With stricter emissions regulations affecting automakers worldwide, it’s no surprise that General Motors’ Australian division, Holden, has been clamoring for a diesel engine option for its Commodore model range. Apparently, GM finally sees eye-to-eye with its Australian counterpart and will begin offering the Commodore range with a diesel powerplant.
Australian media outlets are reporting that the Commodore line will soon be available with the same 2.9L turbo-diesel that will be available in the Australian-spec Cadillac CTS . That V6 powerplant — which was co-developed with VM Motori in Italy — produces 250 horsepower and a stout 406 lb-ft of torque.
Group vice-president for GM Powertrain, Thomas Stephens, confirmed the report earlier today. “The V6 VMM diesel will package into the Zeta platform,†he said.
The first diesel-powered Commodores will reportedly begin rolling off of the assembly in about 18 months.
GoAuto.com is also reporting that the same engine will be fitted into the Australian-spec Hummer H3 after the initial roll out of the diesel Commodores. However, don’t look for the 2.9L diesel to show up on U.S. shores.
But that doesn’t mean diesel-powered GM vehicles aren’t bound for the U.S. Since the Pontiac G8 — which launch in the coming months — is essentially a re-badged Holden Commodore, it would be possible to equip the G8 with the same diesel powerplant.
As for a diesel powered Hummer, GoAuto.com says that one is our future, just not with the 2.9L engine. Instead, GM will equip a Hummer model — likely the H2 — with the 4.5L diesel first show at last year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas. The publication also indicates that GMC will use the 4.5L mill, too.
