We test the new diesel range of Opel, new 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC engine

Opel has completely renewed its mid-size diesel engine, aimed at filling an important gap in the market. We are talking about the new 1.6 CDTI powerplant, available with 110 CV or 136 CV. Both the Opel Meriva, the Zafira (136 CV) and the Astra will use this new powerplant in its two power variants.

To get to know it in detail, we spent an interesting day testing the powerplant aboard an Opel Astra and a Opel Zafira. The engine is also a major novelty because it replaces the veteran 1.7 CDTI, a tougher engine though a true institution in the Opel range for years (it will also replace the smaller versions of the 2.0 CDTI).

Aluminium block and more efficiency for the 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC

This powerplant is the first member of the new Opel ECOTEC family, It is manufactured in Europe, specifically at the GM plant in Szentgotthárd (Hungary), and was designed by a team of engineers from Turin.

This four-cylinder powerplant has a displacement of 1,598 cc, it is very square and has been designed with the aim of reducing friction, weight, noise and consumption.

It is fully developed in aluminium, which allows it to save weight, specifically 20 kilograms. It also has a timing chain (with the consequent long-term savings), incorporates high-pressure common-rail technology, closed-loop combustion control and a variable geometry turbo (to make the most of its potential).

Another important detail is that it complies with the Euro VI standard. Opel has devised two systems to combat NOx emissions, specifically a novel system for the Astra and Meriva, and another not so novel one for the Zafira based on AdBlue.

In the case of the Opel Astra and Meriva, a special catalyst has been used, called a nitrogen oxide trap (Lean NOx Technology), which is responsible for filtering these harmful elements and also requires no maintenance, just like particulate filters.

In the case of the Zafira, AdBlue is used to filter these harmful elements, and in this case there is maintenance, since the AdBlue (a urea-based solution) must be refilled. Opel has called this system BlueInjection.

Behind the wheel of the Opel Astra 1.6 CDTI with 136 CV

At the presentation of the new engines we were able to try out the new powertrain first-hand aboard an Opel Astra and, to a lesser extent, in a 136 CV Zafira. It was not a very long test and almost the entire route was motorway, but it was enough to give us an idea of how the new powerplants perform.

The first thing that stands out is the smoothness, even more so if we compare it with the previous 1.7 CDTI, which was not a paragon of smoothness, nor were the brand’s small diesels. The new 1.6 CDTI is a smooth powerplant with low noise levels.

Power delivery does not particularly stand out in terms of low-rpm response, since it does not really wake up until 1,800-2,000 rpm, but it is progressive and above 3,500 rpm it loses steam. Without doubt, the most notable feature is the refinement of the powerplant.

We will try to carry out a test to tell you in more detail about the operation of a diesel engine that represents a true evolution for the brand, and which finally debuts a proprietary, competitive engine with good characteristics to compete with the mid-size diesels on the market.

Technical specifications of this car

Passenger VanOpel Zafira4 versions · from 45,690 €