It seems par for the course nowadays that restored classics need a massive engine under the hood – with 12, 10 or, failing that, at least 8 cylinders. But do they, really? Modern advancements in engine tech suggest that bigger isn’t better in many respects, especially when it also means heavier. Check out Top Gear’s own investigation into the topic, which features a trio of remarkable restomods.
The team managed to fit a Ford MST Escort MkI, a Kamm 912c from Hungary and an Aflaholics GTA-R from Italy into a single episode. All three cars have just four cylinders to work with, and none is the worse for that.
Starting with the American ride, it has a 2.0-liter unit upgraded with electronic injection and separate throttle housings. It revs up quickly to 9,000 RM and churns out 253 PS (250 hp / 186 kW). The car – fittingly nicknamed Red Rocket – weighs just 950 kilos (2,000 pounds).
The Alfa Romeo has a milder temper: despite its 2.3 liters of displacement, it makes 243 PS (240 hp / 179 kW) and has longer gear ratios. This makes it comfortable and predictable in a variety of driving scenarios.
Finally, the Kamm 912c – which is based on the four-cylinder version of the Porsche 912 – is barely less powerful than its more popular six-cylinder counterpart and weighs a whole centner (100 kilos, or 220 pounds) less. The owner says it is still a prototype and needs some work, but once finished it could be a remarkable performer.