GM Invests $69 Million in Diesel Engine
Published February 7, 2008
The displacement of the upgraded Duramax engine will remain at 6.6-liters, and the new layout will use selective catalytic reduction or urea to reduce oxides of nitrogen emissions.
General Motors announced a $69 million investment in an engine plant in Moraine, Ohio, to produce a cleaner, more advanced version of the carmaker’s Duramax diesel engine. The engine is intended for the Chevrolet Suburban and the Hummer H2, as well as the full-range of GM pickup trucks and full-size vans.
The next generation diesel powerplant, expected to arrive in 2010, will be designed to allow larger GM offerings to meet light-vehicle emissions standards in all 50 states. It will also give the Suburban and the H2, which are currently powered by GM’s gas-thirsty 6.0-liter V8 (12 city/17 highway), a more efficient alternative under the hood. Power and performance will not be compromised.
“This new investment demonstrates GM’s commitment to invest in technologies that reduce the impact of our vehicles on the environment, while maintaining performance attributes required by customers in the areas of towing and hauling loads,” said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing.
The displacement of the upgraded engine will remain at 6.6-liters, but will likely do away with the intake and exhaust manifolds. The new layout will use selective catalytic reduction or urea to reduce oxides of nitrogen emissions. Vehicles using the engine will also utilize a diesel particulate filter as part of a larger exhaust after-treatment system.
GM developed the original 6.6-liter Duramax with Isuzu. It went on sale in the 2001 model year and has gained the reputation of being trouble-free and hardworking. It has helped GM claim almost 25 percent of the overall heavy duty diesel truck market. Last year, GM built nearly 200,000 Duramax engines. More than one million have been built since production started.
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Yaaaah! More diesels! That's what I'm talking about. Great way to boost efficiency, plus diesels are better at towing and hauling anyway, which is what trucks are really for right? Sounds like a win-win situation to me. Now if someone would just get a small diesel into a Ranger sized truck...
What is with this site lately? Should it be renamed HybridCarsAndDiesels.com?
Well, hybrids can be diesel AND electricity, not necessarily petrol AND electricity.
Generally speaking, hybrids can be of any more than one source of power, I think.
I for one am happy the news posters are including diesel and electric in addition to hybrids in their postings. The more choices we have the better, as they each have the strong and weak points.
Sure GMs interest in diesel is a good sign. But when will they get around to putting diesels in their compact cars and sedans. It seems like they have released or provided a concept car for just about every far fetched or not quite ready for the market idea out there. But they have not yet done what is already achieved by virtually every small car manufacturer in Europe. Small cars with high efficiency diesel.
With the marketing power of GM I think they would be able to shake the stigma diesel has in the US, if they actually put some effort into it. Look at how much they push E85.
Kfly - My thoughts exactly!! But the US automakers actually do sell small diesel cars in Europe! For crying out loud!
Come on guys, you know what the ultimate Hybrid is don't you? It's a gas turbine powered alternator that runs at a steady, optimum speed for max economy and electrical power output. Add to that the best battery and motor technology and you have it. The power generation unit could be packaged to fit in many different locations in the vehicle, not just 'under the hood'. It can be made to run on multiple fuels, Chrysler proved that in the early sixties with the 'Turbine' car. My neighbor was a calibrator on that project and I watched him pour just about anything that would burn, even Diesel, into the fuel tank and drive it around Detroit!
The problem with gas turbines is they're high fuel consumption.
Don't forget, that the Chrysler Turbine Car was also loud (like a jet engine), and gave off 600degree F exhaust causing pavement problems.
I was given as sort of a wedding present a 80's Ford Tempo Diesel by in my Father-in-law. Not sure if he really liked me..LOL He had rebuilt the motor as he's an old-school diesel mechanic. Was a Mazda diesel i think, not sure how many were produced / sold. No turbo, but it was 5 speed and it was SLLLOOOWWW as heck. Did get 44-48 mpg pretty much anywhere you drove it. We thought the fuel gauge was broken it would go forever before you saw the gauge move any. But this car handled so terrible, I mean like worse than a old 60's car on bias ply tires. It was dangerous to try to drive it at modern speeds. Poured parts into it for brakes and struts, tires, vac pump, etc before I finally sold it for $1000.
He was also given a Ford Escort Diesel, same vintage.
Ford was trying back then, but it would have been a lot better with a turbo and a decent chassis to put it in.
what do you think about a hybrid car? Do you like the idea of all cars becomming hybrid? If you have any ideas as to where I can find this information please let me know?
school project
thanks,yall
WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH HYBIRD CARS
please comment sweet stuff back at www.myspace.com/smart_15
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