GM passenger car diesels coming to America?
In the latest Bob Lutz video released on the Fastlane Blog the other day, Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz talked about diesels and didn't seem to exited about the prospects. Toward the end of the video he did mention that some diesels will come to US cars, crossovers and trucks but offered no details. GM did introduce a new 2.9L V-6 diesel at the Geneva Motor Show and has said it wasn't coming to the US. That position may be changing now.
If GM does offer the V-6 it would likely be in premium models like Cadillac and maybe Buick. Since Saturn is now the effectively the US branch of Opel and has been largely Europeanized, it would also be a logical home for diesels, especially in the Outlook crossover which is pretty thirsty with its current gasoline 3.6L V-6.
GM will be showing a diesel variant of the E-Flex system in an Opel body shell at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and reportedly will also put the same powertrain in a Saturn Aura for the January Detroit Auto Show.
Update: After talking to a spokesman at General Motors, it appears that most of what Automotive News wrote and everyone else is repeating is pure conjecture. For the time being the 2.9L V-6 is a Europe only engine set to debut in the 2009 Cadillac CTS. There are currently no plans to bring this engine to the US market. Of course depending on what happens with regulations (both fuel economy and emissions) and market demand, plans can change. All work on the E-Flex architecture is being done on the Global Compact Car platform (currently known as Delta) and the Aura is built on the larger Epsilon mid-sized platform. With the Saturn/Opel tie-up a Saturn diesel E-Flex is not out the question, but if it happens it will be on something derived from the Astra.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TG 10:52AM (7/13/2007)
Sorry to rain on your diesel parade, but this is too little, too old and too late.
Who wants and old-fashioned mess of needlessly complex moving parts seals and hoses?
Ever looked closely at all of the moving parts in DC induction motor? = TG
Reply
MikeW 12:32PM (7/13/2007)
That 2.9 & 6L80 will be a nice powertrain in the CTS.
unless GM is going to offer a manual transmission also.
Reply
Phil L. 2:25PM (7/13/2007)
TG -
Agreed.
But tomorrow morning, I need to leave for a family reunion that's 850 miles away. I have three kids, all of whom are still in car safety seats (one with asthma/peanut allergy issues, so no airplane trips for us). No EV solutions on the horizon, either.
I'd love to find an EV that can handle 2 adults and 3 child car safety seats, even if it can't yet handle cross-country travel. It'd be really nice if a typical family could afford to purchase it. Is anyone even working on such a thing?
Meanwhile, I'm still hoping to find a small, affordable EV commuter for myself, but don't yet have realistic funding. The US Electricar conversion of a Geo Prizm that closed last night on eBay would be an ideal project, and it was even in my area (Curious? Item 250138779037). A very reasonable price, but unknown battery replacement costs, as well as documentation and support issues.
If EVs hope to thrive and make a real difference for the future, they need to help me get beyond scrounging eBay auctions for something that's in one piece that doesn't need too much work, and is within tow-it-home distance.
While I'm waiting for an EV I can see, drive and purchase, I'd love to have a clean, efficient diesel-powered minivan.
Reply
Joseph 4:58PM (7/13/2007)
"I'd love to find an EV that can handle 2 adults and 3 child car safety seats, even if it can't yet handle cross-country travel."
Well, you're in luck! The next car from Tesla Motors (White Star) is supposed to be able to have 3 child safety seats, as according to Elon Musk, the guys who has poured about 35 million into Tesla Motors.
Reply
1985 Gripen 3:10PM (7/13/2007)
Phil L: they have a name for people like you... realists. ;-)
It's true. For all the people screaming how great EVs theoretically can be, what's REALLY available on the market? All the solutions are either lame (three wheel golf cart things) or outrageously expensive. I would love to drive an EV too. My hopes are in the GM E-Flex platform. I'm hoping the diesel E-Flex they're going to show as an Opel at the Frankfurt Auto Show will come to the U.S. in production. I know, it's a diesel therefore must meet our emissions standards, but since the diesel "range extender" will basically be just a power generator I'm hoping it's small enough that its emissions meet 50-state emissions standards.
I could buy one of these turbodiesel E-Flex cars, fill it with B100 and be pretty happy until pure-EV (without "range extenders") vehicles get battery technology that can charge much faster. I see the E-Flex as the perfect "stopgap" measure until pure EVs mature more.
Reply
Bill 7:42AM (7/14/2007)
Electric motors are great, but current battery packs/associated electronics will cost you $75,000 (Altair's NanoSafe) or at least $25,000 (Tesla's)
It will be some time before pure EVs are anything but rich men's toys.
OTOH, any diesel engines currently made will get you at least 25% more fuel economy than gasoline.
This 2.9L is a good choice for small SUVs, minivans, and larger sedans.
Too bad GM's going to cede those potential sales to Chrysler and foreign automakers (Honda's 2.2 and 3.5 diesels are coming)
Reply
JamesWB 7:45AM (7/14/2007)
So when will this White Star be on the market and how much will it cost?
Reply
Sam Abuelsamid 8:47AM (7/14/2007)
The Tesla WhiteStar is due around 2009 and they are targeting a price starting around $55-60,000.
Reply
harry murphy 4:53PM (7/14/2007)
It may require a great leap of faith for some folks but GM knows exactly what it is doing and for which specific markets it wants to reach with passanger car diesels.
Don't be to suprised if Saturn and Cadillac become a franchise duette some day in the not to distant future. Pay even closer attention to the Saturn/Opel marrige as well.
In any event SATURN and CADILLAC will do an excellent job with diesel sales.
Reply
Randy 9:31PM (7/14/2007)
GM needs to get their butts in gear.
Reply
mike micklich 9:43PM (10/09/2007)
everything is so over powered thats the problem my diesel vw can go 135 mph the engines are just to powerful and the economy is getting worse not better in general vw diesel held 40 plus mpg for 25 years why not any better
Reply
Keith Blume 10:14AM (1/18/2008)
Electricity doesnt come from magic it comes from coal. EV's leave a carbon footprint that is hard to avoid. Buy used cars or buy diesels otherwise your part of the Challenge. Diesels are more suitable for Gas replacements because they WILL get 20 to 30% better economy in the SAME platform vehicle.
Reply