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Opel will use the Paris Motor Show to show off its new big diesel engine, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder CDTi unit that packs a mean punch - how does 170hp and 400Nm of torque sound? The new engine replaces the outgoing 163hp diesel, and will be sold first in the Zafira Tourer next year, before spreading out to the rest of the Opel range.
Opel claims that it can squeeze more power and 14 per cent more torque from the engine, yet still reduce its emissions and fuel consumption. No official claims are being made for those figures yet, but given the tech on offer, they should me impressive. This will be one of the first diesel engines on the market to get a partially-electric turbocharger, which can spin up to speed around 20 per cent quicker thanks to electric boost. It's also a very compact turbo, with an integrated water intercooler, so any lag should be close to imperceptible.
The injection system is pretty clever too, squirting fuel into the cylinders at up to ten times per combustion cycle and doing it at a massive 2,000-bar pressure. That should give the engine terrific control over fuel burn, noise and vibration. There's a balancer shaft to smooth things out even further. Anyone thinking diesels are still unrefined and noisy should probably study the spec sheet on this pretty carefully. There's also an AdBlue injector to clean up any nitrous oxide emissions from the exhaust, ensuring that the new engine will get through the tough Euro VI emissions regulations.
Anything else?
It's all part of a massive €4 billion investment by Opel in its engine line-up - we've already seen the impressive new 1.6-litre turbodiesel in the Meriva and a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit will shortly make its debut in the Adam and the upcoming new Corsa.
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