General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) unveiled a new 2.9-liter V-6 turbo-diesel engine that features state-of-the-art injection and combustion technology for minimum emissions and maximum performance.

This is GM’s First Production Application of innovative, Closed-Loop Combustion technology. The Cadillac CTS is adding this engine to its portfolio in 2009. This new engine has low emissions, high performance and excellent fuel economy. This engine has 184 kW/250 hp, 550 Nm (406 lb.-ft.) Torque, 2.9-Liter Displacement. This new compact design enables transverse and longitudinal installation.

The new engine (184 kW/250 hp) will be mainly sold in Europe and makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18). Its first production application is scheduled for 2009 in the new Cadillac CTS.

The compact dual overhead cam, four-valve V-6 engine belongs to a new GM family of diesel engines, featuring an innovative closed-loop combustion control system designed to meet future emissions standards. The engine can be installed in a longitudinal or transverse layout and can be adapted to a wide range of two- or four-wheel drive vehicles.

GM’s development of the new engine is being coordinated under the leadership of GM Powertrain’s European operations in Turin, Italy, in cooperation with VM Motori based in Cento, Italy. GM Powertrain will focus on the development of the clean combustion process, electronic engine control and exhaust-gas after treatment, as well as calibration and integration into GM vehicles. VM Motori will build the new unit at its plant in Cento, Italy, and is responsible for the mechanical aspects of the engine’s design, development and bench testing.

The V-6 engine management system enables optimal fuel economy as well as reduced emissions and noise by using a recently developed combustion control technology. Key enablers for the system are high speed piezo-resistive cylinder pressure sensors that are integrated within the engine glow-plugs. These specialized sensors acquire real-time data from the combustion process, enabling instantaneous fine-tuning of the fuel injection process. In the future, this clean combustion control technology will be introduced in other GM Powertrain diesel engines.

The high-pressure, common-rail system provides up to 2000 bar (29,000 psi) injection pressure. The injectors are quick-firing piezo-electrically actuated, allowing up to eight injections per engine cycle. The after-treatment system includes an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter that are close coupled to the engine to achieve future emissions standards.

An electronically controlled variable geometry turbocharger generates boost pressure. The engine has a torque of 550 Nm (406 lb.-ft.) beginning at 2000 rpm, while providing effective fuel economy and reduced emissions.

The new, compact V-6 powerhouse features aluminum cylinder heads and a 60 degree bank angle, 83.0 mm bore and 90.4 mm stroke, which results in displacement of 2935 cubic centimeters. The engine block is made of stronger and lighter Compacted Graphite Iron (as compared to lower strength aluminum or heavier grey cast iron) to optimize engine packaging, weight, refinement and performance.

Here’s more from the Hella KGaA Hueck & Company press release issued today:

“GM strives to build the best cars and trucks in the world, and the leadership and employees of Hella represent what it takes to make GM’s products successful,” said Bo Andersson, GM Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “We honor these companies at the North American International Auto Show to remind the industry and the public of the critical role our suppliers play in developing GM vehicles globally.”

This is the sixth year GM has honored suppliers at the North American International Auto Show. The supplier awards recognize a suppliers’ performance in quality, cost and delivery, as well as contributions to production and concept vehicles GM unveils at the NAIAS.

“This important recognition by one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers is quite an honor for our company and our employees,” said Dr. Raymund Heinen, president of Hella Lighting North America. “It underscores our commitment to providing high-quality lighting products and developing new, innovative technologies for our customers.”

Hella, a global supplier, develops and manufactures components and systems for lighting and electronics for the automotive industry, including advanced driver-assistance systems enhancing safety and comfort. In addition, its joint-venture companies produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle-electric systems. Hella is also one of the world’s largest companies selling automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries. Annual consolidated sales for the Hella Group total $4.4 billion.

Hella is one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. More than 24,000 people are employed in 70 production facilities, production subsidiaries and joint-venture companies. Nearly 2,900 Hella engineers and technicians work in research and development. Customers include all of the world’s leading automakers and system manufacturers, as well as the automotive aftermarket.

Additional information is available at www.hella.com.

Source: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.

Boomerang Enterprises has teamed up with General Motors to offer their full line of distinctive soft spare tire covers and hybrid rigid face tire covers for the Hummer H2 and the Hummer H3 to North American Hummer dealers. “Boomerang is the only licensed supplier for soft and hybrid spare tire covers. Therefore, they are the only supplier authorized by GM to distribute trademarked product for these types of covers.” states Diane Mahoney, General Motors Licensing Manager. The licensed products include Boomerang soft vinyl tire covers, including their patented reflective print tire covers, as well as their unique line of hybrid rigid face tire covers for Hummer H2 and H3 vehicles.

Since 1995, Boomerang Enterprises, Inc has been an automotive accessories manufacturer specializing in designing, manufacturing and selling custom rear mounted tire covers to both automotive dealerships and manufacturers. Within a few years of entering the market, Boomerang became the leading supplier by innovating new product concepts in a market that had seen little innovation historically. “Other players have consistently attempted to copy our innovations, but generally fall short,” states Gene Fischer, VP of Sales and Marketing.

Boomerang’s rigid face tire covers are truly a hybrid between traditional vinyl tire covers and all plastic covers. Christopher Fischer, President, states, “We developed and perfected this versatile line of tire covers over a number of years and officially launched the product in 2005.” The covers are unique in that they are constructed of a durable UV resistant, thermoformed ABS plastic face that is sewn to a heavy duty vinyl side band that stretches around the tire’s tread. Customers love the versatility of these covers. A dealer can order the tire cover in standard black textured version or in a color matched painted version. “Both options look great on the back of any Hummer, come with our standard 3 year warranty, and like all of our products, can be customized with dealer logos,” according to Jessica Flynn, Creative Director. There is even an option for a stainless steel painted or unpainted ring if the customer requests it.

Boomerang’s multi-step painting process is top quality. Each tire cover is properly prepped, base coated, and clear coated resulting in a very attractive tire cover. “Boomerang uses only top of the line, premium PPG automotive paint and unlike any of our competition, we have a proprietary screen printing process that permanently seals the printed graphics under the clear coat giving the painted Hummer tire cover a very impressive and durable finish,” states Christopher Fischer.

Check out the site here: www.hummertirecovers.com

This hybrid SUV will use a modified version of GM’s 2-mode hybrid system and plug-in technology, a Lithium Ion battery pack when ready, highly efficient electronics and powerful electric motors to achieve significant increases in fuel economy.

The Saturn VUE is a mid-size crossover SUV from General Motors’ Saturn marque. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform.

The VUE was introduced for the 2002 model year and was designed by Saturn. It is manufactured at the Spring Hill Saturn plant. Its unibody platform is shared with the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and the European Opel Antara.

Four-cylinder VUEs use the Ecotec I4. The L81 V6 from the L-Series and 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic transmission were initially offered, but starting in 2004, all 6-cylinder VUEs were equipped with the 250 hp (186 kW) Honda-manufactured L66 engine and a Honda transmission. The four-cylinder VUE was available with the VTi continuously-variable transmission (CVT) until GM canceled it for 2005.

The VUE received a facelift for the 2006 model year. Upgrades included a redesigned interior with higher-quality materials, a new bumper and grille, and some minor cosmetic pieces to the exterior. OnStar is now standard as well as cruise control and automatic headlights.

“GM has begun work on a Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid production vehicle,” said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. “The technological hurdles are real, but we believe they are also surmountable. I can’t give you a production date for our plug-in hybrid today. But I can tell you that this is a top priority program for GM, given the huge potential it offers for fuel-economy improvement.”

A plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle differs from non-plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles by offering extended electric-only propulsion, additional battery capacity and the ability to be recharged from an external electrical outlet.

Saturn introduced a special high-performance line of vehicles in 2004 under the name, “Red Line”. The VUE Red Line includes the 250 hp (186 kW) L66 V6 and sportier suspension tuning for performance. 18 in alloy wheels, ground-effect front bumpers, chrome exhaust tips, special black leather and suede seats, footwell lighting, and a special gauge cluster complete the visual updates. It also includes some special interior features as well, like a built in pencil sharpener and a better audio system.

The Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid is expected to offer electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles. At higher speeds or when conditions demand it, such as brisk acceleration, a combination of engine and electric power or engine power only will propel the vehicle.

In addition to plug-in capabilities and the modified 2-mode hybrid system, the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid SUV’s powertrain will feature Lithium Ion battery technology, two interior permanent magnet motors and GM’s 3.6L V-6 gasoline engine with direct injection.

When ready for production, the Lithium Ion energy storage system will be replenished when the battery charge is depleted to a specified level by utilizing the 2-mode hybrid system’s electric motors and regenerative braking systems. When the vehicle is parked, the battery can be recharged using a common household exterior 110-volt plug-in outlet.

The high-performance VUE Red Line was joined for 2007 by an environmentally-oriented Green Line model. The VUE is a mild hybrid, or assist hybrid, using what GM calls a “belt alternator starter” (BAS) system. A large electric motor is connected to the crankshaft via a special accessory drive belt, with a modified automatic transmission fitted.

It automatically stops the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt and instantly restarts it when the vehicle must move again. Not to be confused as just a “start-stop” system, the electric motor also assists somewhat in acceleration, though not to the extent that Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system does. A Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery located under the load floor powers the electric motor, as well as collects and stores regenerative braking energy. The NiMH also provides some electric assist to the engine during steady driving, further improving fuel economy. The regenerative charging and electric motor assist functions are shown to the driver via an analog gauge on the dash board, and real-time fuel-economy feedback is accomplished via an “eco” light that glows when the instantaneous fuel economy is beating the window sticker fuel economy values.

The fuel savings are 20%, up from the base vehicle’s 22/27 mpg city/highway sticker to 27/32 mpg, the highest highway fuel economy of any SUV. The Green Line has a 170 hp 2.4 L Ecotec dual cam-phaser engine which replaces the standard 144 hp 2.2 L engine, resulting in the improvement of 0-60 mph acceleration time by 1.0 seconds.

The Green Line version costs about US$2,000 more than a similarly-equipped VUE, and debuted in production form on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show. The Green Line went on sale in fall 2006.

The 2-mode hybrid system will be altered for use with plug-in technology. It maintains two driving modes – one for city driving, the other for highway driving – and four fixed mechanical gears to maximize efficiency while maintaining performance. In addition, special controls will be utilized to enable higher speeds during electric-only propulsion and maintain electric-only propulsion for longer periods of time.

The Saturn Vue Green Line SUV, featuring the modified 2-mode hybrid system with plug-in capabilities, is part of GM’s ambitious effort to offer consumers a broad choice of hybrid systems at various levels of affordability:

* This year, the GM Hybrid system, an affordable belt-alternator starter hybrid technology, debuted in the Vue Green Line front-wheel-drive SUV.

* In 2007, the GM Hybrid system will expand to the Saturn Aura Green Line and Chevrolet Malibu front-wheel-drive midsize sedans.

* In 2007, the 2-mode hybrid system will debut in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size SUVs. Rear-wheel and four-wheel drive will be offered.

* In 2008, the 2-mode hybrid system will expand to the Cadillac Escalade full-size SUV and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra crew cab full-size pickups. The Escalade will offer all-wheel drive, while the Silverado and Sierra will offer rear-wheel and four-wheel drive.

* In 2008, the first front-wheel-drive application of the 2-mode hybrid system, will debut – without plug-in technology – in the Vue Green Line. The Vue Green Line will offer customers a choice of the GM Hybrid system or the 2-mode hybrid system.

* In 2009, an electric all-wheel-drive, 2-mode hybrid system will be introduced in the Vue Green Line.

“GM plans to introduce a new hybrid system annually for the next several years, each offering different levels of affordability, fuel savings and performance,” said Tom Stephens, GM group vice president, GM Powertrain. “This strategy will allow more consumers to benefit from our hybrid technologies, while providing the opportunity to reduce our country’s petroleum consumption.”

GM is committed to a comprehensive and cost-effective, three-tiered advanced propulsion technology strategy focused on producing commercially viable and sustainable products. These include alternative fuel vehicles, ongoing improvements to conventional internal combustion engines and transmissions, the electrification of the automobile through a broad portfolio of hybrid models on high-volume car and truck platforms, and commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 318,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit , GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall.