Scoop! Cadillac CTS May Get V-8 Diesel Option
10-15-08, 06:35 AM
#1
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Scoop! Cadillac CTS May Get V-8 Diesel Option
Scoop! Cadillac CTS May Get V-8 Diesel Option
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GM's 4.5-liter Duramax Engine for Caddy Could Deliver Performance and Economy
By Mike Connor
Whispers out of GM suggest the company is actively considering fitting its smooth, innovative new 4.5L Duramax V-8 turbodiesel into the engine bay of the Cadillac CTS. Fitting the engine is relatively straightforward, say sources, as long as Cadillac uses the raised hood from the CTS-v.
While it was initially expected the engine would serve in SUVs and light-duty pickups, GM engineers have long pointed out that the dual overhead cam, four-valve diesel V-8 will fit in the same space as a small-block gasoline V-8. They say the Duramax has been specifically designed for "a wide variety of vehicle applications." That obviously includes passenger cars.
GM says the 4.5L Duramax, which features aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding and a variable-vane turbocharger mounted in the vee, is capable of delivering more than 310 hp and in excess of 520 lb-ft of torque. It also claims the engine meets the tough 2010 emissions standards, making it legal in all 50 states.
Why do it? While the CTS is due to get a 2.9L V-6 diesel in Europe, the 4.5L diesel V-8 would most likely be seen as a way of filling the obvious gap between the 304-hp direct-injection V-6 of the regular CTS and the 556-hp supercharged V-8 of the CTS-v here in the U.S. -- especially now that the Ultra V-8 engine program (which was to have provided a replacement for the aging Northstar) has been canned. In the CTS, the Duramax V-8 could easily deliver comparable performance to the Ultra, with 20-25%-better mileage.
A diesel CTS for the U.S. would be a risk, but the downside for GM is in fact minimal. The engine already exists, as does the transmission capable of handling the torque, so there's little incremental investment required and therefore fewer sales needed to make the business case. The Duramax play also makes sense in light of the proposed CAFE regulations mandating 35 mpg average by 2020.
American consumers are rightly wary of diesels, but moves by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi to bring 50-state-legal diesel cars to the U.S. will help transform the oil-burner's image here over the next few years. And it certainly won't hurt Cadillac's image to be seen offering the same sort of technology as Europe's blue-chip luxury brands.
By Mike Connor
Whispers out of GM suggest the company is actively considering fitting its smooth, innovative new 4.5L Duramax V-8 turbodiesel into the engine bay of the Cadillac CTS. Fitting the engine is relatively straightforward, say sources, as long as Cadillac uses the raised hood from the CTS-v.
While it was initially expected the engine would serve in SUVs and light-duty pickups, GM engineers have long pointed out that the dual overhead cam, four-valve diesel V-8 will fit in the same space as a small-block gasoline V-8. They say the Duramax has been specifically designed for "a wide variety of vehicle applications." That obviously includes passenger cars.
GM says the 4.5L Duramax, which features aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding and a variable-vane turbocharger mounted in the vee, is capable of delivering more than 310 hp and in excess of 520 lb-ft of torque. It also claims the engine meets the tough 2010 emissions standards, making it legal in all 50 states.
Why do it? While the CTS is due to get a 2.9L V-6 diesel in Europe, the 4.5L diesel V-8 would most likely be seen as a way of filling the obvious gap between the 304-hp direct-injection V-6 of the regular CTS and the 556-hp supercharged V-8 of the CTS-v here in the U.S. -- especially now that the Ultra V-8 engine program (which was to have provided a replacement for the aging Northstar) has been canned. In the CTS, the Duramax V-8 could easily deliver comparable performance to the Ultra, with 20-25%-better mileage.
A diesel CTS for the U.S. would be a risk, but the downside for GM is in fact minimal. The engine already exists, as does the transmission capable of handling the torque, so there's little incremental investment required and therefore fewer sales needed to make the business case. The Duramax play also makes sense in light of the proposed CAFE regulations mandating 35 mpg average by 2020.
American consumers are rightly wary of diesels, but moves by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi to bring 50-state-legal diesel cars to the U.S. will help transform the oil-burner's image here over the next few years. And it certainly won't hurt Cadillac's image to be seen offering the same sort of technology as Europe's blue-chip luxury brands.
10-15-08, 08:19 AM
#7
Lexus Champion
i'd love to see it! add a chip, intake, huge exhaust system, big injectors and you're looking at 800 lb. ft. and 450 hp while keeping the same or better mpg.
diesels ftw.
diesels ftw.
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10-15-08, 08:42 AM
#10
The potential fuel efficiency goes out the window when you put in a V8 diesel. A 4 cylinder TD or a 6 cylinder TD might have been a better option. Auto manufacturers don't care about the fuel efficiency in the cars they make, because if they did, we'd see GOOD ideas coming from them... not bonehead ideas like this one... 
10-15-08, 08:45 AM
#11
Lexus Champion
unless you mean the power delivery, in which case yes it will be different. you'll have full torque at low rpms which means you cna light up the tires anytime you want. it means you can cruise in top gear at 45 mph and just give it fuel to acclerate, no downshift necessary. it's deceptive acceleration becuase it redlines obviously much lower than a gas engine but delivers full power so much earlier.
10-15-08, 08:58 AM
#12
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I have a nice video the shows you how good a modern diesel is
http://www.garage419.com/episode/g419_20080911
The reason I'm concerned about the Caddy diesel is because they state that it was originally built for SUVs and trucks. Although I'm sure they can tune it to give a more desirable ride
10-15-08, 12:28 PM
#14
that's pretty dope, think of the performance potential with that thing. there's diesel pickups running over 700hp and 1000lb/ft with an ecu tune, intake, exhaust, and fuel upgrades. nevermind turbos etc.
they did this same kind of thing with the old seville's back in the 70's or early 80s
they did this same kind of thing with the old seville's back in the 70's or early 80s
10-15-08, 01:36 PM
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Do it, but I wouldn't buy one. Perhaps I'd be more willing to get a 6 cylinder diesel, but even still, diesel costs a buck more than gasoline. The fuel savings wont be enough to justify.