Opel Announces All-New 1.6 Liter Turbo-Diesel Engine

GM/Opel is continuing its engine renaissance at wide open throttle with the announcement of a 1.6 liter turbo-diesel Ecotec motor. The engine’s launch will follow that of the all-new 1.6 liter turbo-charged gasoline engine (SIDI Ecotec) announced in 2012.

Developed in-house by GM’s global team of engineers in Turin, Ruesselsheim and the USA, the new 1.6 CDTI Ecotec is the second family of downsized engines that’s part of Opel’s engine revitalization strategy.

The new 1.6 liter CDTI features an aluminum block, closed-loop combustion control, and is also the first diesel engine from Opel to comply with future Euro 6 emissions requirements. The engine will be available in a “variety of power outputs across several carlines” and will replace 1.7 liter and certain lower-power 2.0 liter diesel units in Opel’s lineup.

Opel says that the main objectives in developing the new engine were class-leading refinement, performance, and environmental responsibility. More specifically:

• Noise attenuation
• Vibration and harshness levels
• High power/torque density
• Low fuel consumption

The mill will be good for 136 hp (137 PS) and 235 lb.-ft. of torque 320 (Nm) while consuming 10 percent less fuel compared to similarly-powerful 2.0 liter diesel engines.

The new CDTI will launch by the end of 2013 out of Szentgotthard (St. Gotthard), Hungary. It should come as no surprise that Opel didn’t make any mentions of its new turbo diesel reaching international markets (such as North America). At that, GM enthusiasts in the New World are still waiting for any official confirmation from The General that the new 1.6 liter turbo gasoline sipper will make its way here, let alone the new 1.6 CDTI Ecotec. But hey, at least we’re supposed to get the diesel-powered Cruze at some point this year…