Right on the heels of the unveiling of the Holden Commodore-based Pontiac G8 (and the eager expectations of North American enthusiasts of a whole family of Zeta-based rear-drive models across GM’s divisions), suddenly, our friend Mr. Lutz is downplaying expectations of future rear-drive models.

Right on the heels of the unveiling of the Holden Commodore-based Pontiac G8 (and the eager expectations of North American enthusiasts of a whole family of Zeta-based rear-drive models across GM’s divisions), suddenly, our friend Mr. Lutz is downplaying expectations of future rear-drive models. The ostensible culprit is tightening government fuel economy standards coming in 2017, which call for a 30-percent improvement in fuel economy over current standards.

Granted, 30 percent is a significant amount, but not so insurmountable as to warrant cancelling a rear-drive development program altogether. I believe GM, and its legions of fans in North America, can have their cake and eat it, too. However, we may have to adjust our expectations somewhat. Rather than the thrum of a traditional small-block, we might have to trade off for the clickety-clack and whine of a turbodiesel. Granted, I’ll admit there’s nothing like the sound and power of a good ol’ American V-8. But if you can get similar power with 30 percent or better fuel economy from a breathed-on oil-burner, why not?

The pieces are already in place. GM recently announced the upcoming availability of a state-of-the-art turbodiesel V-6 sourced from VM Motori in the Euro-market Caddy CTS. This little 2.9 liter jewel will crank out 250 horsepower and a healthy 400 lb./ft. of twist. Need a little more juice? With its iron block, it shouldn’t be a big deal to punch or stroke it out to 3.5 liters or so, and up to 300-ish horses and 450 lb./ft. Now we’re talkin’. Combine that with a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual, and you’ve got yourself one potent performance combination that promises to deliver well over 30 miles per gallon on the highway, with plenty of punch. Heck, even the standard 2.9 would probably be enough to please all but the most power-hungry enthusiasts (which, of course, includes yours truly).

Aside from its full-size trucks, it seems GM has been one of the most reluctant of the OEMs to embrace clean diesels for North American passenger cars. Perhaps it is still haunted by the baggage of the notoriously troublesome Oldsmobile diesels of the ’80s. Three words for you, General: Get over it. Those old enough to remember are probably willing to let bygones be bygones, and many present-day drivers were likely still in diapers or kindergarten at the time.

While GM should definitely continue work on the Volt and similar concepts, there’s no reason it should pull the plug on the promising Zeta platform when the hardware exists in its global empire to piece together a fun-to-drive, economical big sedan that will still keep the CAFE bureaucrats happy.

–Edward A. Sanchez