GM and Diesel: New Duramax 4.5L V8; 310 BHP, 520 LB-FT; Same Size as Small Blocks

[YSSMAN]

GM to get first new "Clean Diesel" in 2009.

...Freaking sweet. A 250 BHP 2.9L V6 should work out well, particularly when its debut will be done in the Cadillac CTS. I'd be more apt to buying the engine in the Saturn Aura XR or Malibu LTZ, which chances are it will make it in, but it has yet to be announced. On the same token, we'll probably see it in the Antra/VUE as well, and that would be an interesting alternative to their "hybrid" model as well.


Now we just need a new diesel I4 for the American market, and then I will be very happy indeed...

 

[Danny]

Has no-one thought to ship over the smaller diesels we're flooded with over here?

 

[Jim Prower]

oh, yes, they've thought of it, but the Californians and their emissions laws prohibit it.

 

[harrytuttle]

oh, yes, they've thought of it, but the Californians and their emissions laws prohibit it.

Really? I thought the smaller, modern 4-cylinder td's from Audi & BMW were quite clean. I suppose not....

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Me too... either way, this was a surprise to hear about. A welcome one, this sounds like quite an engine. I wonder if GM will actually get it to sound like something other than, well, a diesel. It's quite a potent thing in it's class 👍

 

[YSSMAN]

^ Considering that it is putting down about the same amount of power as the current LY7 DOHC VVT V6, I'd expect the performance of the Diesel CTS, and generally any other product that would use the engine, to perform similar to the given model with that LY7 V6. I'm just hoping they put it in "normal" cars at some point, as it should add some more credibility to the GM portfolio.

---

Has no-one thought to ship over the smaller diesels we're flooded with over here?

As stated before, several states have basically illegalized those engines based on their emissions. CARB later pushed those mandated pollution levels onto the Federal Government, and with TIER-2 emissions standards, all new diesel equipment had to have an outrageously low CO2 and NOX level at the pipe. This completely shut-out some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles sold in the United States, and completely screwed companies like Volkswagen out of a lot of money. This is why we saw the creation and proliferation of BluTec and the other "clean diesels," just so the various companies could sell their cars in America.

...So to answer your question, no, they can't be sold here... Yet. Pretty much every major automaker is converting the majority of their diesel line to the "clean diesel" technology mandated by the Feds for later sale in America. The DCX BluTecs were the first to pass, and then their spin-off technologies in VAG products should be second. GM has pushed a lot of development costs towards diesels for America in the past two years or so, however, they are one of the few American automotive companies to be doing so. Ford and the Chrysler arm of DCX have shared no plans to dive head-on into the Diesel world, and it is rather sad.

 

[Vonie]

Hell yes, a CTS Diesel sounds awesome.

I'd be more apt to buying the engine in the Saturn Aura XR or Malibu LTZ, which chances are it will make it in, but it has yet to be announced.

Would you really want all that 400 and whatever lb-ft through the front wheels?

 

[YSSMAN]

Would you really want all that 400 and whatever lb-ft through the front wheels?

Well, probably not, but it is a neat idea, no? Maybe they would finally get around to doing an AWD version after all...

IDEA TIME!

Diesel + Pontiac G8 = Awesome RWD diesel performance car on the cheap!

 

[Jim Prower]

Diesel + Pontiac G8 = Awesome RWD diesel performance car on the cheap!

And, with a turbo, you could tune it to high hell. Imagine, leaving a Supra in your exhaust smoke...

 

[Jay]

I am always amused at the small places they stuff turbochargers in these days.

Well, probably not, but it is a neat idea, no? Maybe they would finally get around to doing an AWD version after all...

IDEA TIME!

Diesel + Pontiac G8 = Awesome RWD diesel performance car on the cheap!

Holden are looking into the Diesel market for Zeta, so maybe.

in your exhaust smoke...

I love watching high tuned diesels for that very reason.

 

[YSSMAN]

Holden are looking into the Diesel market for Zeta, so maybe.

I'd be willing to bet that they do it. They were talking about it in America as though it was a certainty with the Impala (based on the Commodore), and a distinct possibility with the G8 (carbon-copy Commodore). Although I believe most of the talk was focused on a new sub-5.0L diesel V8 that would pack somewhere in the neighborhood of 360 BHP and around 500 or so lb-ft of torque.

It would certainly be enough to be a rational alternative to a "true" gasoline-powered V8, and with 35-40 MPG a reasonable figure for highway fuel economy, it adds up for a very intriguing idea.

...But even then, I'd still take the V6. Diesel power has a lot of the answers we are looking for in America when it comes to our thirst for power and our demands for fuel economy. Hybrids are too boring, and nobody wants to be stuck with a tiny 1.5L I4. So why not go diesel?

 

[YSSMAN]

GM's New Truck Diesel Impresses:

Mark your calendars, because we're calling today a watershed moment for the advancement of diesel's acceptance in the U.S. General Motors has just announced a new 4.5L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel powerplant it plans to use in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups, as well as the HUMMER H2. The new oil burner is expected to produce at least 310 horsepower and 520 ft-lbs. of torque. It features dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, a variable-vane turbocharger and aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding that helps keep the overall package small enough to fit in the same space as the automaker's small-block gas V8s.

That's right, just imagine the possibilities. Wherever GM uses a small-block V8 gas engine, it could potentially use the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel. In a few years we could be driving diesel Impalas, diesel Camaros, maybe even a diesel Corvette! To quote GM's press release, the engine's small size gives it "the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand." Indeed.

GM estimates that the engine will improve fuel efficiency by 25%, reduce CO2 emissions by 13% and decrease particulate and NOx emissions by at least 90% in its GMT900 pickups and the HUMMER H2. Whoever said the HUMMER H2 was on its way out will likely be proven incorrect after this engine debuts. Scheduled to be built at the GM Tonawanda engine plant outside Buffalo, NY, the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel will be 50-state emissions compliant and meet 2010 diesel emissions standards, as well. GM claims its new diesel will also have NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels approaching those of today's current gas V8s, though we'll have to wait and see if that wish comes true. That wait should end in a couple of years, as the automaker states the engine will be available in Silverado, Sierra and H2 models built after 2009.

UPDATE: Pickuptruck.com's Mike Levine has learned from GM that despite sharing its name with the older 6.6L Duramax diesel that was developed in partnership with Isuzu, the new 4.5L Duramax was developed completely in-house by GM.

GM did the right thing by making the diesel engine small enough to fit in small-block spaces. If they can squeeze it into the Zeta, Sigma, and Alpha cars, it is a HUGE step forward for the company in terms of what they need to get right in order to not only meet EPA mileage tests, but to rub their effiency in the eye of anyone without a given diesel program.

...And with a V8, hopefully comes a V6, and eventually an I4 as well...

 

[SlipZtrEm]

How has there been no responses to this?

Personally, I think it's great news, more high-tech, competitively-powered diesels is always good. But hey YSS, where'd you get the 350hp number? .

 

[YSSMAN]

Ooops, its definitely 310 BHP, isn't it?

...My bad...

Still, its a good amount of BHP and Torque for a diesel that size, and better yet, rivals several larger-displacement V8 petrol engines GM has in it's North American lineup.

 

[Philly]

Sweet. This would be an awesome engine to see in some of GM's cars. Some of those cars could fly with this under the hood. I'm sure it will also work beautifully in the Silverado ect. The Hummer H2 might not be so much of a moving chicane with this engine involved. This could be a bad thing, as that would mean the thing isn't going away soon.

I hope GM continues to expand their diesel lineup. They do seem very appropriate for America, tire-smoking torque for fun at stoplights and great fuel efficiency once you get moving. The fact that diesel is currently about $.30 cheaper per gallon than gas is another bonus. Making a diesel option or two available for every vehicle GM makes will definitly be a very wise move.

 

[Eric.]

How has there been no responses to this?

Personally, I think it's great news, more high-tech, competitively-powered diesels is always good. But hey YSS, where'd you get the 350hp number? .

From his 3" straight exhaust and Powerchip?

 

[YSSMAN]

...Or the propane injection...

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The GMI boys keep thinking that they're going to stick this engine in everything that can take it. I don't know if we'll see a diesel Camaro or Corvette, but a diesel Impala or G8 seems likely.

Quite frankly, its the only way that we'll be able to meet these predicted EPA requirements, because if the '08 Jetta TDI is any indication (40 city/60 highway), diesel models of the big cars could pull some impressive numbers.

 

[L8 Apex]

Very nice...wonder if it could be modified to work with the two-mode hybrid setup being developed for the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade? Then you could have your full-size SUV cake and eat it too!
Also, I hope they sell it as a crate motor, as the 6.6L version is waaay to porky for most car applications.

 

[Tulok]

sounds cool, diesels are a good way out of gas lol...
I hate it when people talk about how Chevys have their stupid perks, and then mention if you pull the key out too fast your car could stay on. And then GM decides to come out with this awesome engine, and is actually trying to meet american standards, when the "good companies" with cars that wont stay on, and coming out with butt ugly chromemobiles... Maybe my mom could swa this engine into her V8 truck...