Small but Mighty: Check Out Some of the Smallest Car Engines in the World if You Want to Become a Mechanic
Smaller engines tend to be cheaper to drive and more fuel efficient. In an era where we are all trying to be more environmentally conscious, it makes sense to shift the focus and take a look at some of the world’s tiniest engines.
Read on to discover some of the smallest engines in the world, and a few that you might see in the auto repair shop during your career!
The Peel P50 Is the Smallest Production Car in the World
Let’s start with the smallest of the small. The Peel P50 was named the smallest production car in the world by the Guinness Book of Records in 2010. This tiny but powerful car features a miniature 49 cc single-cylinder engine. Forget taking passengers, this car is a one-seat wonder. Built on the Isle of Man in the mid-1960s, the Peel P50 was designed to be a commuter car. It has no reverse gear, and instead needs to be dragged backwards using a handle on the back.
Later models added a slightly larger 125cc four-stroke engine and electric motor, and the Peel P50 can now whizz along at a max speed of 88 km/h. If you become a mechanic, you may have the opportunity to work on unusual vehicles like this!
Lightweight Sports Cars and Careers in the Auto Industry
British automaker Caterham is known for making lightweight sports cars that are as speedy as they are small. The Caterham Seven 160 is no exception. The Seven 160 was first launched in the 1970s and features—you guessed it—a small but powerful 660 cc three-cylinder engine. With a few decades of production under its belt, these cars may be something that you’ll see at some point in your auto career. What will you want to know? The engine weighs just 490 kg and can generate 80 bhp and 79 ft-lbs of peak torque, enabling the car to reach a max speed of 162 km/h.
A Nano Car with a Nano Price Tag
Now moving into the 21st century, the Tata Nano has a tiny engine and an equally tiny price tag. Its retail price was just $2,500 when it was first introduced to the market in 2008. Those that are interested in careers in the auto industry might recognize that this car was designed to strike the balance between motorcycle and car. The makers intended it to be an alternative for those who wanted the best of both worlds!
The Tata Nano has a 624 cc two-cylinder engine, which is situated in the rear of the car. It can generate 37 bhp and 37 ft-lbs of torque to reach a max speed of 105 km/h.
The Fiat 500 Twin Air Is a City Car for Small Parking Spaces
Last but not least, the Fiat 500 Twin Air is perfect for weaving through traffic. The Twin Air has a small 875 cc two-cylinder engine that can hit a max speed of 172 km/h. This car has no problem accelerating, either. The deceptively small engine can generate 84 bhp and 107 ft-lbs of torque and accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in just 11 seconds.
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