OPEL IS DEBUTING its new 1.5-litre diesel engine in its largest SUV, the Grandland X.

The new 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel is more powerful and more economical than the old 1.6-litre diesel engine that it replaces. This is thanks to the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and an innovative oxidation catalyst/NOx absorber.

The new 1.5-litre engine produces 130hp and maximum torque is 300Nm at 1,750rpm. It is paired with a six-speed manual transmission and the engine is equipped with fuel-saving Start/Stop technology. This means, according to Opel, that the 1.5 Grandland X has an urban fuel consumption of 4.7 litres/100km, extra-urban of 3.9-3.8 litres/100km and combined of 4.2-4.1 litres/100km. CO2 figures are 110-108g/km (depending on the size of wheels fitted).

Opel claims that the new engine is four per cent more efficient than the old 120hp 1.6-litre engine which had fuel economy figures of 4.9-4.7 litre/100km urban, 3.9-3.5 litres/100km extra-urban and 4.3-4.0 litres/100km combined, with CO2 at 111-104 g/km.

Opel Opel

The improved fuel economy has been achieved not only via the smaller displacement but also through reduced friction, an optimised combustion system with patented piston geometry and increased exhaust gas recirculation, enabled by a high-efficiency heat exchanger.

Opel says that the 1.5-litre diesel meets strict Euro 6d-TEMP regulations for NOx emissions, so the Grandland X 1.5 -litre should be exempt from any potential urban diesel bans.

The new engine is also available with a new eight-speed automatic transmission that further reduces fuel consumption and emissions. Claimed fuel consumption is: urban 4.5-4.4 litres/100km, extra-urban 4.0-3.9 litres/100km, combined 4.2-4.1 litres/100km. CO2 is 109-108g/km, again depending on chosen wheel size.

The Grandland X is priced from €27,995 for the petrol model or €28,995 for the entry level model with this new 1.5-litre diesel engine.

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