http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/gm-announces-clean-d...s-and-the-hummer-h2/



Mark your calendars, because we're calling today a watershed moment for the advancement of diesel's acceptance in the U.S. General Motors has just announced a new 4.5L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel powerplant it plans to use in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups, as well as the HUMMER H2. The new oil burner is expected to produce at least 310 horsepower and 520 ft-lbs. of torque. It features dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, a variable-vane turbocharger and aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding that helps keep the overall package small enough to fit in the same space as the automaker's small-block gas V8s.

That's right, just imagine the possibilities. Wherever GM uses a small-block V8 gas engine, it could potentially use the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel. In a few years we could be driving diesel Impalas, diesel Camaros, maybe even a diesel Corvette! To quote GM's press release, the engine's small size gives it "the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand." Indeed.

GM estimates that the engine will improve fuel efficiency by 25%, reduce CO2 emissions by 13% and decrease particulate and NOx emissions by at least 90% in its GMT900 pickups and the HUMMER H2. Whoever said the HUMMER H2 was on its way out will likely be proven incorrect after this engine debuts. Scheduled to be built at the GM Tonawanda engine plant outside Buffalo, NY, the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel will be 50-state emissions compliant and meet 2010 diesel emissions standards, as well. GM claims its new diesel will also have NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels approaching those of today's current gas V8s, though we'll have to wait and see if that wish comes true. That wait should end in a couple of years, as the automaker states the engine will be available in Silverado, Sierra and H2 models built after 2009.

UPDATE: Pickuptruck.com's Mike Levine has learned from GM that despite sharing its name with the older 6.6L Duramax diesel that was developed in partnership with Isuzu, the new 4.5L Duramax was developed completely in-house by GM.

Check out GM's full press release after the jump for more details.

[Source: GM]

PRESS RELEASE:

GM Plans First Light Duty V-8 Clean Diesel For North America

* High-efficiency V-8 scheduled for pickup trucks under 8,600 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight and HUMMER H2
* Low emissions, high performance and excellent fuel economy
* Expected to deliver class-leading torque, power and refinement
* Manufactured at the GM Powertrain Tonawanda engine plant

TONAWANDA, N.Y. – General Motors Corp. will introduce a new, state-of-the-art 4.5L V-8 Duramax turbo-diesel that improves engine fuel efficiency by 25 percent, reduces CO2 emissions by 13 percent and cuts particulates and NOx emissions by at least 90 percent for North American light duty trucks and the HUMMER H2 built after 2009.

The premium V-8 diesel is expected to deliver class-leading torque, power and refinement while maintaining a significant fuel efficiency advantage over comparable-output gasoline engines.

The new dual-overhead cam, four-valve V-8 diesel engine will fit within the same space of a small-block V-8 gasoline engine. This compact size is made possible by using integral cylinder head exhaust manifolds, integral cam cover intake manifolds and a narrow block.

"This new GM light duty diesel is expected to become a favorite among customers who require excellent towing ability and fuel efficiency," said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Global Powertrain and Quality. "It will meet the stringent 2010 emissions standards, and it will be compliant in all 50 states, making it one of the cleanest diesel vehicles ever produced."

Environmental benefits of the new engine include a 13-percent reduction in CO2 versus gasoline engines, and at least a 90-percent reduction in particulates and NOx compared to diesel vehicles today. This will be GM's first engine to use a selective catalytic reduction NOx aftertreatment system with a diesel particulate filter to help achieve the Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards.

Technical highlights of the engine include aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding; a variable-vane turbocharger with intercooling; a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) block for a stronger and lighter engine base (compared to lower-strength aluminum or heavier grey cast iron); and fracture-split main bearing caps and connecting rods for a precise fit. An electronically controlled, ultra-high-pressure, common-rail fuel system is used, which has the ability to inject fuel five times per combustion event to control noise and emissions.

"This new V-8 is not only a clean diesel meeting the toughest emissions requirements in North America, it also delivers an effortless performance feel because of its high torque across the speed range," said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Powertrain Diesel Engineering. "It is also significantly quieter than other diesels on the road today, with noise and vibration performance approaching gasoline V-8 levels."

Freese said the new V-8's compact size enables it to fit in the envelope of a gasoline small-block engine, which provides GM the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand.

The premium V-8 diesel engine is expected to deliver class-leading refinement, horsepower and torque and fulfill multiple vehicle applications with ratings in excess of 310 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque.

GM (Opel, Saab, Vauxhall and GMDAT ) currently offers 17 diesel engine variants in 45 vehicle lines around the world. GM sells more than one million diesel engines annually, with products that offer a range of choices from the 1.3L four-cylinder diesel engine sold in the Opel Agila and Corsa, up to the 6.6L V-8 Duramax diesel sold in full-size vans, heavy duty pickups and medium duty trucks in the U.S.

GM first introduced the Duramax diesel 6.6L V-8 in the U.S. in the 2001 model year and since then, customer enthusiasm for this heavy duty diesel has been outstanding. In fact, GM's heavy duty pickup truck market share has jumped nearly tenfold in the six years that Duramax engines have been offered.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Sure would be nice to get the additional pulling power of the diesel in a lighter duty truck along with the improved fuel economy that comes with it. Being a driver of a 1/2 Silverado with the 5.3 engine and not pulling much more than 3 quads, it would tickle my interest! Of course just having a few more gears like a six speed automatic would also help the issue too!

I dont know GMs track record with in house diesels aint that good. The duremax is a good motor but it was actualy built by Isuzu not GM. I sure hope I am wrong about as I would love to have a half ton chevy again but I need that diesel power.

I worked for auto dealers for many years and in the past it has taken at least 1 model year to get the 1st year bugs out.

After my disasterous experience with GM's 6.5 diesel Wraith has hit the nail exactly on the head. It will be a LONG-LONG time before I trust a GM in house diesel. Good in theory, having a half-ton diesel rig is a good thing, especially in the GM package. Sharp styling, good riding, good tranny, etc, but man did I take it in the shorts on that deal. It was just JUNK, and it just wasn't me.

but then maybe not--I might run right out and buy one. Nothing like a old fool. I did buy a first year Kawasaki 650. It is bullet proof. Just turned 16000 miles.

My next truck will be a half-ton diesel. Hopefully by the time I'm ready to trade up, Ford or Dodge will have one out. I'm not much of a GM fan.

GM, Dodge, and Ford will all have a 1/2 ton diesel by yr 2010. Actually, Ford will be first releasing an f150 diesel in 2008 as a 2009 model, so the wait is not far off....maybe only a year from now :-) Ford will be basing their small diesel off the 3.6 ltr they use in the Range Rover in Europe. However, they will increase the displacement from 3.6 ltr to a 4.4 ltr V8. GM and Dodge are set for late 2009 as 2010 models.

that range rover 3.6 is nice motor hope they dont screw it up when they jack up the size to 4.4 ltrs.

I wonder what this emergence of the 1/2 ton diesel is going to affect the 1/2 gas burner market... I would think it would drive their price down...JMO

quote:

Originally posted by Voodoo:
I wonder what this emergence of the 1/2 ton diesel is going to affect the 1/2 gas burner market... I would think it would drive their price down...JMO

I wouldn't expect any price drop initially. They will charge enough of a premium for the diesels that there will be a substantial price difference and the gas motors will still sell well. If the diesels end up being a fair percentage of sales that will effect the gas rig prices but not many truck owners actually carry enough on a regular basis to be worth buying the extra cost diesel option. I love my duramax 2500 but have no illusions of it really being cost effective, with gas and diesel prices being close at present the $8,000 (more now) price difference would buy a lot of gas.

Bruce

http://dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=47304&d=1192465283

Above is a PDF document with more info than perviously seen. Not sure if you can get to it without being a member and not sure if we can add an attachment. If I figure that out, I will. Or, I can send it thru email.

on edit-go to page 21 and 22 of this pdf
http://www.sae.org/automag/techbriefs/10-2007/1-115-10-17.pdf

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TxDoc,

Good stuff! Had to join to read, but no big deal at all.

Thanks,

I can't wait till either Ford or Toyota come out with a 1/2 ton Diesel. I don't need a 3/4 ton and i am looking forward to a 1/2 ton 4x4 getting upwards of 30 MPG or better. I wish Toyota would bring their Hi-Lux Diesel from Europe up over for us and put it in the Tacoma. They have a Diesel in almost every country but the US. Come on guys; get us a small and 1/2 ton diesel truck market. What are you waiting for? If the US automakers want to boost sales, they need to catch up already.

My jury is still out……. Pay $4-$5.000 more, pay almost %30 more for fuel and go to inconvenient places for it, pay much more for oil changes, and get 20% better gas mileage…..

I have though about it a great deal and I can only justify it for the torque and towing capacity. When they downsize it to a ½ ton…. Is the one big benefit gone?