General Motors Corp. will introduce two new turbocharged four-cylinder engines -- one running on gasoline and the other using compressed natural gas -- over the next two years, AutoTech Daily reported.

The powerplants are part of GM’s strategy, and an overall trend in the industry, to use smaller turbocharged powerplants to boost fuel economy without sacrificing power.

GM announced the new engines last week at an advanced powertrain event for journalists in Italy.

Featuring turbochargers integrated into their exhaust manifolds, the new four-bangers are variants of existing GM engine families. One is a 1.6-liter CNG design that will be introduced next year in the Opel Zafira in Europe. The other is a 1.4-liter gasoline unit that will be launched globally in 2010.

The new turbo CNG powerplant, a variant of the 1.6-liter engine family that includes naturally aspirated gasoline and CNG versions, will generate an estimated 150 hp and about 155 foot-pounds of torque. The integrated intake manifold includes a gasoline and CNG fuel rail, an oil cooler and piston cooling.

GM already offers the naturally aspirated CNG engine in the Zafira. It notes that CNG engines, which typically produce 25 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than a comparable gasoline system, are becoming increasingly popular in Europe, with Italy and Germany leading the way.

The new 1.4-liter turbo is designed to produce 120 hp to 140 hp and torque values of 130 foot-pounds to 147 foot-pounds. GM says the engine will provide about an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to a higher displacement naturally aspirated engine with similar output and will be compliant with Euro 5 emission regulations. Features include full variable valve timing, thermal management, a flow-controlled oil pump and a reinforced crankshaft and connecting rod.

GM will build the 1.4-liter engine in Aspern, Austria. The 1.6-liter CNG Turbo will be produced in GM Powertrain’s facility in Szentgotthard, Hungary.