OXE Diesel Engine Is Ready to Set Sail

For the first 2.0-liter diesel engine in the 200 horsepower outboard engine class, Opel sells the unit to Cimco Marine AB, then the Swedish company works its magic on it. Based on the 2.0-liter CDTI found in models such as the Cascada convertible, Insignia sedan, and the Zafira MPV, the marine version is good for 200 HP at 4,100 rpm and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque at 2,500 rpm.

“By selling components we are tapping into small but important market segments in which our products are very popular,” declared Alex Thielemans, Manager Components Sales at Opel. “The OXE Diesel is the perfect example. We are playing an important part in the capacity utilization of our engine production in Kaiserslautern by providing Cimco Marine AB with this engine.”

So why has the Swedish company chosen a mill from Opel and not Ford, for example? Well, I’ll let Cimco Marine AB chief exec Magnus Folin explain what's what: “The need to change from petrol to diesel was seen as necessary to reduce any fire hazards, provide a longer and more reliable product life with longer service intervals for heavy commercial use, a greater range per hour at full throttle and the increased geographical availability of diesel.”

The four-cylinder maritime powerplant needs to be serviced every 200 hours. A major overhaul is necessary after 2,000 hours. The problem with boat engines is that they run at full throttle most of the time they’re used. As such, very frequent servicing is recommended to keep things nice and tidy.

As for fuel economy, the OXE Diesel needs 43 liters of Satan’s fuel per hour. By comparison, a two-stroke outboard engine uses 73 liters. In contrast to those numbers, the Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTI drinks just 4.5 l/100 km combined.