Upcoming 2007 emissions laws affecting diesel engines have had engineers scrambling to make necessary changes to deliver performance figures
expected by the consumer while meeting the stringent environmental impact laws.
Ford announced its new Power Stroke diesel engine on Wednesday, and GM followed yesterday with the announcement of their 6.6 litre Duramax V8 turbo diesel unit.
Upgrades to the engine include a particulate filter system to help ensure the powerplant meets the standards which affect diesel engines manufactured starting in January 2007. The standards specify a 90 percent reduction in particulate matter and a 50 percent reduction in NOx.
Says Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Powertrain Diesel Engineering: "Maintaining power and torque leadership with the Duramax is important to
us because it's the benchmark that built the engine's class-leading reputation with our customers."
In GM's medium duty applications, the engine fitted to the Kodiak and Topkick models creates between 300 and 330 horsepower, with between 520 and 620 lb.-ft. of torque, depending on the application.
Final performance figures will be announced later in the year for the new Duramax turbo diesel powerplant in Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 HD models.
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| 6.6 litre Duramax V8 turbo diesel (Photo: General Motors) |
Ford announced its new Power Stroke diesel engine on Wednesday, and GM followed yesterday with the announcement of their 6.6 litre Duramax V8 turbo diesel unit.
Upgrades to the engine include a particulate filter system to help ensure the powerplant meets the standards which affect diesel engines manufactured starting in January 2007. The standards specify a 90 percent reduction in particulate matter and a 50 percent reduction in NOx.
Says Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Powertrain Diesel Engineering: "Maintaining power and torque leadership with the Duramax is important to
 |
| GM Executive Director Powertrain Diesel Engineering Charlie Freese (Photo: General Motors) |
In GM's medium duty applications, the engine fitted to the Kodiak and Topkick models creates between 300 and 330 horsepower, with between 520 and 620 lb.-ft. of torque, depending on the application.
Final performance figures will be announced later in the year for the new Duramax turbo diesel powerplant in Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 HD models.