GM's New DI Engines Officially Official

[Z-06]

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PRESS RELEASE

GENERAL MOTORS' NEWEST ENGINES HELP SAVE FUEL AND MONEY

• New technologies and vehicle enhancements will enable GM's 2009 domestic car and light truck lineups to save 700 million gallons of fuel over vehicle life as compared to the 2008 GM fleet
• Chevy Equinox four-cylinder model to offer class-leading highway fuel economy

PONTIAC, Mich. – Owners of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox crossover will hit the streets next summer in a vehicle equipped with a highly efficient, all-new engine that will help save both fuel and money.

The 2010 Equinox will be offered with a choice of two new direct injected (DI) engines that use less fuel yet make more power – a 2.4L four-cylinder and a 3.0L V-6. The 2.4L engine delivers an estimated 30 mpg in highway driving (EPA certification pending), placing the Equinox at the top of its segment in highway mileage. Consumers who drive the 2.4L-equipped Equinox 15,000 miles per year will save 134 gallons of fuel or about $270 to $400 annually (assuming gas prices of $2 or $3 per gallon as compared to 2009MY Equinox).

The Equinox will join a growing roster of direct injected vehicles from GM, including the all-new 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover and 2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan, which, along with the Equinox, debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In fact, for the 2010 model year, GM will offer more DI models in North America than any other manufacturer.

"We first introduced direct injection in North America in the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line and the Pontiac Solstice GXP," said Tom Stephens, executive vice president, GM Global Powertrain and Global Quality. "We've been rolling out the technology across our portfolio as quickly as we can so that our customers will have additional fuel savings options. Direct injection is a state-of-the art engineering solution because it enables improved fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing power."

In the 2009 model year, GM offers six engines in 18 models globally with direct injection. By 2010, GM will have eight direct injected engines in 38 vehicle models, covering 10 percent of its global volume. In North America alone, GM will offer 18 models with direct injection.

GM's fuel-saving lineup

GM's direct injection push is part of a larger effort to implement multiple fuel-saving technologies across its 2009 portfolio. The all-new 2009 Chevy Traverse crossover, for example, enjoys best-in-class highway fuel economy (24 mpg for FWD models) of any eight-passenger SUV, thanks in part to its 3.6L direct injected V-6 engine with variable valve timing. In 2009, GM expects to sell 500,000 vehicles with gasoline direct injection.

Here are additional fuel-saving facts about GM vehicles:

• Twenty models in GM's 2009 lineup deliver EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or more – more than any other automaker. GM's non-hybrid models rank first in highway fuel economy in both the midsize sedan and subcompact segments. (Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura with 33 highway mpg; and Chevrolet Colbalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE at 37 highway mpg.)
• GM's 2009 domestic car and light truck lineups will use 700 million fewer gallons of fuel than the 2008 lineup, during the life of the vehicles, saving $1.4 to $2.1 billion in fuel costs, assuming gas prices of $2 to $3 per gallon. It's estimated that GM's 2010 lineup will add another 1.1 billion gallons of fuel savings and $2.2 to $3.3 billion, relative to the 2008 lineup.

GM's advanced engine technologies are already saving fuel today in vehicles on the road or expected to be sold in 2009. They include:

• More than 3.7 million vehicles with variable valve timing (VVT)
• 700,000 vehicles with direct injection
• 600,000 vehicles with Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology, which automatically lets the engine run on half of its cylinders when full power is not needed
• 200,000 vehicles with turbocharged gas engines
• 42,000 vehicles with both direct injection and turbocharging
• More than 2 million vehicles with fuel-saving six-speed transmissions

2.4L DI details

The new 2.4L DI engine delivers an estimated 180 horsepower (134 kW) @ 6700 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque (232 Nm) @4900 rpm. It uses technology based on GM's other four-cylinder direct injection applications, but with unique features designed for its specific application. This includes an 11.4:1 compression ratio that helps build power, slightly dished pistons that increase combustion efficiency and injectors with an application-specific flow rate.

GM benchmarked the best fuel system and noise attenuation products to provide customers with quiet operation.

3.0L DI details

The new 3.0L DI engine is a variant of GM's family of high-feature DOHC V-6 engines that also includes GM's 3.6L DI engine in the Cadillac CTS – an engine named to Ward's AutoWorld's 2009 "Ten Best Engines" list for North America, for the second consecutive year.

The 3.0L is rated at an estimated 255 horsepower (187 kW) and 214 lb.-ft. of torque (290 Nm), for an impressive power-to-displacement ratio of 85 hp per liter. (Output will vary by model.) The 3.0L DI features an isolated fuel injector system that reduces the direct injection high-pressure fuel system pulses for quieter operation. Rubber isolators are used with the fuel rail to eliminate metal-to-metal contact that would otherwise transmit noise and vibration from the high-pressure fuel system.

Along with direct injection technology, both the 3.0L DI and 2.4L DI engines use variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency across the rpm band, as well as reduce emissions.

How DI works

In a conventionally port fuel injected engine, air and fuel are mixed before they enter the combustion chamber. With GM's DI engines, fuel is sprayed directly into the cylinder where it is mixed with air. As the piston approaches top-dead center, the mixture is ignited by the spark plug; and when the fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, the air and fuel mixture is cooled. This enables the use of a higher compression ratio in the combustion chamber, which improves the engine's power and efficiency.

On cold starts, direct injection can be controlled to create a richer air/fuel mixture around the spark plug, making it easier to ignite in a cold engine. This results in a smoother operation of the engine and lower emissions during the cold start and warm-up, when most harmful tailpipe emissions are typically created. GM's direct injected engines reduce cold-start vehicle emissions by 25 percent.

Because the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber, direct injection uses higher fuel pressure than conventional fuel injected engines. This is enabled by a special high pressure pump driven by one of the engine's camshafts.

[smk4565]

These are good engines, especially the V6. The 2.4 makes 174 hp as is, adding DI didn't do much, but at least 180 is an upgrade. Probably tuned for mileage. GM should have made the push to DOHC years ago. I remember in 04-05 when the 3500 and 3900 "high value" engines were GM's new thing and thinking how that was a mistake because everyone else had DOHC. At least they got it right this time. The 3.0 V6 will be successful because 255 hp is enough for the vast majority of motorists, and it should have good fuel economy. In hilly areas of the country the 4-cylinder will probably seem inadequate in something like an Equinox but in the flat states like Florida it will be ok. The 2.4 DI will be good fr the Cruze and Malibu.

[Drew Dowdell]

These are good engines, especially the V6. The 2.4 makes 174 hp as is, adding DI didn't do much, but at least 180 is an upgrade.

Typical GM bashing.....30mpg in an equinox.... but DI didn't do much.

Probably tuned for mileage.

ya think?

GM should have made the push to DOHC years ago. I remember in 04-05 when the 3500 and 3900 "high value" engines were GM's new thing and thinking how that was a mistake because everyone else had DOHC.

You mean like back in 1989 with the DOHC 3.4, or the DOHC 3.5 from Olds, or the Quad-4, or the 3.6HF? And everyone DOES NOT have DOHC across the board. There is still a bunch of SOHC engines out there.

At least they got it right this time. The 3.0 V6 will be successful because 255 hp is enough for the vast majority of motorists, and it should have good fuel economy. In hilly areas of the country the 4-cylinder will probably seem inadequate in something like an Equinox but in the flat states like Florida it will be ok.

Inadequate like say... the 166hp/161ft/lbs@4200rpm that the CRV uses to motivate 3500lbs around town? Say what you will about the base V6 in the current 'Nox but 210 ft/lbs at 3800 RPM is a big advantage over what the CRV offers. Even with the 'Nox going to this new 4-cylinder, it will still have more power than the CRV.

[regfootball]

700 MILLION gallons

[regfootball]

these are great engines for the equinox.

180hp is perfect for most, and the v6 is not overdone for those who want it.

[Croc]

700 MILLION gallons

I nominate this for best post of 2008.

[Intrepidation]

These are good engines, especially the V6. The 2.4 makes 174 hp as is, adding DI didn't do much, but at least 180 is an upgrade. Probably tuned for mileage. GM should have made the push to DOHC years ago. I remember in 04-05 when the 3500 and 3900 "high value" engines were GM's new thing and thinking how that was a mistake because everyone else had DOHC. At least they got it right this time. The 3.0 V6 will be successful because 255 hp is enough for the vast majority of motorists, and it should have good fuel economy. In hilly areas of the country the 4-cylinder will probably seem inadequate in something like an Equinox but in the flat states like Florida it will be ok. The 2.4 DI will be good fr the Cruze and Malibu.

Yet again you are mistaken, not everyone else uses DOHC. Honda's 3.5 V6 in the Accord for example is SOHC. Research man, try it sometime.

[siegen]

30mpg highway is excellent for a vehicle like the Equinox. Although with a 2.4L it's going to be on the slow side (it weighs a few hundred lbs more than the CR-V). The 3.0L seems like a great engine too, and should be the standard engine IMHO.

[DBeaSSt]

Hello, Congress? Might want to look at what GM is developing. Oh, and has been developing as I'm pretty sure they didn't think up these engines last month.

[Robert Hall]

Yet again you are mistaken, not everyone else uses DOHC. Honda's 3.5 V6 in the Accord for example is SOHC. Research man, try it sometime.

It would be more accurate to say 'everyone else uses OHC'. Not much pushrod anything left outside of GM and Chrysler V8s.

[Drew Dowdell]

It would be more accurate to say 'everyone else uses OHC'. Not much pushrod anything left outside of GM and Chrysler V8s.

To SMK, DOHC is the second rising of Christ.

[smk4565]

I think these are good engines, no where in my original post did I bash them. If the 04-07 Malibu, Impala, Buicks, G6, Grand Prix all had a 3 liter DOHC V6 they might not have picked up the unrefined label when compared to the Japanese sedans. I am glad GM has caught up and even gotten ahead of the curve a little with DI and will have class leading engines. About the 180 hp four, I meant DI didn't do much to raise power. 30 mpg highway on an SUV is very good, hopefully the Equinox isn't overweight like the Vue.

[loki]

the 2.4 does have a decent amount of torque...given it will have a 5..or (hopefully) a 6 speed, it should be just fine for a base engine. now just sport tune it to 195hp and 185lbft for kappa and it'd be even better.

the 3.0L will nicely supplant, then replace, the 3.5 and 3.9 liter engines.....over the next...5 years they stay in the impala. lol

[biff]

No mileage reports given on the 3.0 Any guesses? Maybe the 3.0 is the new base V6 on the Malibu and Lacrosse and a DI 3.6 goes to a sport version.

Edited December 19, 2008 by biff

[gm4life]

I like what I am hearing... Glad my Torrent has a "crude" OHV motor.

[loki]

No mileage reports given on the 3.0 Any guesses? Maybe the 3.0 is the new base V6 on the Malibu and Lacrosse and a DI 3.6 goes to a sport version.

the lacross is getting the 3L as the base... it's been known for...2-3 weeks?

hopefully the 2.4 goes into the 'bu and hybrid and gets, maybe, 2 mpg better in the city. 1 on the highway. that'd be what? 24/33 ... ok ~24/34 w/ the 6 speed that would be the best in class, surely.

[smk4565]

The real gain will be the Malibu V6 by getting rid of the 3.6 that gets 17/26 mpg, and putting the 3.0 in. I bet they can get 20/28 out of the new V6 which is a good trade off to losing 30-40 lb-ft of torque, most Malibu buyers would rather have more mpg's than .2 seconds off the 0-60 time.

[avro206]

Good news--I am rather let down that the 2.4L is not pushing 190-200hp.

[Lamar]

The real gain will be the Malibu V6 by getting rid of the 3.6 that gets 17/26 mpg, and putting the 3.0 in. I bet they can get 20/28 out of the new V6 which is a good trade off to losing 30-40 lb-ft of torque, most Malibu buyers would rather have more mpg's than .2 seconds off the 0-60 time.

Now you're just talking silly...

[Derek77]

The real gain will be the Malibu V6 by getting rid of the 3.6 that gets 17/26 mpg, and putting the 3.0 in. I bet they can get 20/28 out of the new V6 which is a good trade off to losing 30-40 lb-ft of torque, most Malibu buyers would rather have more mpg's than .2 seconds off the 0-60 time.

It gets 28 in the CTS wagon, so I'm hoping for a little more in something like the Malibu.

NAIAS: 2010 CADILLAC CTS SPORT WAGON

[Blake Noble]

The 3.0L sounds like a good base engine for an Alpha Camaro, I think.

[Oracle of Delphi]

Just in time for my wife to upgrade her 2005 Equinox LT AWD to a 2010 Equinox.

[avro206]

The 3.0L sounds like a good base engine for an Alpha Camaro, I think.

3.6L sounds better

oh...Alpha eh? ah...3.6 still better. Its a Camaro not a Malibu

Edited December 20, 2008 by avro206

[Blake Noble]

3.6L sounds better

oh...Alpha eh? ah...3.6 still better. Its a Camaro not a Malibu

Consider Alpha's substantially lighter weight, and the 3.0L looks pretty enticing. The 3.6L would be used in mid-level models. :AH-HA_wink:

[thegriffon]

If anyone needed it, the accompanying photos confirm that the 3.0 DI and 6-speed awd combination will also be used in both the 2010 SRX and the 2010 LaCrosse.

[avro206]

Consider Alpha's substantially lighter weight, and the 3.0L looks pretty enticing. The 3.6L would be used in mid-level models. :AH-HA_wink:

thats precisely why you keep the 3.6L DI---it would be faster and get better gas mileage then the Zeta 3.6L Camaro.

The 3.0 would just dilute it--I mean that in the nicest way--the Camaro is still a pony car---people don't buy it for gas mileage, or similar factors that people look for when buying a 4 door family sedan.

If Camaro did go Alpha--it stands to reason because of the lighter weight--fuel economy goes up. That should be good enough--I don't think every single last gallon of gas must be squeezed by putting in smaller engines--at least in the Camros case.

Leave that to the "normal" more "pedistrain" cars. Cruze, Malibu ect.

One V6 is plenty---I just think it should be the best one. There has not been to 6cly since the first gen. And as much as I like the huge variety of engine choices offered back then....we are never going to return to those days.

That's my thinking

but what would you think of a 2.0 LNF Turbo as base in Alpha? I just hope they make it so they can stuff a V8 in there.

Edited December 20, 2008 by avro206

[pow]

180-hp 2.4L DI is perfect for a cute ute like the Equinox.

How about a DI 2.0L 150 hp as a base engine for the Malibu?

[loki]

How about a DI 2.0L 150 hp as a base engine for the Malibu?

only if the bu never gained another pound.

[ellives]

Hey! My 'bu LTZ is a sweet car! You make it sound like a Chevette! Not!

3.6L sounds better

oh...Alpha eh? ah...3.6 still better. Its a Camaro not a Malibu

[ZL-1]

That 3.0L will be a great base engine for the CTS!

Since IIRC the block is the same for the current 2.8L, 3.2L (the one GM sells to Alfa Romeo) and 3.6L engines, will there still be a 2.8L to be used in Opels and Saabs, eventually upgraded with DI, or will this engine replace the 2.8L across the board?

[thegriffon]

For the moment the 2.8 remains the turbo version of choice, but as the 3.0 and 3.2 L share the same bore a larger turbo is possible, and in fact a turbo version of the 3.2 L was originally planned. Very probably tweaking the turbo and adding dual-VVT and DI to the 2.8 would produce more power just as effectively as increasing the stroke. Note the 3.0 L DI produces effectively the same power and almost as much torque as the older 3.2 L D-VVT DI version produced for Alfa Romeo.

[Oracle of Delphi]

That 3.0L will be a great base engine for the CTS!

Since IIRC the block is the same for the current 2.8L, 3.2L (the one GM sells to Alfa Romeo) and 3.6L engines, will there still be a 2.8L to be used in Opels and Saabs, eventually upgraded with DI, or will this engine replace the 2.8L across the board?

I've always had bad luck with 3.0 engines.