis automobile market in Europe, developed in partnership with the PSA Group. Whereas Citroën and Peugeot launched their very own variations, the Aygo stood out for its reliability and ease.
Most fashions got here outfitted with a 1.0-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine. It wasn’t quick or significantly sporty, nevertheless it excelled the place it mattered—sturdiness and low operating prices. With correct upkeep, the Aygo developed a popularity for being almost indestructible, making it a wise, reliable alternative for metropolis drivers who simply wanted a automobile that may hold going.
Autozam AZ-1
A part of the revered kei sports activities automobile trio alongside the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino, the Autozam AZ-1 stays probably the most distinctive microcars ever produced. Its gullwing doorways and mid-engine format made it appear to be a scaled-down unique, and it turned heads nicely past Japan’s kei automobile market.
Below the hood. Or relatively, behind the seats, was a turbocharged 657cc Suzuki-sourced three-cylinder, delivering the class-standard 63 horsepower. That won’t sound like a lot, however the engine revved to 9,000 RPM and paired completely with the automobile’s featherweight chassis. The AZ-1 supplied an exciting expertise far higher than the spec sheet would counsel, incomes its cult standing amongst fanatics.
Caterham Seven 160 / 170
Caterham’s light-weight sports activities automobiles are greatest recognized for his or her high-revving four-cylinder engines, significantly the potent Duratec models present in fashions just like the 310-horsepower Seven 620R. However the Seven 160, and its up to date sibling the 170, take a really completely different strategy.
As a substitute of chasing huge numbers, these fashions use a turbocharged 660cc three-cylinder from Suzuki, producing simply 80 horsepower. Which will sound modest, however the automobile weighs so little that it nonetheless delivers an extremely participating driving expertise. With minimal weight and pure mechanical suggestions, the Seven 160 and 170 are a reminder that efficiency is commonly extra about really feel than figures—proof that “sluggish automobile quick” continues to be the most effective methods to get pleasure from driving.
Koenigsegg Gemera
Although the manufacturing model has moved to a twin-turbo V8, the unique Koenigsegg Gemera prototype made headlines with probably the most excessive three-cylinder engines ever imagined. Nicknamed the “Tiny Pleasant Large,” the two.0-liter three-pot shaped the interior combustion core of the hybrid system.
Regardless of its compact dimension, this engine alone produced a staggering 600 horsepower. When paired with the Gemera’s electrical motors, the whole output reached a jaw-dropping 2,000 horsepower. Whereas it gained’t see manufacturing on this type, the prototype stands as a daring reminder of how far innovation can stretch, even with simply three cylinders.
Honda S660
In a nod to its beloved Beat roadster from the Nineteen Nineties, Honda launched the S660—a compact, mid-engined sports activities automobile that delivered a shocking quantity of enjoyable in a tiny package deal. Designed particularly for Japan’s kei automobile phase, the S660 blended retro inspiration with trendy engineering.
Its 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 63 horsepower, the category restrict, however revved previous 7,000 RPM and paired superbly with a light-weight chassis and rear-wheel drive. The end result was a spirited, high-revving driving expertise that punched nicely above its weight. Sadly, the S660 was by no means formally exported and ended manufacturing in 2022, making it a contemporary traditional that many fanatics solely admire from afar.
Mini Cooper
Whereas the highlight usually falls on the sportier Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants, the usual Mini Cooper deserves recognition of its personal, particularly in its three-cylinder type. Each the present Cooper C and the previous-generation Cooper One are powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that delivers shocking pep and effectivity.
Regardless of having fewer cylinders, these fashions retain the sharp dealing with and playful spirit that make the Mini so beloved. And as a enjoyable little bit of trivia, the sooner three-cylinder engine shares structure with the one discovered within the BMW i8. It might not be probably the most highly effective Mini, nevertheless it’s definitely probably the most charming.
Opel Corsa Hybrid
A current replace to the Opel Corsa introduced a brand new powertrain that quietly turned this on a regular basis hatchback right into a surprisingly satisfying drive. The newest model contains a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a gentle hybrid system, producing both 100 or 134 horsepower, relying on the trim.
Whereas these figures could appear modest, the Corsa’s compact dimension means it makes probably the most of its energy. The addition of a quick-shifting dual-clutch computerized transmission enhances each responsiveness and effectivity. It’s the identical Stellantis-sourced engine discovered throughout a lot of the group’s lineup, however within the Corsa Hybrid, it delivers a well-rounded mixture of enjoyable and practicality.
