GM unveils high-output direct injection V6
Amidst the "19 new engines" announcement from General Motors Thursday was a brand-new engine of particular significance for the power-hungry (and aren't we all?): a 3.6 liter all-aluminum V6 with direct injection and variable valve timing. The new V6 is promised for the 2008 model year, with a launch vehicle "to be announced." Destined to be GM's highest specific output non-turbo engine, the new V6 sounds like a natural for the V6 versions of the new Camaro. The new engine promises a 15 percent boost in horsepower over GM's current V6 powerplants, accompanied by an 8 percent increase in torque. Lower emissions and better fuel economy accompany the power boost.
Features of the high-tech V6 include:
- Aluminum engine block and cylinder heads
- Dual overhead cams with four valves per cylinder and silent chain primary drive
- High-pressure, engine-driven fuel pump
- Advanced multi-outlet fuel injectors developed to withstand high pressure and heat
- Stainless steel, variable pressure fuel rail
- Four-cam phasing (VVT – see description below)
- 11.3:1 compression ratio
- Aluminum pistons with floating wrist pins and oil squirters
- Polymer coated piston skirts
- Forged steel crankshaft
- Sinter-forged connecting rods
- Structural cast-aluminum oil pan with steel baffles
- Electronic throttle control with integrated cruise control
- Coil-on-plug ignition
- Advanced direct injection capable engine control module (ECM)
[Source: GM]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DJ 10:18AM (5/19/2006)
It's going in the revised CTS.
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DJ 10:20AM (5/19/2006)
It's going in the revised Cadillac CTS. Hmmm, 15% more HP will give it 300+ over the current 3.6 and put it at the top of the class.
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Doogs 10:24AM (5/19/2006)
The optimist in me wants to congratulate GM. They have some good engines at the higher end...nice to see something that can compete in the middle of the market.
The cynic in me, however, wonders how this engine will perform paired to a four-speed auto.
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DJ 10:26AM (5/19/2006)
It's headed for the 2008 Cadillac CTS. With that 15% bump in HP, it's gonna be packing over 300HP, which will put it at the top of the class.
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Steve 10:32AM (5/19/2006)
Congratulations, GM, for finally making what sounds like a nice modern engine. Even ahead of the competition in some respects. Wow, nice job.
I'm with Doogs, though. I really hope they resist the urge to pair this nice engine with ridiculously outdated technology and cheap interiors like they seem to have a knack for doing. And please, GM, are you listening? Don't just reserve the decent engineering for the top of the line cars. Just because everyone can't afford really expensive cars, doesn't mean they want to settle for cheap and crappy cars. It's possible to do inexpensive without making it cheap. Mazda a good example?
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DJ 10:34AM (5/19/2006)
By the #1, you must have missed the previous story regarding GM's switch to 6-speed transmissions. This engine with that tranny will be best in class.
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Ken 10:34AM (5/19/2006)
Any chance we would see this in say a Saturn Outlook? It's currently slated for the existing 3.6L at ~275hp. I am likely going to buy one, but would love to have one of these new engines it in producing more power AND better mileage.
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Phillip 10:36AM (5/19/2006)
Welcome to the 21st Century. I'm not praising GM for this one. What's the big deal? Toyota, Honda, Nissan, FORD and CHRYSLER have been building engines like this for years now. You can't possibly convince me that GM is making some remarkable new engine or offering some never before provided technology. I'm glad they finally woke up and climbed out of the stone age.
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Peter L. 10:42AM (5/19/2006)
"15 percent boost in horsepower over GM's current V6 powerplants"
It doesn't specify which V6 powerplants, what if its a 15% improvement over the 3.4 V6 in the Equinox? :)
But that does sound like a nice engine, hopefully they'll make it available in their mid-size cars and not just their entry-level luxury and large cars...
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AC Brown 10:44AM (5/19/2006)
Phillip is a loser, it's that simple.
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MikeW 10:46AM (5/19/2006)
300hp will not be class leading, far from it considering that it is 3.6 liters.
VQ35DEK(50?)
2gr-fse
Why 2008 MY? Why not 2007?
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Michael G 10:53AM (5/19/2006)
How is Phillip a loser? He is just calling it like it is. GM is just finally getting with the program. Other car companies including American ones like Ford have been making V6 engines like this for years.
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DJ 10:54AM (5/19/2006)
It amazes me how ignorant and biased so many so-called auto enthusiasts can be. GM has been offering a 255-260HP, 24V 3.6L engine with VVT for a few years now, mated to a 5-speed auto or 6-speed manual. That's the same as the offerings from BMW, MB, and Audi, and slightly better than recent offerings from DCX and Lexus. Yet they get ZERO respect. The new engine/tranny combo will have NO match among the others listed and they'll still get no respect.
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Redman 10:59AM (5/19/2006)
You guys that rag on the GM interiors need to go test drive a new Tahoe or Buick Lucerne. GM has made the turn and now "gets it" with respect to interiors.
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Mean MutherTrucker 11:01AM (5/19/2006)
DJ, you are exactly right.
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Phillip 11:03AM (5/19/2006)
What is that engine in DJ? What are they're 4 cylinders doing? I'm not looking for them to compete with BMW, MB and Audi. I'm looking for them to build intellegent and affordable 4 and 6 cylinders for the masses. What good is technology if you don't bring it to the masses. Again... Toyota, Honda, Nissan, FORD, and CHRYSLER have been offering these engines for years now in afordable cars. Anyone can make a high output engine. Few can make it reasonable and affordable.
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Michael Karesh 11:12AM (5/19/2006)
I think that the only company that offered a DI engine in the U.S. before 2005 MY was Isuzu. Lot of good it did them. The only volume DI engines I'm aware of in the U.S. are from VW/Audi and Toyota (new V6).
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Tim Russell 11:12AM (5/19/2006)
DJ I'm not bashing your or GM here but best in class? Just looking at US auto makers Ford has the 6 speed auto now and if you weren't asleep last month a 3.5L that compares very well to others in the market place. This combo will be on the market before this GM engine.
I'd say that every month you'll get a different "best in class" as each automaker in the world inovates.
Please take note that while there are other 3.5 & 3.6 L engines that make more power they require 93 Octane. Ford and GM's engines in this range run on regular.
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Gary 11:14AM (5/19/2006)
Quote Phillip "What's the big deal? Toyota, Honda, Nissan, FORD and CHRYSLER have been building engines like this for years now. You can't possibly convince me that GM is making some remarkable new engine or offering some never before provided technology."
That's not exactly a true statement. While many OEM have employed VVT, very few have used direct-injection. And regarding you comment on 4-cylinder engines, for the most part GM makes large cars. GM make an "good" engine in the Ecotech. However, with direct-injection and a turbo, the 260hp Ecotech will be a world-class engine.
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Scott 11:16AM (5/19/2006)
I doubt this engine would go in a Camaro at all, far from it. This is an expensive engine, similar to the Lexus DI 3.5L V6 and other makes DI V6's. It is not going to go in the base model Camaro, nor will it be the top engine in any Camaro, that would be ponycar suicide. The Camaro will have a cheap V6 option with the higher end V8 model as the hp-leader, just like the Mustang. This engine is clearly meant for Cadillac (who already has the high-feature V6) or maybe Saab or Buick. Direct injection isn't in any mainstream vehicles yet.
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