Diesel: possibly the next big thing in fuel-efficient engines and environmental responsibility. More than a few carmakers have announced plans to create green diesel engines which will optionally power their vehicles in the future.GM confirmed recently that it will use the fuel-saving diesel engine in U.S. passenger cars, crossovers and light-duty trucks in coming years. The news came during a video blog by Vice Chairman Bob Lutz on GM's Website.GM is expected to show a diesel engine at auto shows as early as this fall, fitted to an Opel Vectra and a Saturn Aura, sources say.
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| 2009 2.9L V6 Turbo-Diesel |
"It'll end up in a Cadillac, and there will be a front-wheel drive version of the engine in the 2009 or 2010 calendar year," says a source familiar with the program. "It's an Epsilon (mid-sized car) based product." Bob Lutz says "There's a lot of hype on diesels right now. It's not going to be a 50-state solution. It's going to be minus California and minus what other states adopt California standards."He has said the technology will allow the carmaker to reduce its fuel consumption, and also mentioned a diesel V6 engine for passenger cars, crossovers, and light trucks. At least two diesel engines are in the works at GM. There's a 4.5-liter V8 due in 2010 for use in pickups and SUVs. A 2.9-liter V-6, co-developed with Italy's VM Motori S.p.A is also said to be lined up for a European launch in the 2009 Cadillac CTS, which will later appear in the USA.
photo: General Motors