Motor Trend (MT) has it on the downlow that Cadillac is considering a Duramax diesel-powered version of the CTS. The 4.5-liter, 520 lb-ft turbodiesel fits just fine in the CTS engine bay, say GM sources, as long as the design-ruining raised CTS-V hood is used. The idea behind the oil-burning option: bridge the considerable performance gap between the 3.6-liter V6 base model and the bat-shit insane supercharged CTS-V. Oh yeah, and Cadillac’s Northstar replacement project has been canned, meaning the Duramax is all they have for the job. MT aknowledges that “a diesel CTS for the U.S. would be a risk,” but goes on to argue that there’s little downside to the project since the engine and transmission have already been developed. But as numerous half-baked GM products prove, just because you’re leveraging existing components doesn’t mean anyone will buy them. Especially if they require expensive fuel. In fact…
John McElroy over at WardsAuto makes a compelling case against mass-market diesels, claiming that high diesel prices, engine premiums and emissions regulation ramp-ups render American oil-burners DOA. Of course, a diesel CTS would likely be a pretty niche product. And the biodiesel-brewing types will probably go crazy at the idea of running a CTS on runoff from Chinese leftovers. Still, why the hell isn’t GM considering putting their two-mode hybrid V8 in the CTS if they need another engine so badly? Sure the price premium would make the Duramax look like an Ecotec. But after spending a third of a billion dollars (or thereabouts) developing the thing, they should use it, right? Oh, and diesel Eldorado. There, saved you the trouble.
I am seriously liking the torque.
If I had to buy any gm product I think it would be a caddy, and probably a cts-v. or cts with 520 lb-ft of torque.
Other than just to say “We’re exploring all options” I don’t think GM would put a diesel in a CTS. At least not for the US market.
On paper this looks like a fun idea, but I’m thinking a Duramax-powered CTS would have some big refinement issues when compared with the E320 and other European diesels. Not to mention, GM is known for having good gas-powered V8s, so why not play to their strength? GM has the Northstar-LH2/LC3, or the L76 and LS3 to bridge the gap in the lineup.
So this truck diesel will be refined enough for use in a Cadillac car?
And they do have another ready option: the 6.2-liter V8 without the supercharger. The engines going into the new Camaro would probably do.
It’s a rumor and nothing will likely come of it.
The Duramax is a very nice piece of engineering but it’s expensive and the CTS isn’t engineered for it. The premium it would cost would kill any chance of it selling, plus it’s a very bad idea.
I’ve always said since the original CTS debuted that a car this size needs an optional V8. It’s a shame the Northstar is so old.
Aren’t they putting a VM diesel into the European version?
Why not use that – presumably it’s a smaller diesel with better fuel economy yet good acceleration. A 30+ MPG CTS in the states could have a market, notwithstanding higher diesel prices.
I’ve read somewhere that more diesel refining capacity should be coming on line in the U.S. in the next few years, and that will help drop the price (the problem isn’t crude availability, but worldwide demand for diesel is up but refining capacity hasn’t kept up, leading to a refining-induced shortage and so higher prices).
There’s a car in that picture…?
There’s a car in that picture…?
You just beat me to it…I had the exact same sentence in mind.
How many can they sell in the first year? 10 or 5?
Knowing their resource is limited, they might as well use the money to make sure that the Volt doesn’t need a program reboot at every stop.
Nah – they are just teasing us. First gasoline prices are down, down, down here – around $2.95 today.
Second GM already has a CTS wagon I believe in Europe. Really slick looking thing but would we get it here? Heck no. Us Americans are supposed to buy GM’s big SUVs and big trucks.
Any arguments against a diesel are negated by significant fuel economy gains and copious stump ripping torque, in my mind. I would happily chose a big hulking diesel over a midsize gas engine. But I’m in a minority in North America, so what I think doesn’t matter.
Aside from the lack of demand for diesel cars in general (much less Luxury sedans), the Duramax’s refinement is a big concern.
Half baked diesels haven’t done well for this brand. This is a Cadillac for crying out loud: it needs a DoD 5.3L small block which already drops in with little to no additional R&D money.
Forget the diesel. Do they come with it?
What about dropping the same setup into a Lamda (I know more cannibals) and creating a Cayenne/FX45 killer for Pontiac?
Oh wait, they’re car, or something.
Methinks a Cadillac diesel will be DOA. At least in America; how many people remember the Cadillacs fitted with those horrible Olds diesels during the late 70s/early 80s?
If it comes with that diesel will they offer a towing package option too ?.
uh what about the new diesel for light-duty trucks that is coming out in 2010. That will have over 450 pounds of torque and will be light enough for the CTS. The duramax weighs a bunch and will kill handling.
billc83:
How many people remember just about anything built by Cadillac 15+ years ago? I don’t think there was one single redeeming product in the lineup, and I’m sure those bring back bad memories don’t they? That sure hasn’t stopped Caddy from turning themselves around regardless.
I can find no legitimate reason to conclude either way that a Cadillac diesel would be DOA. To me, that’d be one of those things that I’d just have to see in the flesh.
Hey, I called for this back when GM announced it made a diesel that would fit in the same space as a small block V8. I think that it’s a great idea.
I really doubt GM would add a V8 diesel option when they have developed a 2.9L V6 specifically for Cadillac in the European market, making 250 hp and 406 lb-ft. As others have mentioned the base Corvette engine would be a better stop gap.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/06/geneva-motor-show-cadillac-unveils-powerful-new-v6-clean-diesel/
yea i dont think this would work. the iron block of the engine would make it 2 nose heavy. and its diesel. so no one would really buy it. i hear that if this does go through that some r thinking that this should slot above the cts-v because of the torque rating