Types of 3 Cylinder Cars

Most three-cylinder cars come in compact hatchback styles.

While six- and eight-cylinder engines remain common in America and many four-cylinders populate Europe and Asia, some automakers offer a selection of cars with small three-cylinder engines. Becoming more viable as fuel prices and environmental concerns increased in the early 21st century, the engines of these city cars feature higher efficiency and smaller carbon footprints than their many-cylindered brethren.

Smart ForTwo

In 2008, the Smart company brought its Smart ForTwo model to the United States. As its name suggests, this sub-compact car's diminutive proportions host only two people. Engineered by Mercedes-Benz, the Smart ForTwo Pure Coupe (the base model) runs on a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine and a five-speed automated manual transmission. Housed in a body length of just 106.1 inches, the Smart ForTwo's three-cylinder packs 70 horsepower, offering a maximum speed of 90 miles per hour. According to Smart's website, this aluminum fuel-injected engine comes in at 61 cubic inches, with its three cylinders arranged in line. The Smart ForTwo gets about 33 miles per gallon in the city and up to 41 on the highway. This same three-cylinder engine powers the Smart's Passion Coupe, Passion Cabriolet, BRABUS Coupe and BRABUS Cabriolet--all of which sport two doors and a hatchback. Other Smart features include four airbags, Tridion safety cell design, and a 95 percent recyclable construction.

Toyota Aygo

From Toyota of Europe, the Aygo (pronounced "I go") is a compact three-to-five door hatchback car designed for city driving. According to Toyota's website, the 2009 Aygo's 1.0 VVT-i Five-Speed MultiMode and 1.0 VVT-i Five-Speed Manual engines both feature three in-line cylinders (while four cylinders power the optional 1.4 D Five-Speed Manual diesel engine). Both of these engines feature 12-valve DOHC VVT-i chain drive and electronic fuel injection, and both reach a top speed of about 97 miles per hour. According to Green Car Site, the Aygo gets about 61.4 miles to the gallon on average. Aygo, Aygo+ and Aygo Red models offer equipment such as hood and dash silencers, anti-lock brakes, front airbags and a crash-resistant body structure.

Mitsubishi Colt

Automaker Mitsubishi Motors UK presents a three-cylinder "supermini," the Mitsubishi Colt. The 2009 three-door and five-door hatchback models offered in Europe feature a 1.1 CZ1 Manual engine option. According to the company's UK website, the CZ1 runs on a three-cylinder 12-valve DOHC platform. This five-speed engine reaches top speeds of 102.5 miles per hour and gets up to 61.4 miles per gallon (when running in Extra urban mode). Other features of the efficient and eco-friendly Colt CZ1 include anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags and a gear change indicator designed to increase maximum fuel efficiency when changing gears.

References

• Smart USA
• Toyota Europe: Aygo
• Green Car Site: Toyota Aygo Petrol and Diesel
• Mitsubishi Motors UK: Mitsubishi Colt