2009 1/2ton Duramax?

[ccole]

Hello all-
Thought I would share this... I just got my Diesel Power magazine today and glanced at an article, stating the GM is planning on a V-6 Duramax option in the 1/2 ton pickups in 2009. It had a picture of the motor, which looked to share some characteristics of the 6.6 liter. I hope GM pulls through with this idea; its gonna be great for us guys that love diesels, but dont necessarily need the 2500HD or 3500 trucks. Cheers all-

[More Power]

Would be cool to have a 1/2-ton Dmax in the mix!

The proposed V-6 and this new V-8 share no parts with the V-8 Duramax 6600. Back several years ago, DMAX developed a V-6 that was based on the 6600, but that engine never made it past the prototype stage. Some here have driven vehicles with that engine.... :)

The new light-duty V-8 is an overhead cam engine slated to produce 300+ hp and near 500 lb-ft. Amazing when you consider that's where the original LB7 was.

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/500/4-5LDuramax.jpg

Here's GM's news release:

GM TO INVEST $100 MILLION IN NEW YORK PLANT FOR
DIESEL ENGINE PRODUCTION
• All-new, 4.5-liter V-8 turbo-diesel added to production lineup
• Approximately 150 hourly jobs retained


TONAWANDA, N.Y. –General Motors Corp. will invest $100 million in its Tonawanda engine plant to produce an all-new, 4.5-liter V-8 Duramax high-output diesel engine for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickup trucks and the HUMMER H2. The engine fuel efficiency improves by 25 percent when compared with gasoline engines. 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 when compared to diesel vehicles today.

The investment includes a 200,000-square-foot facility renovation, new machinery, equipment and special tooling to bring diesel engine technology to New York. In addition to the $100 million facility investment, GM will invest an additional $41 million for vendor tooling, containers and investments at other locations necessary to support the Tonawanda operations. Construction is slated to begin later this year and production of the 4.5-liter V-8 diesel engine is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2009. The project will retain about 150 hourly jobs.

“GM is transforming its product portfolio to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and the 4.5-liter 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. “This will be one of the most efficient and technically- advanced diesel engines, providing a 25 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and 13 percent reduction in CO2 emissions over gasoline engines in this segment – and it does all that while still providing the performance attributes required by customers in the areas of towing and hauling loads.”

The investment announced today is in addition to a $300 million investment GM announced in January for production of an all-new, DOHC V-8 engine to power GM’s luxury cars and SUVs. Production of that engine also begins in 2009.

“GM’s investment in the Tonawanda plant, totaling $1.6 billion in the last 10 years, is a significant vote of confidence in our employees and UAW Local 774, who have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to benchmark performance that is contributing to the company’s turnaround,” Buttermore said.

The GM Powertrain Tonawanda plant management and UAW Local 774 leadership successfully negotiated a competitive operating agreement that improves operational effectiveness. The agreement also addresses processes and methods that improve production quality, efficiency and safety of the operations.

Buttermore also thanked New York’s leaders on the federal, state, county and local levels, including New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra and Tonawanda Supervisor Ron Moline, for providing the business case to support GM’s investments in New York.

“General Motors has been part of the fabric of the Western New York economy for almost 70 years,” said Governor Spitzer. “The company’s expanded investment in its Tonawanda plant is a testament to the area’s highly skilled, highly motivated workforce and the role that manufacturing will continue to play in the revival of Upstate New York.”

The 4.5-liter V-8 Duramax high-output diesel engine will be GM’s first engine to use a selective catalytic reduction NOx after-treatment system with a diesel particulate filter to help achieve the Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions standards. It will be compliant in all 50 states, making it one of the cleanest diesels ever produced. It is expected to deliver class-leading power and torque, and fulfill multiple vehicle applications with ratings in excess of 310 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque.

GM Powertrain’s Tonawanda engine plant opened in 1938 and has produced nearly 68 million engines. The plant covers 3.1 million square feet and employs 1,565 hourly and 260 salaried employees, with an annual payroll of $200 million. Currently, the Tonawanda engine plant builds the 2.2-liter Ecotec engine that powers the Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR; the Inline 4- and 5-cylinder engines that power the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups and the HUMMER H3 SUV; the 3.5- and 3.9-liter high value V-6 engines for the Pontiac G6 and the Chevrolet Malibu and Impala; and the 8.1-liter big block V-8 engine that powers Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick medium-duty trucks – as well as marine and industrial applications.

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 (http://www.gm.com).



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[tbrowne]

I just hope they put the injectors where they are accessible without pulling the valve covers. We don't need another LB7 fiasco.

[Dakster]

Wow. That sounds great!! Can't wait for 2009 now. Gives me more diesel vehicle choices!

However, I hope gas stations respond b putting out more diesel pumps. Some stations don't have diesel and others have 12 billion gas pumps and 1 diesel pump... With all these new expected vehicles out there that will burn diesel there may be diesel lines!

[JohnC]

Sign in GM:

New light duty diesel

Available Tomorrow....



(Sign in a bar:

Free Beer
Tomorrow )

[Dakster]

We can hope right??? I think it looks better than before. I thought the only diesel "car" you were going tobe able to get from GM is a $60k+ caddy... I like the truck, but would like more options for the wife...

[Duramaster]

I first want to say that "I don't have all my facts in order". Ok? Now, the little reading that I did on this new engine is that it is not a "DMAX", but an all new engine designed by GM!?!?!?!??? I didn't think that GM was very good at diesel engine engineering and that is why they went with the LB7 in the first place? Please don't let this be another 6.2/ 6.5 diesel!!! :p

[JohnC]

We can always hope. In fact, the press release is really encouraging. It's just that they've been talking about it for 10 years now...

Tomorrow...

[Dakster]

I heard they took a gas v8 out of the 1500 and they are coverting it to run on diesel.

OH wait... that was what they did before...Just kidding Duramaster... AFter reading CNN yesterday hopefully they get this out ebfore having to declare bankruptcy... The jap brands have passed the domestics in sales in the US.

Although what is an "American Made Vehicle" vs. a "Foreign". What is the Mercedes made in Ohio or the Ford Made in canada with mexican motors? :confused:

[JohnC]

Sales percentages may be down, but I thought I heard that they actually turned a profit last quarter!

[Ramster21]

Original design was IZUSU lead. But all motors are built by GM. All diesel, no matter who makes it was designed by someone else, ie, cummins, navistar, etc. GM is well ahead of the game, they are just continuing to use the term Duramax. I work for Chevy, and the Duramax is awesomely built. GM just keeps making it better. :D

[DarylB]

Like someone mentioned in a previous post, lets hope this gets out before GM has to sell off the Duramax plant or they go into the red ;)

[FrankA]

I wouldn't worry about the engine. What transmission will they use?

[Dakster]

I would guess a baby allison, but since GM SOLD Allison who knows now. I agree, don't worry about the motor...

I remember it taking awhile to build a reliabel tras that coud handle the TQ of a diesel. I doubt the current sized Alli would fit in anythig smaller/lower than a 1500, 4x4 truck.