General Motors explores diesel

(GM) has announced that it will invest $100m in its Tonawanda, New York engine plant to produce a new diesel engine for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickup trucks and the Hummer H2.

The new 4.5l V-8 Duramax high-output engine is said to be more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Compared with gasoline engines, GM claims that the new engine is 25 per cent more efficient and produces 13 per cent less CO₂. It also claims that it produces 90 per cent fewer particulates and less nitrogen oxide (NOx) compared with other diesel vehicles.

According to GM, the engine owes its eco-friendliness to features such as a catalytic reduction NOx after-treatment system and a diesel particulate filter. The engine is expected to be able to deliver at least 310 horsepower and 520lb/ft of torque.

‘GM is transforming its product portfolio to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and the 4.5-litre V-8 diesel is an integral part of that transformation, as well as a component of GM’s strategy to diversify vehicle energy sources,’ said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice-president of global manufacturing.

The investment will enable the renovation of a 60,960m2 factory the purchase of new machinery and equipment to produce the new engine. GM will also invest an additional $41m at other sites to support the Tonawanda operations.

Construction is timetabled to start later this year, and production of the engine at the end of 2009.