New GM diesel could power Commodore

A DAY after GoAuto revealed that Holden had no business case for a diesel-engined Commodore, General Motors last week used the Geneva motor show in Switzerland to unveil a new hi-tech diesel engine for its Cadillac CTS.

Due for production in 2009, around the same time the CTS is expected to be released in Australia, the 2.9-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 common-rail turbo-diesel produces 184kW and 550Nm (at 2000rpm) and can be installed in both transverse and longitudinal applications.

Left: BLS wagon.Developed in co-operation with VM Motori (which also collaborated on the GM Daewoo 2.0-litre diesel released this month in Holden’s Captiva SUV), the engine features GM’s first production application of "closed-loop" combustion technology and its compact design enables transverse and longitudinal installation, meaning it can be adapted to a wide range of 2WD and 4WD vehicles.

For the time being, the V6 diesel – and a V8 version also understood to be in development – remains in the cupboard for the Commodore.

Cadillac this week also revealed a wagon derivative of its compact Saab 9-3 based BLS sedan. Due for European release later this year, Cadillac's first wagon in its 104-year history will, like its sedan sibling, be available with 110kW 1.9-litre turbo-diesel power, plus 129kW and 154kW versions of a 2.0-litre petrol four and a turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 offering 188kW.