xcel
03-31-2007, 04:39 PM
Is this heaven? (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/BUSINESS02/703290383/1015/BUSINESS01)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/GM_Europe_s_2007_Opel_Astra.jpgMark Phelan - Detroit Free Press - Mar. 30, 2007
Highway cruising over 100 m.p.h. with fuel economy exceeding 37 m.p.g. Detroit to Chicago and back -- 566 miles -- on considerably less than a tank of fuel.
No, it's the Opel Astra 1.9 CDTI, powered by GM Europe's latest turbodiesel. The fuel-efficient and powerful 1.9-liter turbodiesel in the Astra I recently tested in Europe won't make it across the Atlantic this year, but it may be in the brand's future.
The 2008 Saturn Astra that hits dealerships late this year will have a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Saturn hasn't said how the car does in EPA fuel consumption tests, but you can expect it to be competitive with models like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and VW Rabbit but well short of what the diesel would achieve.
Saturn executives have their eye on GM's European diesel lineup. The brand could offer the latest generation of low-emissions diesels alongside its growing lineup of hybrid-electric models as it works to polish its earth-friendly credentials.
The main questions are how much could Saturn charge for the diesel and how many customers would pay for it.
Diesels are more expensive than most gasoline engines because of costly additional components like turbochargers, intercoolers, high-pressure fuel pumps and extra emission-control systems.
Ballpark figures floating around the industry suggest a diesel that can be sold in all 50 states in 2010 could cost around $1,000 more than a comparably powerful gasoline engine.
That's a big hurdle for a compact car like the Astra, but it wouldn't be a shock to see the brand offering diesels to test demand.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/GM_Europe_s_2007_Opel_Astra.jpgMark Phelan - Detroit Free Press - Mar. 30, 2007
Highway cruising over 100 m.p.h. with fuel economy exceeding 37 m.p.g. Detroit to Chicago and back -- 566 miles -- on considerably less than a tank of fuel.
No, it's the Opel Astra 1.9 CDTI, powered by GM Europe's latest turbodiesel. The fuel-efficient and powerful 1.9-liter turbodiesel in the Astra I recently tested in Europe won't make it across the Atlantic this year, but it may be in the brand's future.
The 2008 Saturn Astra that hits dealerships late this year will have a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Saturn hasn't said how the car does in EPA fuel consumption tests, but you can expect it to be competitive with models like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and VW Rabbit but well short of what the diesel would achieve.
Saturn executives have their eye on GM's European diesel lineup. The brand could offer the latest generation of low-emissions diesels alongside its growing lineup of hybrid-electric models as it works to polish its earth-friendly credentials.
The main questions are how much could Saturn charge for the diesel and how many customers would pay for it.
Diesels are more expensive than most gasoline engines because of costly additional components like turbochargers, intercoolers, high-pressure fuel pumps and extra emission-control systems.
Ballpark figures floating around the industry suggest a diesel that can be sold in all 50 states in 2010 could cost around $1,000 more than a comparably powerful gasoline engine.
That's a big hurdle for a compact car like the Astra, but it wouldn't be a shock to see the brand offering diesels to test demand.