General Motors Corp. said today it will introduce its 18th North American model with a more fuel efficient direct injection engine.

The new 2010 GMC Terrain, a sport utility vehicle, will get an estimated 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Other models with direct injection include the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan, the 2010 Chevy Camaro, the redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX and the 2010 Chevy Equinox crossover. In total, GM will offer eight distinct DI engines offered in 38 vehicle models around the world in 2010.

GM will unveil the Terrain today at the New York International Auto Show.

“Direct injection is a near-term solution — along with hybrids and biofuels like E85 — that fits well within GM’s current portfolio, but our strategy envisions mid- and long-term powertrain solutions that will ultimately reduce vehicle emissions to zero, increase fuel efficiency dramatically and displace petroleum as the primary energy source,” said GM’s vice chairman for global development Tom Stephens.

GM’s direct injected engines reduce cold-start vehicle emissions by 25 percent by making it easier to start. Starting a cold vehicle is one of the highest-emissions actions of a vehicle.

Automakers face growing pressure to improve fuel efficiency. Congress in 2007 mandated at least a 40 percent increase in fleet-wide fuel efficiency by 2020 to an average of 35 mpg. The first new requirements under the law start in the 2011 model year.

The 2010 Terrain is based on the same underpinnings as the Chevrolet Equinox and Cadillac SRX. The vehicle will go on sale later this summer.



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