Engaged in a testosterone-laced Heavy-Duty powerplant war with Dodge and Ford, GM’s latest Duramax engine is more powerful, more efficient and more refined than ever. The numbers? How about 397 horsepower and 765 lb.-ft of manly American turbodiesel torque?
Available in the Sierra and Silverado HD, this engine helps confidently tow loads approaching 22,000 lbs. and tackle over 6,600 lbs. of payload. There’s even an exhaust or ‘Jake’ brake.
Question is, do you need a Duramax diesel engine in your next Heavy Duty Chevy or GMC?
Our Justin Pritchard recently spoke to GM’s Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Product Manager, Craig Couch, for the scoop on the $9,700 engine option.
J.P.: The Duramax engine and Allison Transmission combination is an $11,000 option. Who should consider the investment?
C.C.: This can be a better choice than gas powertrains for those customers who will use their truck to regularly tow loads over 10,000 pounds, haul up grades, experience altitude, or expect quick, high torque acceleration.
A turbocharged diesel is more efficient than a gas engine due to the energy density of the fuel and because of a higher pressure combustion cycle. Diesel has 17% more energy per litre than gasoline.
For diesel customers, the payback of the initial option comes in the form of better fuel efficiency, far greater pulling torque, designed-in powertrain durability that is greater than that of a comparable gas powertrain, and vastly improved idle fuel consumption—all of which leads to lower life cycle operating costs and improved resale.
Other benefits include the option to operate with up to a B20 (20%) biodiesel fuel, diesel-only features like the Duramax exhaust brake which helps with tow control and brake life, and an emissions after-treatment system that has lower hydrocarbon, CO2, and nitrate exhaust than gasoline engines
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| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ 2011 (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Available in the Sierra and Silverado HD, this engine helps confidently tow loads approaching 22,000 lbs. and tackle over 6,600 lbs. of payload. There’s even an exhaust or ‘Jake’ brake.
Question is, do you need a Duramax diesel engine in your next Heavy Duty Chevy or GMC?
Our Justin Pritchard recently spoke to GM’s Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Product Manager, Craig Couch, for the scoop on the $9,700 engine option.
J.P.: The Duramax engine and Allison Transmission combination is an $11,000 option. Who should consider the investment?
C.C.: This can be a better choice than gas powertrains for those customers who will use their truck to regularly tow loads over 10,000 pounds, haul up grades, experience altitude, or expect quick, high torque acceleration.
A turbocharged diesel is more efficient than a gas engine due to the energy density of the fuel and because of a higher pressure combustion cycle. Diesel has 17% more energy per litre than gasoline.
For diesel customers, the payback of the initial option comes in the form of better fuel efficiency, far greater pulling torque, designed-in powertrain durability that is greater than that of a comparable gas powertrain, and vastly improved idle fuel consumption—all of which leads to lower life cycle operating costs and improved resale.
Other benefits include the option to operate with up to a B20 (20%) biodiesel fuel, diesel-only features like the Duramax exhaust brake which helps with tow control and brake life, and an emissions after-treatment system that has lower hydrocarbon, CO2, and nitrate exhaust than gasoline engines
 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ 2011 (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |