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FOR RELEASE: May 8, 2003 CONTACT(S):
General Motors Announces First Vehicles To Feature Displacement On Demand 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, GMC Envoy XUV To Use Fuel-Saving Technology
WASHINGTON - General Motors has announced that the 2005 GMC Envoy XL, Envoy XUV and Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT will be the first vehicles to showcase its innovative Displacement on Demand fuel-saving technology. The announcement was made here today at a media briefing highlighting GM's short-term, mid-term, and long-term advanced technologies that benefit the environment and GM's business. Displacement on Demand will be a standard feature in the vehicles' optional Vortec 5300 V-8 engine. The more efficient engine will boost the fuel efficiency of these vehicles by about 8 percent (based on an EPA testing procedure). In addition, GM previously announced it will introduce this technology as part of a new overhead-valve V-6 family of engines in some 2006 mid-size passenger cars. By 2008, more than two million vehicles with the V-8 and V-6 engines will feature Displacement on Demand. Both customers and the environment will benefit from the engines' improved fuel economy. In addition, GM owners won't have to sacrifice superior engine performance and power to go farther on a tank of gas. "Displacement on Demand will enhance fuel economy without compromising performance or the ability to carry heavy loads," said Sam Winegarden, GM Powertrain chief engineer of Vortec V-8 engines. "We will be able to deliver the same top-of-the-line performance with less effort and energy. That's the essence of efficiency." Enabled by GM's powerful electronic powertrain controls, Displacement on Demand saves fuel by using only half of the engine's cylinders during most normal driving conditions. When loads are light, the control system automatically closes both intake and exhaust valves for half of the cylinders, cutting off their air and fuel supply. The valves are reopened to provide all-cylinder operation when the driver needs it for quick acceleration or for hauling heavy loads. The V-8 engine always starts on eight cylinders, and in the case of the V-6 engine, six cylinders. But once the vehicle has accelerated to speed, the engine control module activates Displacement on Demand, providing improved fuel economy through a relatively inexpensive change in displacement to meet the vehicle load requirements. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs 349,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in more than 190 countries. In 2002, GM sold more than 8.5 million cars and trucks, nearly 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's consumer website at www.gm.com .
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