Originally Posted by
MajesticBlueNTO
the laws of physics don't cease to exist in a bigger engine of same cylinder count. nor do they cease to exist when comparing a 4 cylinder to a 6 or an 8 cylinder, or higher.
the 2.3L 4 cylinder has a bigger combustion chamber (bore and stroke) than the 1.7L 4 cylinder. that combustion chamber has to be filled with a certain air/fuel ratio. the bigger the combustion chamber, the more air, thus more fuel.
a bigger engine may be working less (depending on many factors such as gearing, weight, friction, aerodynamics, frontal area, the list goes on and on) but the fact remains that it needs to use gas to keep it going. why do you think modern 6 and 8 cylinders (especially the V8s) come with cylinder deactivation while cruising....because less combustion volume = less gas.