Saturn Astra may get a diesel option sometime after introduction
When the new Astra goes on sale at Saturn dealers this fall it will initially only have 1.8L gasoline engines available but it may not stay that way. A lot of the Astras on the road in Europe are equipped with diesel engines including a new 1.9L turbo-diesel. The new clean diesel from GM Europe could supplement the hybrid lineup in the Vue and Aura in coming model years.
The big problem they have to deal with is the $1,000 cost premium of a diesel compared to a gas engine. On the other hand the 37mpg could help pay for that especially as gas prices rapidly approach $3 and more per gallon. In addition, trunk space isn't lost to a battery pack, and complicated systems like regenerative braking aren't needed to achieve similar levels of efficiency.
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aileen 11:36AM (2/26/2008)
Is there any possibility of converting the Astra deisel to run on bio-deisel?
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Sam 2:47AM (3/28/2008)
Also take into account that the car lasts about 200,000 miles longer since it has a diesel.
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Chris M 7:06PM (4/08/2007)
Once the pollution controls are added on to meet the tough US standards (or even tougher California standards) the cost premium would likely be much more than $1,000.
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mirko 9:04AM (4/09/2007)
Where does the 37mpg figure come from? The Euro Astra comes with a choice of six diesels, the most powerful gets 43 mpg, the most efficient 49 mpg.
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eguidry 12:19AM (4/09/2007)
The *Euro* Astra comes with a choice of six diesels, the most powerful gets 43 mpg, the most efficient 49 mpg.
the key word is Euro in Brittan they use imperial gallons as opposed to us gallons. From Google "1 US gallon = 0.832673844 Imperial gallons" so ~47 imperial miles per gallon = 37 US miles per gallon
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Jimmy 1:03AM (4/09/2007)
Astra 1.9CDTi manual 5-door:
Combined Euro cycle:
5.8 l / 100km
48.7 miles per Imperial (UK) gallon
40.5 miles per US gallon
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Cody 4:17PM (4/09/2007)
I'll might wait on my purchase if there is any truth to this.
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Dave 8:29AM (4/09/2007)
$1000 is a whole lot cheaper than the cost of a hybrid system.
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rgseidl 8:34AM (4/09/2007)
@mirko:
- UK uses imperial gallons
- EU and US driving cycles are different. It would be interesting to know if that 37MPG US figure was based on the old or the new EPA test procedures.
Btw, the $1000 premium probably refers to the diesel engine alone. If so, ultra-strict US emissions regs will require as much again (at least) for the DPF and NOx aftertreatment.
A diesel will still save money in the long run because a diesel's greater efficiency overcompensates for the higher per-gallon price of diesel fuel in the US. However, if and when US consumers are given a choice of engine types for any given vehicle, I'd strongly recommend breaking out the pocket calculator to find out how quickly the diesel premium can be amortized. For a meaningful comparison, you'll have to include resale value, insurance, vehicle license fees, maintenance etc. in that calculation - not just fuel cost.
With US fuel taxes low compared to those in Europe, it might take a very large number of miles before a diesel breaks even on a car as small as the Astra. The payback period should be much shorter on larger, heavier vehicles, i.e. full-sized sedans, minivans, SUVs, large CUVs, pick-up trucks, delivery vans etc.
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Schmeltz 9:18AM (4/09/2007)
I would imagine that the diesel they speak of here would be very close in efficiency to the VW diesels. Those are already regarded as excellent in terms of efficiency and the prime choice if you are pursuing a car for longevity. I would welcome a diesel option with open arms if Saturn offers it in the U.S. Is there anyone out there reading this from Europe who has experience with these diesel engines spoken of here?
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mirko 9:41AM (4/09/2007)
The 43 and 49 mpg values are converted from the l/100 km values on the german Opel website for a manual 3-door. I know that imperial gallons are different. That's 49 mpg in US gallons.
About the respective driving cycles... The closest thing we could do would be comparing similar models' US and Euro mileage ratings.
One example: 2006 Jetta 1.9 TDI is rated at 38/46 mpg
The same model in Germany is rated at 6.7/4.5 l/100km - which translates to 35/52 mpg US, not Imperial.
37 mpg for a small hatchback just sounds wrong. I get that with the BMW 530d I have.
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mirko 10:04AM (4/09/2007)
Schmeltz, I had a 150hp 1.9 CTDI Astra wagon as a rental last year. It's one of the best 4 cylinder diesel engines on the market. Not as smooth as BMW's 4 cylinder, but definitely worlds better than VW's TDI.
It's a Fiat engine, like most of GMs diesels.
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Schmeltz 12:39PM (4/09/2007)
Mirko:
Thanks for your input. Lets keep our fingers crossed that the diesels come to the U.S. too.
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MikeW 4:52PM (4/09/2007)
How about a 5 speed automatic or 6 speed manual for the 1.8?
4 speed auto/5 speed manual is an insult.
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Mirko 6:47AM (4/10/2007)
The 1.8 comes with a 4 speed in Europe too. The 120hp CDTI however is available with a 6-speed automatic - and every astra diesel comes with a 6-speed manual as standard.
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Don 5:20PM (4/11/2007)
37 mpg from a 1.9-litre diesel?
No thanks.
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phoenexius 1:19PM (4/13/2007)
there probably won't be much premium on an EU diesel vs US diesel
the regulations in the EU state particulate filters are required in the coming years - if the auto manufacturers do their engineering right they are the same (M-B is a clear example of doing it wrong the first time with their non-50 state initial sale of E320 CDI)
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Sam Hill UK 5:51PM (8/31/2007)
The UK Astra 2006+ common rail diesels are 1.3 1248cc (89 bhp), 1.7 (100 bhp), 1.9 (120, 150 bhp). The 1.9 1910cc 120 bhp can be either auto or manual. 1.3 releases 130g CO2/km and gives 45-70 UK mpg, top speed 107 mph with a 0-60 in 13.2 sec. The 1.7 releases 135g CO2/km, gives 44-67 UK mpg, top speed 112 mph with a 0-60 in 11.7 sec. The 1.9 120 man (auto in brackets): 157 (189) g CO2/km gives 38-58 (29-52) UK mpg, top speed 121 (117) mph with 0-60 in 9.8 (10.8) sec. The 1.9 120 bhp Automatic is a 6 speed.
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Larry 6:20PM (9/12/2007)
Speaking purely of aesthetics, the Astra is a visually pleasing design and I would consider purchasing one in the future. A diesel option would make my decision easy - I would buy it.
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