4.5 Liter Duramax Remains On The Shelf
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A source close to GM’s truck project has told us that General Motors still holds no plans of launching the rumored 4.5 liter Duramax V8 diesel engine. This comes as a contrast to recent reports quoting chief engineers pondering the plans to launch the engine (though never actually claiming that GM will go forward with the plans at all).
Though the engine was an in-house project that was very close to being finished, it still is – for all intents and purposes – not going to come to market… at least to the current model offerings. Perhaps the next-generation GMC Sierra and Chevy (Chevrolet) Silverado trucks will see the engine that boasts 310 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque (with 25 percent increase in fuel economy compared to a gasoline V8) as an option.
The GM Authority Take
As the unofficial GM Authority truck guy I can say that I can agree with The General for once this time around and am perfectly okay with this. Yes, the 4.5 liter sounds great. That is until consumers have a good look at that certain omnipotent measure that really tends to heavily influence a sale: the price.
Diesel engines are not cheap, especially when it comes to the almost $8,500 extra cost for the 6.6 Duramax option in The General’s new Heavy Duty trucks. Sure, this mini Duramax could be a few grand less than the powerhouse 6.6, but who wants to fork over a (potentially) extra $6,000 for an engine option when they could instead maybe get a Sierra/Silverado Hybrid or deck out the trim level?
In all seriousness, just how many folks will actually purchase the 4.5 liter if GM decides to offer the engine? A couple thousand? It’s hard to make a case for an expensive Duramax engine if it can’t move in large volumes. However, there is currently a market segment that GM trucks do not serve. That segment is of course, off-road performance.
Sure, you could argue that the Z71 package is some sort of competitor to the Ford SVT Raptor that happens to be selling much better than anticipated. You could also argue that the Z71 can compete with the Ford’s aggressive looks, 550 horsepower engine and off-road racing suspension. You could argue these points, but you wouldn’t get very far. General Motors has a much better chance of generating sales volume by selling a true rival to the Ford SVT Raptor, for which there is an unforeseen high demand. GM can also make use of the available 403 horsepower 6.2 Vortec and 556 horsepower LSA engines. This type of truck can even pick up where Hummer left off.
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Why do diesels have to be so expensive? If you look at VW, the Jetta it costs about $1500 more for the diesel vs. the gas engine with all of today’s modern emission control equipment. Granted it is a 4 cylinder so there is 4 times everything (it is turbocharged so there is a turbo as well) vs 8 times everything. Things are a little smaller (2 times the Jetta 4 cylinder would be a 4 litre V8 vs the 4.5 the GM has developed). So, GM may be justified asking $3000 more then a typical gas engine but that is about it. Oh yea plus whatever they want for the 6 speed Alison transmission. But really if VW can do it why can’t GM.
That’s a good question Andrew. I think the main reason for the disproportionate price of GM’s diesel trucks compared to a diesel Jetta is all the fortifying materials that make these vehicles “tough”. The Jetta doesn’t have to haul or carry anything of significance while a truck needs to be able to withstand significant loads. So all the extra material and equipment – besides the engine – may cost a significant amount to not only produce but to engineer.
However, it’s a known fact that GM’s (and Ford’s) truck based product carry huge margins so it may not be a cost issue at all. Instead, it may be that GM (and Ford) are trying to position their diesel offerings as premium products. What do you think?
I mostly agree with your assessment Alex. However the huge margins in durability and safety of the three quarter ton trucks carry over to the pricing as well. Just look at trucks on dealer lots. How many basic trucks with cloth bench seats do you see? Likely none. Ford’s Harley-Davidson 2500 renditions carry virtually all the available accessories available on the options list. Trucks and heavy SUVs (including Suburbans and Expeditions) were the profit machines for the big two. One more reason I can think of is that the diesel engines for Dodge, GM and Ford are (were) all made by third party manufacturers. Extra profit cut.
I still think that GM should go ahead with the 4.5 Duramax in half tons, there is about 2 years till we see a new model. I also wonder if GM will launch half ton’s first (like usually) I heard that unlike this generation, Suburban will be launched a year later. If at least GM would launch 4.5 Duramax in a 3/4 ton’s now. I think it would be a hit, imagine getting better fuel economy then 6.6 DMAX while saving few grand on premium, not everybody needs 765 lbs. ft. of torque. One more thing, 4.5 should fully replace 6.6 in Full size vans, unless the van is 4500.
Completely with you there, Lex. If it’s ready (or almost ready), it should come out! There’s ample demand for it — as evidenced by the strong opinions on this article. I think what GM is afraid of the most is being the “odd duck” with an “odd” engine in the industry dominated by burly 6.6-6.7-6.8 liter Diesels. They’re a bit more risk-averse after the carpocalypse of 2008, given the bailout, etc. We’ll see what happens — but I’d also love to see a current-gen truck with a 4.5 DURAMAX.
It’s a good point, However, if they market it correctly it will be success. I think that people love options, and in a 3/4 ton I think about 80% would opt 4.5 over 6.6 being said that’s it’s cheaper and more efficient.
im actually not really sure why gm is balking at implementing this engine. the Duramax has more than proven itself in the 6.6 version. and as stated above there are numerous platforms that could easily make good use of this ‘mini-dmax’. 1500’s, express vans, 2500’s, all the full size suv’s, and even some of the mid size suv’s, come to think of it why not in the impala? duramax camaro? hehehe. no seriously, if GM are worried about making it worth their while to take this honey off the shelf they really shouldn’t be. I for one would LOVE a 4.5 duramax in a 1500 reg cab long box!
4.5 duramax awesome!!!!!! ^haha a duramaro lol jkjk. i think they definitely should put this into production. alex, manoli if u guys get anymore info post it pleeeeeeas
Everyone wanted the 4.5 Duramax. But the math wasn’t there. The DEF system added cost and complexity to the design, production costs would make things really expensive for the consumer, etc…
somehow i dont think the cost to the consumer would be outrageously high, though it would be there, ther is no doubt. however, they would not be detered, as the 6.6 has shown. consumers will pay a premium price for a premium product. which the 4.5 would doubtlessly be. all the research and design has already been done except to downsize what works with the 6.6 as far as the emissions stuff goes, (thank you C.A.R.B.). math smath, just cause the pile of beans in a room full of counters says it wont work doesn’t always mean it wont.
I am still convinced that the 4.5 offered as a optional engine would go over big. even a $3000.00 option
gm just have to put the right marketing to this.. consumers are paying through the nose for “green” products. it the politicaly correct thing to do. why is the $8000. tag not detering 6.6 sales? three words: Its Worth It!