New Diesels On The Horizon

In August, GM announced that it was developing an all-new V-8 to be launched after 2009, which would meet Bin 5 emissions standards for 2010.

In a possibly unrelated announcement in Geneva, Cadillac announced it would offer a new 2.9-liter V-6 turbo-diesel engine that features state-of-the-art injection and combustion technology for low emissions and high performance.

The new engine (250 hp/406 lb-ft) will be sold in Europe, although it is the first of a line of clean combustion engines with technology that will be introduced in other GM diesels. Its first production application is scheduled for 2009 in the new Cadillac CTS. The compact dual overhead cam, four-valve V-6 engine belongs to a new GM family of diesel engines, featuring an innovative closed-loop combustion control system designed to meet future emissions standards. The V-6 engine management system enables optimal fuel economy as well as reduced emissions and noise by using a recently developed combustion control technology. Key enablers of the system are high-speed, piezo-resistive cylinder pressure sensors that are integrated within the engine glow plugs. These specialized sensors acquire real-time data from the combustion process, enabling instantaneous fine-tuning of the fuel injection process.

Ford has announced that the F-150 will get a diesel engine. The size and timing are still under wraps, but there are plenty of whispers on the web that it will be 4.4L diesel V-8, possibly related to the Land Rover V-8 now in use in Europe.

Cummins, of Columbus, Indiana, announced in October that DaimlerChrysler would be the major customer for a new family of light-duty, clean diesel engines. The new engines will have strong, light Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) blocks, and are designed to power vehicles below 8,500-lb gross-vehicle weight. The engines include a 4.2-liter V-6 (270 hp with 420 lb-ft) and a 5.7-liter V-8 (325 hp/500 lb-ft). These engines would be suitable for use in Ram trucks, Durango pickups, or any of the Daimler/Chrysler SUVs. 

Mercedes already has a diesel V-6 diesel in its GL-class, which has been hot-selling among customers wanting a large SUV with lower fuel bills. The Vision GL 420 BlueTec concept unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit featured a European V-8 diesel engine developing 290 hp and 515 lb-ft while delivering 24 mpg.

BMW has announced that it will bring diesel automobiles to the United States in 2008, powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo inline six. The company has said it will use SCR to achieve Tier 2 emissions regulations, but has not revealed which models will gain a diesel.

It is thought that both Toyota and Nissan have backed off of the 1-ton pickup truck market because they have not yet developed a diesel engine that would allow their trucks to be competitive in the segment. 

According to reports in Automotive News, Nissan says that it plans to suspend, and possibly stop all together, the development of its heavy-duty pickup program. The article also mentions that Nissan will stop production on some of its larger body-on-frame SUVs, including the Pathfinder and Armada, and shift to smaller and more fuel-efficient crossovers when the SUV product cycles end.

Toyota was expected to launch a heavy duty pickup before 2010, possibly offering a Hino Motors diesel option, but industry reports now cast doubt on that possibility.

Meanwhile, Subaru introduced an all-new diesel engine at the Geneva show last March.  In keeping with Subaru design philosophy, the engine is a flat four that does not need a balance shaft.  Word is, the engine will appear in Europe early next year.