Could the Cadillac CTS get GM's new 4.5L diesel V8?
Ever since General Motors announced a new 2.9L turbodiesel V6 for the European-spec Cadillac CTS there has been speculation about whether it would ever be introduced in the U.S. market. Last December, Cadillac General Manager told ABG that the company was evaluating the new engine for U.S. market. That may or may not still be a possibility although GM definitely seems to be cool on diesel in the U.S. these days. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has always been quick to throw cold water on the idea because of cost. The media however, hates to let go of a story. The latest twist from Motor Trend revives the idea of a diesel CTS, which would seem a natural against the upcoming BMW 335d and 2010 Mercedes E-Class. Instead of the European V6 however, MT points at the 4.5L Duramax V8. We've speculated here about GM installing this engine in some of the larger cars like the Pontiac G8. The V8 was specifically designed to fit in the same packaging envelope as the traditional small block V8 so it could fit in the CTS. Since the new Ultra V8 program was killed early this year, the V8 diesel could be slotted in as a premium option between the V6 and the uber-performance CTS-V. Whether the mid-size luxury performance segment would go for the V8 is an open question. The V6 would seem a more likely choice, but the V8 is already being developed for the U.S. market. We'll just have to wait and see.
[Source: Motor Trend]
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