Geneva Motor Show: Cadillac unveils new 2.9L V6 diesel for CTS
click above image to view high-res angles of GM's new 2.9L turbodiesel V6
General Motors has used the occasion of the 2007 Geneva Motor Show to announce a new powertrain for the European market. The 2.9L V6 turbocharged diesel engine will make its production debut in 2009 beneath the bonnet of the Cadillac CTS where it will produce 250 horsepower and a stout 406 ft-lbs. of torque, though GM hasn't released any fuel economy figures for the sedan just yet. The 2.9L diesel will be very versatile, able to be mounted in a longitudinal or tranverse layout in rear-wheel, front-wheel or all-wheel drive platforms. The motor features some high tech hardware to meet future emissions standards including advanced engine management software, piezo injectors, a variable geometry turbo and exhaust-gas aftertreatment technology to cut down on the nitrous oxide emissions.
GM says the new turbodiesel will be sold "mainly" in Europe, which we suppose leaves the door open for seeing this engine in the States one day, though likely not in the near future.
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE:
Cadillac to Debut GM's Powerful New V-6 Clean Diesel
- GM's first production application of innovative, closed-loop combustion technology
- Cadillac CTS adds engine to its portfolio in 2009
- Low emissions, high performance and excellent fuel economy
- 184 kW/250 hp, 550 Nm (406 lb.-ft.) torque, 2.9-liter displacement
- Compact design enables transverse and longitudinal installation
GENEVA – General Motors Corp. unveiled a new 2.9-liter V-6 turbo-diesel engine that features state-of-the-art injection and combustion technology for low emissions and high performance.
The new engine (184 kW/250 hp) will be sold mainly in Europe and makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18). Its first production application is scheduled for 2009 in the new Cadillac CTS.
"We expect the V-6 diesel to be highly competitive in the European luxury segment," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "With its excellent low-end torque and its high power output, it is a great fit with Cadillac's performance-oriented brand character."
The compact dual overhead cam, four-valve V-6 engine belongs to a new GM family of diesel engines, featuring an innovative closed-loop combustion control system designed to meet future emissions standards. The engine can be installed in a longitudinal or transverse layout and can be adapted to a wide range of two- or four-wheel-drive vehicles.
GM's development of the new engine is being coordinated under the leadership of GM Powertrain's European operations in Turin, Italy, in cooperation with VM Motori based in Cento, Italy . GM Powertrain will focus on the development of the clean combustion process, electronic engine control and exhaust-gas aftertreatment, as well as calibration and integration into GM vehicles. VM Motori will build the new unit at its plant in Cento, Italy, and is responsible for the mechanical aspects of the engine's design, development and bench testing.
"The V-6 diesel integrates leading technologies and will deliver outstanding performance, fuel economy and low emissions," said Roger Johansson, GM Powertrain Europe vice president.
The V-6 engine management system enables optimal fuel economy as well as reduced emissions and noise by using a recently developed combustion control technology. Key enablers of the system are high-speed, piezo-resistive cylinder pressure sensors that are integrated within the engine glow plugs. These specialized sensors acquire real-time data from the combustion process, enabling instantaneous fine-tuning of the fuel injection process. In the future, this clean combustion control technology will be introduced in other GM Powertrain diesel engines.
The high-pressure, common-rail system provides up to 2000 bar (29,000 psi) injection pressure. The injectors are quick-firing, piezo-electrically actuated, allowing up to eight injections per engine cycle. The aftertreatment system includes an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter that are close-coupled to the engine to achieve future emissions standards.
An electronically controlled variable geometry turbocharger generates boost pressure. The engine has a torque of 550 Nm (406 lb.-ft.) beginning at 2000 rpm, while providing effective fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The new, compact V-6 powerhouse features aluminum cylinder heads and a 60-degree bank angle, 83.0 mm bore and 90.4 mm stroke, which results in displacement of 2935 cubic centimeters. The engine block is made of stronger and lighter Compacted Graphite Iron (compared to lower-strength aluminum or heavier grey cast iron) to optimize engine packaging, weight, refinement and performance.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2/LS7? 2:56AM (3/06/2007)
"Cadillac CTS adds engine to its portfolio in 2009."
What the hell? Hopefully they at least mean 2009 model year.
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supercujo 3:42AM (3/06/2007)
I can't believe they are mounting the turbo in between the heads...
I realise that diesels aren't as finicky and are much simpler in construction than a petrol motor, but having all that heat sit in the V seems like a recipe for disaster.
But GM has many people, much smarter than I in the field of engine design, and they have surely tested it quite well. I will give them the benefit of the doubt on this... but I have my reservations.
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Phillip 4:04AM (3/06/2007)
#2
Many diesel truck engines have the turbocharger between the heads as well.
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TDIMeister 5:21AM (3/06/2007)
250 HP from 2.9L in a Diesel. That's 86 HP per liter or 1.4 HP per cubic inch -- Excellent! That means if this engine were to be scaled to 350 cu.in., it would be making almost 500 HP, or if scaled to the same 6.6L displacement of the Duramax, would be making almost 570 HP!
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RMc 7:19AM (3/06/2007)
Man, another reason why diesel needs to become more popular in America.
True about the issue with the heat from the turbo being place right in the V of the heads, but the least amount of turbo lags results from the least distance of piping.
Almost all modern cars have the turbo very close to the block due to packaging needs. Just check out the new 3.0 I6 turbo from BMW; those turbos are sitting right on the cylinder wall.
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Michael Karesh 7:24AM (3/06/2007)
Sounds like they did an excellent job with this one. I was afraid they were going to just buy a trucky unit off the shelf at VM Motori.
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DarkKnight67 7:52AM (3/06/2007)
If this is as good as it sounds, I can see them bringing it over and utilizing it in the same vehicles which now carry the 3.6 or 3.9 V6.
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Jit 7:51AM (3/06/2007)
GM hasn't designed nothing in this engine. All GM does is fit the engine into the cars best they can.
This engine is similiar design to the 2.8 in the Jeep Liberty CRD so is not likely to meet the strict laws of america unlike the mercedes 3.0ltr.
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66coronet 9:37AM (3/06/2007)
7. [GM hasn't designed nothing in this engine. All GM does is fit the engine into the cars best they can.
This engine is similiar design to the 2.8 in the Jeep Liberty CRD so is not likely to meet the strict laws of america unlike the mercedes 3.0ltr.
Posted at 7:51AM on Mar 6th 2007 by Jit]
Ok, I'm lost. How is the V-6 motor similar to the VM2.8L crd I-4? If you would have said it's similar to the VM3.0L crd V-6 60deg. Then I would agree. The GM version makes way more power and torque than the VM unit.
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Tal 8:25AM (3/06/2007)
Hope this has been thoroughly, thoroughly tested before being introduced. Hope GM is not depending on the the public to road test.
Memories of the GM "diesel" fiasco of the late 70's early 80's still linger.
Think diesel is the best alternative to lower fuel consumption and do wish GM the best. I would love to own one but it's going to have to prove it is worthy and this will take time.
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Guenther 8:27AM (3/06/2007)
#7- While this engine may be derived from the same family as the the 2.8L, there are some major differences. First- its a V6, not an I4. If the engine is alleged to meet E5 regs, it could be made to pass US regs as well.
This thing would be awesome in a Saturn Outlook.
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amp 8:57AM (3/06/2007)
As Clarkston would say, "400 torques? That's simply mad!"
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66coronet 9:11AM (3/06/2007)
This motor would be a good motor in a impala, savana & express & uplander vans, H3, canyon, acadia, tahoe, trailblazer & 1500 pickup also.
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thesawzall 9:48AM (3/06/2007)
Hopefully these won't have the cracking block problem that early '80's GM car diesels did. My dad had to swap our Olds 88's diesel to a 350 gas.
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White Goodman 1:11PM (3/06/2007)
The problem with diesel in America is still that only about 40% of all refueling stations have diesel available. And even fewer have ULSD available for the BlueTec engines. If you're driving into unknown territory, it's a bit of a crap shoot to know if the nearest gas station has diesel or not. That's not a situation that anyone wants to experience when the fuel needle is nearing the big E. I would say that when 75% or more of stations have diesel, more people would consider buying them and therefor more companies would consider offering diesel engines as an option.
It's also an issue of exposure. Since many people refill their cars at the same station time after time, if that station doesn't have diesel they won't even think about it as an option. Just like how fuel cell cars could be built today, but the infrastructure isn't there to support them.
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MikeW 12:06PM (3/06/2007)
Clarkson should say 'There are sensors in the glow plugs!'
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Daniel 2:51PM (3/06/2007)
Sounds like this will be a great engine. But again, all the good stuff goes to Europe and we Americans can eat dirt!
Pray for $5 per gallon gas so we will finally have some incentive to move to ultra high mileage cars then we can tell the folks in the middle east to pound sand.
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Mike 3:11PM (3/06/2007)
Question to diesel car owners in the US: Do you have trouble finding diesel fuel? Have you ever ran out of fuel while looking for a station that sells diesel?
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uncle john 4:54PM (3/06/2007)
18. Question to diesel car owners in the US: Do you have trouble finding diesel fuel? Have you ever ran out of fuel while looking for a station that sells diesel?
Never!!!! I can even shop for a good price if I want to, and I have a K3500 crew cab dually. All I can say is BRING IT HERE!!!!
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Martek 8:00PM (3/06/2007)
I have a VW Diesel and I rarely have trouble finding a station to fill-up at. You just have to be a little more careful on a road trip not to let the tank get too empty before deciding to get some fuel. Since diesels can go farther on a tank than the typical gas car, the slight inconvenience of finding diesel is offset by the extra range the car is capable of. I typically get 500-600 miles per tank in mixed driving and 700+ on the highway.
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