Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
This I4 is still pumping out more than the initial Cologne V6 in the heavier Gen1 Explorers.
The difference is that max torque for this I4 engine is 190 ft-lbs and it's not reached until 4,400 rpm. The 4.0 Cologne V6 had 225 ft-lbs of torque which was available at 2,400 rpm. Very different torque curves.
Also, a gen1 Explorer 4WD was actually over 100 lbs lighter than this Acadia.
Ok, granted the torque is less low (especially lowdown).... but that old Cologne would hit a rev limiter at 4,500ish RPM and really lose power after 3,800 or 4,000 (Wife had a 94 and a 98 Cologne powered Explorer). Yeah, it had more at a lower engine speed but you would run out of power within a 1,500-2,000. The I4 hit power at 4,400 but can maintain that to nearly 7,000. Runs out of puff at around 6,500. It is a trade-off. I keep coming up with the AWD 2.5 version at being about 4000lbs and the V6 Explorer at 4,100lbs.
The HP gain should help of-set that a bit on the highway. Yes, it will have to rev the engine... and you will not be tripping in power. It will not pull in low-revs. It just drives differently and you can't really lug it like other larger displacement vehicles. Kinda odd to think of the 2.5 Acadia as a momentum vehicle... could be that
Still, it really is not "underpowered". The V6 is more "over-powered". Dang, it's 1/4 mile time is about that of my MR2. You just have to drive I4s like the Italians... thrash it until the valves start dancing on top of the hood.
Yeah, 22mpg is just BAD. My 3,500 Outback ([censored] 2.5) can atleast pull low 33s highway and mid 20s around town. Granted, it is 500lbs lighter.
Now, lets be honest about what this vehicle really is: a minivan. Compare that with old Caravans and the like and all of a sudden that 200hp/190lbs makes a lot of sense. No one is towing of dragging at lights in these vehicles. So they will be slow, no big deal. If it does 0-60 in 10 seconds, and a 1/4 in eventually...that is plenty. Momma does not want to spill her kids Cheerios.