GM postpones diesel V8
The show won't go on for GM's innovative 'Duramax' diesel V8Plans to introduce a new 4.5-litre 'Duramax' diesel V8 to the Chevy Silverado and Sierra models in the US have been shelved. According to American website, PickupTrucks.com, the engine, which was under development for production at General Motors' Tonawanda engine plant near Buffalo, New York, is a victim of the corporation's financial problems. A spokesperson for GM Powertrain, Susan Garavaglia, says that the innovative engine may be revived once GM's fortunes improve.
"Due to capital constraints and the current economic climate, the 4.5-liter Duramax is on indefinite hold," she told PickupTrucks.com.
"It's not cancelled. Should the situation change, we're still very interested in adding this technology to our product portfolio."
The engine, which featured a reversal of manifolds for greater efficiency (exhaust exiting within the bank angle of the V-configuration engine to drive the turbocharger), was rumoured to be under consideration by HSV for its E-Series cars, but more recent reports indicate that if the local GM affiliate goes with diesel power for the high-performance sedans (more here), it will likely be the VM Motori 2.9-litre V6 already powering the Cadillac CTS in Europe, or some other non-GM engine.
GM has left the door open for the engine to go into production at a facility owned by a third party company, freeing up capital for the corporation.
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