GM's new diesel models for US

Diesels are the number one choice among new car buyers in Europe but the oil burners have been slow to take in the US despite their torque and fuel-economy advantages over regular petrol models. Americans are slowly waking up to the benefits of diesels and to capitalize on this GM is planning to introduce a range of its Opel diesel models to the US.
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gregsfc - 9/27/2007 8:11:49 PM

+1 Boost

This news is actually dated and the linked article is less specific that what I had previously read.

Cadillac CTS and Saturn Aura will be the models to get the diesel initially for the U.S. Year--2010. Engine 2.9 V-6 from VMM of Italy. GM has bought interest in VMM from Penske.

Horsepower around 250 and torque around 400 foot lbs (peak). Fuel economy expected to be around 35 mpg hwy (maybe a little less in the heavier Caddy). Compare that to the current Aura Hybrid and the diesel blows it away in every category. The Aura GreenLine Hybrid is listed at 35 mpg hwy, but comes in more like 31 in the realworld. It has 164 horsepower and about 150 lbs of torque. My wife has the Aura hybrid and you have to make the engine scream to get it to go. My diesel Jetta has only 100 horsepower but seems stronger with 1/3 less horsepower since it responds at low RPM. Imagine a 250 horsepower diesel with all that low-end torque. It will be a hybrid buster, and one can further offset petroleum use and greenhouse gases by using blends of biodiesel and/or renewable diesel fuels without modification and without loss in fuel economy.

Can't do that with any hybrids on the road today and flex-fuel vehicles lose fuel economy on already horrible efficiencies to begin with. The Dodge Ram FFV, for instance, is listed @ 9 mpg in the city running E85 (www.fueleconomy.gov--2007). The upcoming Dodge Ram diesel (4.2 V-6 engine supplied by Cummins) will certainly be a much smarter way to reduce petroleum consumption than burning ethanol at a rate of 9 mpg. The diesel will be powerful; fun to drive; alternative-fuel capable; and fuel economical.

The GM diesels will be fabulous. So will all the new upcoming diesels from Europe. The diesels coming to U.S. pickup trucks will be built and designed mostly in the U.S. They will be fabulous as well!