GM's Direct-Injected Engine Future
GM introduced its first-generation DI system on a small scale in the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line and Pontiac Solstice GXP. For the 2009 model year, six engines in 18 global market models will have the technology, with that number jumping up to eight engines in 38 models by MY2010. North America alone will have 18 models featuring DI in the same product cycle. Along with the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, the technology will be employed by the 2010 Cadillac SRX and 2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan, both of which are also bowing in Detroit.
To give you a better idea of how significant the potential fuel savings DI helps to achieve, consider these figures compiled by GM bean counters. The General's 2009 North American lineup will use 700 million fewer gallons of fuel during the lifetime of its vehicles compared with the 2008 group. That number is expected to hit 1.1 billion gallons for 2010. Enter into the equation a price of $2 to $3 dollars per gallon, and you get a good indication of the total pump savings.
Even with so much uncertainty and gloom surrounding Detroit and Washington these days, it's a welcome surprise for GM to continue its efforts to push next-generation fuel-saving technologies in its vehicles. Whether or not this is all too little too late for the struggling automaker has yet to be seen, but we're quite certain it won't hinder its cause.
Check back for our complete 2009 North American International Auto Show coverage straight from Detroit in the coming days.