GM to Offer Light-Duty Diesels

General Motors will introduce a new V-8 turbo-diesel engine for North American light duty trucks after 2009. The V-8 diesel is expected to deliver class-leading torque and power and improve fuel efficiency by 25 percent over comparable output gasoline engines. Additionally, the engine boasts a 13 percent reduction in CO2 versus gasoline engines, and at least a 90 percent reduction in particulates and NOx emissions compared to today's diesel vehicles. This will be GM's first engine to use a NOx after-treatment system with a diesel particulate filter, helping it to achieve 2010 emissions standards in all 50 states.

Details are limited, but the engine will employ dual overhead cams as well as a common-rail fuel system. Significantly, the diesel's integrated air system and narrow block allow the engine to fit within the same space as GM's small-block V-8 gasoline engine. This makes a wide variety of GM light trucks - including its popular light-duty pickup trucks and full-size SUVs - potential candidates for diesel power. Our only complaint: why wait until 2009 or later to bring diesel to the masses?