How can one discover the full potentials of downsizing internal combustion engines? Mahle addressed this issue with a technology demonstrator, a 1.2-l three-cylinder spark-ignition engine, which the company presented to the public three years ago. However, the demonstrator engine was still somewhat young at the time and was unable to fulfil the ambitious targets. But now it can. In this article, Mahle describes how the three-cylinder engine has better full-load characteristics than a comparable engine with a displacement of 2.4 l. It achieves a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emission of more than 30 % in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), while maintaining the same power and performance characteristics.