Ford and GM team up to save the light duty diesel V8 as the "PowerMax"
Just when it looked like all hope was lost for us diesel fans when it comes to light duty vehicles in the US market, our buddy Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com has the scoop on a plan to revive GM's 4.5-liter DuraMax. Several months back, Ford shelved plans to build a 4.4-liter diesel of its own design for the F-150 and more recently General Motors canceled its engine. The beleaguered Detroit automakers have now decided that there is still a market for such an engine even if it didn't make sense to build several different examples. Thus GM's innovative DuraMax will be renamed PowerMax (in honor of Ford's PowerStroke) and used by both companies in the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra and the F-150.
Since the Duramax was designed to fit in the same package size as the GM small-block, there had been a lot of speculation since its announcement that it could be used in cars like the Cadillac CTS and Pontiac G8 as well. GM's plans are still uncertain on that front given its near bankruptcy, but Ford is now expected to add the diesel to the new Taurus as an alternative to the EcoBoost V6. Continue reading after the jump.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
HAPPY APRIL FOOLS!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ronEbear 10:22AM (4/01/2009)
Expect more positive Diesel news as Diesel prices are dropping in line with regular gas.
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ronEbear 10:47AM (4/01/2009)
You are an idiot, good sir. You have been April Fooled. Or as we say in French "Poisson d`Avril!"
me 10:45AM (4/01/2009)
Its an April Fools joke !
You could never put a diesel like the 4.5L Duramax in the Taurus... the drivetrain wouldn't stand up.
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ltclloyd 10:49AM (4/01/2009)
hey guys..... While I would Love this to be true.
Happy April 1
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Roland 11:03AM (4/01/2009)
April fools!!!
Two competetors getting together this fast and to promote " that dirty, nasty, smelly, slow, heavy" perception of diesel motors?
We all know here on this blog the vastly greater and better benefits of light diesel but the general American public and powers to be at the Big Three consider it niche and unfeasable.
Very funny however: a heavy V8 in a FWD midsize!!!
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Mattias 11:43AM (4/01/2009)
Here in Europe they actually sell Fords with GM diesels. On all other 364 days a year. How does it come?
VM Motori was one of the largest independent Diesel engine manufacturers. They built the Diesel that powered the Dodge Dakota and they provided Diesels for Hyundai and Daewoo. The Ford Transit Diesel (RWD versions only) actually is based on a VM Motori design. And VM Motori is currently mostly owned by GM.
OK, recently GAZ bought some stake in VM, so its not just GM anymore.
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Mike!!ekiM 5:46PM (4/01/2009)
Some jokes, shouldn't be.
Secondly, there ought to be a 3.0 liter diesel out there so contractor's can save some Real Money on fuel bills.
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Michael Hippenhammer 2:23AM (4/02/2009)
#6 and #7 I agree with you. 4.5l engine in a mid size car is ridiculous. VW races their Toureg with a 2.5l turbodiesel in the Dakar rally and won this year and the Baja 500 and won that last year too and used only one tank of gas for the Baja 500. Build smart not big.
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