The Circle L, originally the Isuzu 4EE2, is an automobile engine produced by GM Powertrain Poland in Poland. It is a inline-four 16-valve turbocharged diesel engine designed by Isuzu as part of their E-family of compact diesel engines. The engine was produced in Tychy, Poland by Isuzu Motors Polska (later GM Powertrain Poland) for use in Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet, and Honda vehicles.

History

In the late nineties the Japanese company Isuzu, which was known for the efficiency of its diesel engines, collaborated with General Motors on a new diesel engine for the European market for Opel and Vauxhall. For this purpose it opened a new plant in the city of Tychy, in Poland, called Isuzu Motor Polska. The engine blocks were supplied from Japan. By May 2004, after about five years in production, Isuzu Motors Polska had built one million 4EE2 engines.

At the time the engine was developed, GM owned a 49% share of Isuzu, but later dissolved its stake and reacquired a 12% share for US$80 million in exchange for exclusive rights to what they named the Circle L engine.

Characteristics

For reasons of economy, GM and Isuzu chose not to make an engine from scratch, but rather evolved the new engine from an existing base. Thus, the Isuzu 4EE1 1.7-liter was chosen and developed into the 4EE2 engine, later renamed the "Circle L" family of engines after General Motors took over the rights to the design.

The engine kept the dimensions of the 1.7 4EE1. The main differences are in the DOHC camshafts and direct injection. Maximum power is at 4400 rpm, with torque of at 1800 rpm.

Applications:

  • Honda Civic (seventh generation) (Europe)

See also

  • List of GM engines
  • DMAX
  • Honda N series diesel engine

References

  • Mercruiser Brochure
  • Mercruiser Brochure
  • Mercruiser Brochure
  • Mercruiser/Isuzu Venture Article