General Motors Announces Two New Fuel Efficient Engines

1.4-Liter Turbo for Global Applications and 1.6-Liter CNG Turbo To Debut in Opel Zafira

Turin, Italy, 2008-05-15 – General Motors Corp. (GM) will introduce, starting in 2009, two new engines with significant fuel efficiency gains for vehicles marketed in Europe and other regions. The announcement was made this week at a GM Powertrain Europe event showcasing its comprehensive line-up of advanced propulsion technologies currently under development.

The 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be used in vehicles worldwide starting in 2010. The 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be introduced in the Opel Zafira in 2009. Both engines are new variants of GM’s existing engine families used globally.

“These new engines represent our ongoing approach to replace larger displacement engines with more compact, highly charged units for maximum performance and efficiency benefits,” says Dan Hancock, GM Powertrain Vice President, Global Engineering.

1.4-Liter Turbo

The 1.4-liter Turbo engine is a new addition to an engine family that ranges from 1.0 to 1.4-liter displacement. The engine will produce an estimated output ranging from 88 kW/120 hp to 104 kW/140 hp and torque values of 175 to 200 Nm. It will deliver an approximate 8 percent improvement in fuel consumption (compared to a higher displacement naturally aspirated engine with similar output) and will be EURO 5 compliant. Key features include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, full variable valve timing, thermal management, flow-controlled oil pump, and a reinforced crankshaft and connecting rod.

The engine will be manufactured at the GM Powertrain assembly facility in Aspern, Austria.

1.6-Liter CNG Turbo

The 1.6-liter CNG Turbo is a new variant in the 1.6-liter engine family that includes a naturally aspirated gasoline unit and a CNG unit. The engine will generate an estimated output of 110 kW/150 hp and an estimated torque of 210 Nm. Key features include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, an intake manifold with a gasoline and CNG fuel rail, and an oil cooler and piston cooling.

The 1.6-liter CNG Turbo will be produced in the GM Powertrain assembly facility in Szentgotthard, Hungary.

CNG has a 25 percent lower CO2 value than a comparable gasoline engine. GM has been successful in Europe with CNG in the Opel Zafira, which features a 1.6-liter CNG naturally aspirated engine. Italy and Germany are the two major markets for CNG within Europe.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2006, motorists bought nearly 9.1 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. In Europe, GM sells its Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Corvette and HUMMER ranges in over 30 markets. It operates 10 production and assembly facilities in seven countries and employs around 60,000 people. More information on GM can be found at http://media.gmeurope.com and gmeurope.com.

CONTACT(S):

Karl Mauer
GM Powertrain Europe

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