Four-cylinder cars like this Alpine A110 prove little engines don't have to be lame

Four-Cylinder Cars That Prove Little Engines Don’t Have to Be Lame

These four-cylinder cars prove that little engines can make big power and torque. Don't disregard the potential of a well built four-cylinder engine.

by Erik Sherman

Published on May 3, 2022 5:00 pm

2 min read

We’ve all heard the car-guy adage: “there’s no replacement for displacement!” Is that really the case, though? Smaller engines are turning out seriously admirable horsepower and torque numbers now, all while doing so efficiently. Maybe it is time to consider that some 4-cylinder cars on sale today prove that little engines don’t have to be lame.

Lotus Emira
Porsche 718 Cayman S
Ford Mustang EcoBoost
Audi S3
Alpine A110
Mercedes-Benz A45 S
Toyota Supra 2.0
Subaru BRZ
Honda Civic Si
Mercedes-Benz SL43

Lotus Emira might be an evolutionary step in sports car DNA

With a Mercedes-Benz AMG sourced engine tuned by Hethel engines, the baby Lotus looks formidable. The AMG powerplant will reportedly produce a respectable 360 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Of course, in typical Colin Chapman fashion, the Lotus Emira will be light too.

Is the Porsche 718 Cayman S fast?

Four-cylinder cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman prove little engines don't have to be lame — Porsche 718 Cayman | Martyn Lucy, Getty Images

Many petrol-heads consider the Cayman to be a baby 911, but that seems to limit to the little sports car. The 718 Cayman S is a fast, powerful four-cylinder car with Porsche performance pedigree. Porsche equipped the 718 Cayman S with a mid-rear-mounted turbo flat four-cylinder powerplant producing an enthusiastic 350 horsepower. Of course, if that doesn’t put a smile on your face, just get out and look at it.

Are Ford Mustang EcoBoost good cars?

What? A Ford Mustang on a list without the Coyota V8 pushing it? Yes, the performance credentials of the Ford Mustang don’t stop at the GT, Mach 1, or Shelby coupes. That isn’t really the case, considering Ford updated the S550 generation with not only a design refresh but also a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Buying a Ford Mustang EcoBoost today gets you a RWD muscle coupe (or convertible) with 330 horsepower.

The 2022 Audi S3 is a fast car with a four-cylinder engine and daily driver potential

Four-cylinder cars like this Audi S3 prove little engines don't have to be lame — Audi S3 | Sjoerd van der Wal, Getty Images

Audi’s eager little S3 is built on the A3 platform, with an extra dose of performance. The S3 has AWD and 306 horsepower making it a solid performance car. Additionally, the S3 has four doors, meaning it will serve consumers well as a passenger car or commuter.

How much does an Alpine A110 cost?

It might not be cheap, but the Alpine A110 delivers in character alone. The little French sports coupe packs a 252 horsepower four-cylinder engine. That might not seem like much, but the A110 has a curb weight of just 2,432 lbs.

These lean, mean four-cylinder machines change the mold

There might be no time like the present to try a different kind of performance car. With electrification and smaller, more efficient powerplants doing the work of much larger engines, buying a solid four-cylinder car seems prudent. The list doesn’t stop here, though, HotCars liked the Honda Civic Si, Toyota Supra 2.0, and Mercedes-Benz SL43 to name a few. Scroll down to read more about two fun four-cylinder cars: the 2022 Subaru BRZ and the 2022 Mazda MX-5.

Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).