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Home > > Feature Article
The Cadillac Coupe Concept is designed for diesel
by Sam Abuelsamid

On stage at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today Ed Welburn, GM's chief designer, VP Design unveiled a new coupe edition of the CTS. Currently the CTS coupe is labeled only as a concept altough such a car could appear in production in the next few years.

"(The CTS Coupe) can even take a diesel," Welburn says.

Noteworthy in Welburn's introduction was the mention that the coupe is designed to accomodate the 2.9L V-6 turbodiesel being developed for overseas markets. The new diesel V-6 was initially announced at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. 

At the time General Motors officials stated that the engine would only be used in European market editions of the CTS.  However, recent developments including the passage of the energy bill that included new fuel economy requirements have caused GM and other manufacturers to reconsider future power-train lineups.

The first concrete result of this was the recent cancellation of a new high-feature V-8 engine program which was slated to replace the current Northstar V-8 used in several Cadillac models.  Jim Taylor, Cadillac General Manager confirmed that falling market share for V-8 engines in Cadillac models and the new rules ultimately led to the decision.  

Taylor also confirmed that decision to reserve the 2.9L V-6 turbodiesel for foreign markets was being reconsidered by General Motors in light of recent developments. The recent announcement of Euro VI emissions rules that will be close to US Tier2 Bin5 regulations will require GM to update the engine for other markets making a US introduction more likely.

The unveiling of this new concept with diesel prominently discussed is the first concrete evidence of this, since GM has not publicly discussed this engine at a US event previously. The new engine is expected to debut in 2009 in European market CTS sedans with 250hp and 406lb-ft of tourque.

JANUARY 2008
 
 



 









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