GM Plots Global Diesel Offensive & Holden Could Benefit

[JoeT]

General Motors Is Plotting A Diesel Offensive On
The Hitherto Compression-Ignition Shy US Market

Gautam Sharma
19 May 2006
www.carpoint.com.au

GM is armed with a pair of high-tech new powerplants -- and it's not inconceivable that these units could eventually be offered in our own Holden Commodore.

"We are developing right now two highly modern diesel motors that won't just fulfil the Euro-5 emission standards, but the more stringent Bin-5 regulations in the USA," a senior GM source told German journal Automobilwoche.

The car-making giant is reportedly readying an oil-burning 2.9-litre V6 and a 4.5-litre V8 that will use cutting-edge new technology dubbed Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), said to boost fuel economy by about 20 per cent and generate fewer polluting hydrocarbons.

No power and torque figures have been released, but outputs of 160kW/500Nm are not inconceivable for the turbo-diesel V6 (compared with 175kW/320Nm for the current Commodore's 3.6-litre petrol V6), while the 4.5-litre V8 could punch out 240kW/750Nm (versus 260kW/510Nm for the existing 6.0-litre petrol V8).

However, we must point out that these numbers are only our estimates for what the diesels will generate.

US sources suggest GM's diesel offensive will start in 2008, with the engines ultimately destined for a range of sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pick-ups and large sedans in all GM brands and all markets.

GM's new-found interest in diesel is largely driven by a new law (which took effect from January 1 this year) in the US that allows consumers who purchase some new diesel-powered cars, light trucks and SUVs to be eligible for up to $US3400 in tax credits based on the weight, fuel efficiency rating and emissions level of the vehicle.

A recent study by JD Power and Associates reported that diesel and hybrid vehicles are expected to garner 11 per cent of US vehicles sales by 2012 -- with the diesel market increasing from a 3 per cent market share in 2004 to 7.5 per cent.

According to RL Polk data, diesels have already seen 56 per cent market growth in the US over the past five years with the introduction of models such as the Jeep Liberty CRD, Mercedes E320 CDI, and TDI variants of the Volkswagen Touareg and Passat.

But what does it mean for us? Well, GM's local Holden subsidiary has expressed interest in adopting diesel technology for its upcoming VE Commodore, so it's not impossible that one or both of the new-age engines could be slotted under its snout in due course.

Holden boss Denny Mooney has already conceded that diesel technology is being trialled in the Commodore, although he admits that a production variant is "further down the track".

"We have a (diesel) prototype running around, but there are a lot of barriers to diesel right now," Mooney said recently. "Not every service station has diesel fuel. And there's the stigma associated with the smell. You know, if you get diesel fuel on you it's like a cologne, it stays on you.

"So you've got to overcome that stigma that a lot of consumers have on their mind -- that they're dirty, smelly -- which they aren't. Modern diesels are very clean, as most of us know, but the public doesn't necessarily see it that way."

It's widely believed a 162kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 built by Italy's VM Motori is the leading candidate for the VE Commodore, but the new US-sourced diesels may also figure in the equation.

Meanwhile, arch rival Ford is also evaluating diesel technology for its Territory SUV, which is currently handicapped by relatively high fuel consumption from its 4.0-litre petrol engine.

As previously reported by CarPoint, Ford Europe's Dagenham Diesel Centre in the UK recently unveiled a high-tech new 200kW/640Nm 3.6-litre turbo-diesel V8 to supplement the smaller 140kW/445Nm 2.7-litre turbo-diesel V6 that's already available here in the Land Rover Discovery 3 and Range Rover.

And either, or both, of these units could be candidates for the Territory.

Our analysis ['Who's Fueling Who?'] corroborates that buying a diesel only pays off in the long-term. In the case of a Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI Comfortline, you'll need to drive it for around 80,000km to recoup its price premium over its petrol counterpart (based on current fuel prices).

However, if and when fuel prices hit $2 per litre -- as is being tipped by analysts -- the payback time will be dramatically shortened.

[Cortazzo]

Hot!!!! I really want diesel GMs sold in the US.

[osv_alero]

I'll take one.

[jlt0x]

Very interesting article. A diesel 4.5L V8 with 553 lb-ft torque (750 N-m) would be great in any of GM's trucks. Maybe GM would be interested in dropping the 4.5L diesel in the next-gen Trailblazer or even the current Escalade. Many luxury European models have diesel variants that exude power and prestige...time to bring those philosophies to the US.

VW has the Phaeton & Touareg V10 TDI, with a bi-turbo unit that makes 750 N-m torque with low fuel consumption. Just a note for comparison. I seen the Touareg V10 in southern Maryland last year. It's a pretty slick, smooth, and quiet SUV that is unassuming in appearance but probably can't be touched performance-wise.

[cincygoblue]

GM needs to get these diesels to the US quicker than 2008. I hope that's MY2008 and not CY2008. I'm very interested in the V6, and I think if GM goes high-volume with these, the price premium for the diesel option wouldn't need to be so high, thereby making it more attractive.

And as far as diesels smelling bad and being noisy, I couldn't believe, when I was over there for a couple weeks, how un-smelly and un-noisy the diesels in Europe have become. And GM's huge Duramax diesels are almost so quiet you don't know they're diesels (as opposed to the Ford and Dodge). I haven't really been around the VWs or Liberty here in the US, but with the low-sulfur content, I REALLY expect Diesels to do well here.

Hopefully, GM can use it's size to scale-up production and bring costs down.

[Ming]

GM could really use a small diesel for the U.S. - just one for the Colorado / H3 trucks, at the very least, and then for cars later. We know GM has these engines worldwide, it just needs to adapt them for our market. It would be nice to see GM lead in this, and not wait until every other automaker has done so before joining in. The idea of GM putting diesels in large sedans for the U.S. market would be unique (sure to bring up comparisons to the Cadillac efforts) but I won't hold my breath for it in 2008.

[Havasavana]

Originally Posted by Ming

GM could really use a small diesel for the U.S. - just one for the Colorado / H3 trucks, at the very least, and then for cars later. We know GM has these engines worldwide, it just needs to adapt them for our market. It would be nice to see GM lead in this, and not wait until every other automaker has done so before joining in. The idea of GM putting diesels in large sedans for the U.S. market would be unique (sure to bring up comparisons to the Cadillac efforts) but I won't hold my breath for it in 2008.

Yes it certainly would be nice to see GM lead in this. I don't understand why the stuff isn't ready now. The reduction of sulfur in the fuel has been known for a long time, at least 2 years a AFAIK and had to be in the works before that. What's wrong with having some tricks in the bag ready to use if? The article mentions reservations such as acceptance and availability. This makes no sense to me at all. How many people are burning E85 and how widely available is it? Yet they're pushing that very hard. I hope this isn't another DoD fiasco where they blab about it to no end then Honda quietly puts it out. Glad to see though that GM now seems to have DoD (renamed) pretty much across the product line. Lets push diesel and DoD combined.

[cincygoblue]

Originally Posted by Havasavana

Lets push diesel and DoD combined.

Diesel and DoD in a Hybrid with a 6-speed Auto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[soloyosh]

Redo the minivans and put the diesel in please...

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by Cortazzo

Hot!!!! I really want diesel GMs sold in the US.

With these new hot hi-tech diesels, it could be a real possibility in several years time.

[Bravada]

Other details aside, how does the fuel get in in the third picture?

[cincygoblue]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Other details aside, how does the fuel get in in the third picture?

Didn't you read the article? It's a "cutting-edge new technology" called magic!

[01cavalier]

Nice! Get these engines out to both cars and trucks. STill nothing is mentioned of 4-cylinder diesels, that's what I would really love to see!

[Aerodynamix]

This great news! Too bad they didn't mention a 4 cyl diesel for the Delta & Epsilon cars. Maybe they're just going to cram that 2.9L V6 in there. Either way, a diesel's a diesel

[WishIhadatruck]

Bring 'em on. I would love a diesel. If they had sold a Passat diesel when I bought my 2001 GP that is what I would have bought. In 2000 we were in Germany and rented one and it was wonderful. Lots of torque, great mpg. We loved it. I hope GM brings them to the US, I will have one for sure when the time comes.