Nothing beats displacement except even more displacement. Although most Chinese people never heard this English saying, they always agree with this view. Luxury cars should have a large displacement, while small-displacement engines are just for cheap cars.

However, the world is changing. Displacement needs replacement. More and more small-displacement turbocharged engines were introduced into Chinese market successfully, not only for compact cars, but also for the luxury.
The Shanghai GM Cadillac SLS 2.0T SIDI, will be unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show next week and will be a milestone of this progress. This is because the engine with 262hp and 360Nm is the most powerful in its segment, its much stronger than Audi’s A6L 2.0T’s 170hp, VW CC 2.0TSI’s 200hp, Mercedes E260CGI’s 204hp and even little brother Buick Regal 2.0T’s 220hp. Moreover, Cadillac was synonymous with large displacement, because of the imported Fleetwood 15 years ago, which was regarded as the most luxurious car by Chinese people at that time. So the introduction of the SLS 2.0T SIDI will subvert our traditional concept, implying the small displacement is becoming a general trend for luxury cars. However, such a long name ‘T SIDI’ may be not easy for promotion in China.

Turbocharged gasoline engine was introduced to China by Volkswagen. 10 years ago, a 5-valve 1.8T engine was mounted on Audi A6 (C5), Passat (B5) and Bora (A4). This engine without FSI gained more power like a V6, but didn’t cut much fuel consumption like a TSI. In 2007, the Magotan (Passat B6) hit the market with a 1.8TSI engine, but FAW-VW’s promotion was unsuccessful at first. People didn`t understand why the 1.8TSI with less displacement was more expensive than a 2.0L. As time went by, VW’s TSI lineup enlarged with better promotion, while GM, Ford and Mercedes introduced Turbo DI, Ecoboost and CGI engines for China. Small-displacement turbocharged direct-injection engine has been recognized more and more. Nowadays, TSI or something like it means technology, low-tax and low-carbon, rather than strangeness and cheating.

Interestingly, Mercedes E200CGI and E260CGI (share one 1.8L engine) try their best to cover up the reality of displacement with a misleading number, while VW began to use marks ‘TSI’ in different colors to distinguish different displacements. (Such tactics are used worldwide.) Perhaps more car owners can accept a small displacement, but they don’t want others know for the sake of their pride.