The Greatest 3-Cylinder Engines Ever Made

They might have tiny capacities, and sure, they're more akin to bike engines, but there have been some truly epic 3-cylinder, production powertrains over the years that deserve recognition...
The Greatest 3-Cylinder Engines Ever Made

1. Honda E07A

Featured in the most epic of Kei Cars - the RWD Honda Beat - this 656cc was a 90s Japanese legend
Featured in the most epic of Kei Cars - the RWD Honda Beat - this 656cc…

2. Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost

Winning countless awards on release, this turbocharged Ford three-pot was perfect for the Fiesta. It produces up to 140hp and feels as powerful as a 1.6.
Winning countless awards on release, this turbocharged Ford three-pot was…

3. Alfa Romeo 33 1.8 D

The turbodiesel powertrain in this little slice of Italy was a perfect break from the unreliable boxer petrol alternative
The turbodiesel powertrain in this little slice of Italy was a perfect…

4. Daihatsu Copen KF I3

Another Kei car great, the Daihatsu Copen featured a revvy little 659cc triple that produced an impressive 86bhp!
Another Kei car great, the Daihatsu Copen featured a revvy little 659cc…

6. Honda ‎S07A‎

Featured most prominently in the Honda S660, the S07A was placed in the middle of the Japanese sports car. Had it been sold in Europe, it would have made for a great MX-5 alternative
Featured most prominently in the Honda S660, the S07A was placed in the…

7. Suzuki F6A

Despite being a Suzuki engine, the 657cc unit was most famous for its mid-engined placement in the Mazda AZ-1. It was good for 63hp at 6500rpm and 63lb/ft at 4000rpm.
Despite being a Suzuki engine, the 657cc unit was most famous for its mid…

Have we missed any other great production three-cylinder engines out from our list? Comment below if you have any suggestions!

Also, click here for our list of the greatest 6-cylinder engines of all time!

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Comments

Joshua Lue

The ford 1.0 ecoboost is a cracking little engine. Works so well in the fiesta.

08/26/2016 - 18:29 |
24 | 4

Also sounds similar to a flat six

08/26/2016 - 18:49 |
10 | 10

i like it because it sounds like a bigger engine than it is and more importantly drives almost like the bigger zetec versions If not better

08/26/2016 - 21:44 |
2 | 0
Raregliscor1

m8
my 1-L Suzuki 3 cyl is good-ish..

08/26/2016 - 18:34 |
2 | 2

we have the same car dude, mine is an 09 tho, pretty good engine tbh, gets pretty good mpg and also pretty fast for what it is

08/26/2016 - 20:26 |
0 | 0

No

08/26/2016 - 20:27 |
0 | 0
Nissan 420sx

Bmw I8 engine?

08/26/2016 - 18:38 |
318 | 14

Tuned up version of the engine from a Mini Cooper (non “s”)

08/26/2016 - 19:00 |
76 | 8

I came to say this

08/26/2016 - 21:50 |
6 | 0

I was just going to say that

08/27/2016 - 19:51 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

the BMW i8’s 3cilinder turbo!

08/26/2016 - 18:38 |
6 | 4
Ali Mahfooz

Do bike engines count? Like the Triumph Rocket or the MV Agusta 3 cylinder engines. Those are great ones IMO.

08/26/2016 - 18:53 |
54 | 2

I thought the same thing! The engine from the Yamaha FZ-09 and Triumph triple engines are fantastic.

08/26/2016 - 19:03 |
30 | 0

Laverda 3C, Jota spec. A true beast.

08/26/2016 - 21:07 |
4 | 0

The 675 Daytona engine is damn near perfect.
0.675L and 123HP.

08/26/2016 - 21:35 |
6 | 0
Joe A-O

Toyota 1KR-FE? Economical, sounds good and only weighs 69kg

08/26/2016 - 19:00 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Triumph triples are awesome too!

08/26/2016 - 19:01 |
4 | 0
Ryan M

My car has VW’s 1.0 MPI 3 cylinder and its alright I guess.

08/26/2016 - 19:03 |
0 | 0
P1eased0nteatme

Renault 900cc TCe?

08/26/2016 - 19:15 |
2 | 2
Anonymous

Wheres the Aygo?😂

08/26/2016 - 19:36 |
0 | 0