Options for ubiquitous tiny turbos

A few years ago I had the pleasure of instructing a lad in a 1st gen Veloster Turbo with the little 1.6L cranked up to something like 250whp.  The torque on that thing was really quite impressive, and I while the Veloster might not be the ideal track car I came away with a new respect for the powerplant.  Fast forward a couple years and there are now a bunch of L15B7 powered Civic Si's showing up at Cars & Coffee, the owners of which are eager to talk about their little torque monster engines.

My thought is that while these engines are typical sold in higher-end and/or sport trim models, that's not always the case, and some of these are sneaking into normal non-boy-racer family cars.  Cars that might fly under the radar on the used market and allow one to pick up a nice little daily driver with a tuner friendly motor for cheap.  Example, the L15B7 is available in the decidely non-sporty Civic EX-T, although 2016 being the oldest models they're still not exactly cheap.

The previously mentioned Hyundai 1.6T is probably most affordably available in the 2013-ish Veloster, but it was also eventually available in the 2014 Kia Forte5 SX, a car which isn't exactly boy-racer but is still the top trim level.

What other manufacturers have tiny, fuel efficient 1.5/1.6L turbo engines and what overlooked cars might one find them in?

Ecoboost 1.6L from the Fiesta ST, that in similar configurations is in the Fusion and Escape.  Very similar engine hardware (identical I believe?) but when paired to a automatic and a much heavier vehicle, they aren't as noticed.

Edit: actually the Fusion 1.6L was available with a manual but was very low production and a short run:

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/07/want-a-ford-fusion-6-speed-manual-too-late/

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/10/barks-bites-the-car-you-want-to-buy-used-in-three-years-and-the-man-who-had-the-courage-to-buy-it-new/

You can get a Chevy Sonic with a 1.4 Turbo and a manual. The VW Jetta also has a small turbo gas motor option.

There is a Volvo 2.5 liter twin turbo

The fiesta could also be had with a 1.0 ecoboost. I owned one for a while and really wasn't that impressed. 

The dodge darts got some 1.4L turbo engines too.

I don't know anything specific but i've seen a few at autocross events.

There is also the ford 1.5L turbos. The VW 1.4L and 1.8L turbo engine. Pretty much all of the manufacturers except Toyota and Subaru have a small turbo option. 

If you are looking for a car to tune, A VW golf with the 1.8L is a great cheaper option given how much is in common with the GTI. 

asphalt_gundam said:

The dodge darts got some 1.4L turbo engines too.

I don't know anything specific but i've seen a few at autocross events.

Do not forget the Fiat 500 Abarth that donated that engine to the Darts.  160hp may not sound like much, but when paired with it's light weight, makes for a rabid little chihuahua of a car.

I think some of the newer Golfs have the 1.4 turbo as well. Nice little motor.

mad_machine (Forum Supporter) said:

asphalt_gundam said:

The dodge darts got some 1.4L turbo engines too.

I don't know anything specific but i've seen a few at autocross events.

Do not forget the Fiat 500 Abarth that donated that engine to the Darts.  160hp may not sound like much, but when paired with it's light weight, makes for a rabid little chihuahua of a car.

The same motor is present in the Fiata (Fiat 124) but it sounds like the integration is not as well done as the 500 Abarth.

Audi 2.7 biturbos too.

The Fiesta ST has a pretty reasonably big turbo upgrade that gets them close to 300 whl. They are good stun in stock form so have to imagine big turbo would be pretty sleepy for a daily.

That 1.6t Hyundai also ended up in the Elantra sport and the hatch version. 

This thread is a huge disappointment. I was expecting turbos that would work well on 125-250cc scooters, not engines with more displacent than the most powerful F1 powerplants.

In reply to Cactus :

What, were you looking for this? 

VZ21 on a go-kart