GM Shelves Vortec Engine Family Name, Introduces “EcoTec3” Family In New Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra
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As the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks erupted out of their boxes during this morning’s media presentation, the world was also introduced to an all-new engine family. While still quiet on power output and fuel economy, GM disclosed their sizes — with the smallest engine being a 4.3L V6, the middle being a 5.3L V8, and the largest being a 6.2L V8 engine; all familiar sizes to those who know GM trucks, despite each engine being all-new. One would think they would continue the Vortec engine family name, but GM’s truck development team went with an all-new name: EcoTec3 — not to be confused with Ecotec, a family of four cylinders.
We’re not sure how to feel about this. When we asked Chris Perry, VP of Chevrolet Marketing, he explained that the new engine name is meant to reflect the several mileage-boosting elements of the engines, such as variable valve timing, direct injection, and cylinder deactivation. But since your input matters to us, we would like to know what you think of the name change. Is it welcome? Or is it a big gamble?
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Personally I think each engine family should have a distinct name, rather than slapping the same name across several different lines of engines that share no common basics. Ecotec is now a family of iron block engines from Daewoo cars, an aluminum block engine debuted in 2001 and a new lineup of engines from 2012. Now it’s a line of truck engines. All of these engines are in production at the same time! Very confusing to know which family someone is talking about especially when they share displacements.
@Mike: “Ecotec is now a family of iron block engines from Daewoo cars,”
The trade mark “Ecotec” had been registered by Opel in 1992. Daewoo became GM from 1998 on.
Besides, there is or was also a V6 Ecotec engine, used e.g. in a Holden VS Commodore. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_VS_Commodore
Interesting that the 4.3L in V-4 mode and the 5.3L in V-4 mode have approximately the same displacement, someone figured out how many cubic inches it takes to push a truck along a flat road at 65 mph…i think is is only circumstance that the old 4.3L and the new one share displacement size.
Anyone got any guesses on MPG? 25+?
they said it would be best in class for naturally aspirated V6. Dodge is at 25 highway with V6 2WD/8 speed auto. (but wouldnt that be best in class for all full size pickups?)
Where’s the barf emoticon? This ain’t a ****** Prius. Idiots. 🙂
Where’s the barf emoticon? This ain’t a ****** Prius. 🙂
So are they any different from the vortec engines?
The EcoTec3 engines are all new, despite the displacement remaining the same.
gotcha
NOTHING GM builds will beat the Vortec engines…..it was their best by far and if this is “all new” that means they are not Vortec….sorry folks
No displacements are the same as now, minus the 4.8l V8 it’s more of a marketing thing, “Ecotech3”. GM has VVT and AFM in their vehicles but was not seen and a significant improvement as well as the paired 6-speed. Thing is Ram and Ford have the 8-speed transmissions, Eco-boost engines and all the other mechanical and economical claims that make their vehicles more efficient in power and fuel economy. Like Ford has the V6 Eco-boost that has 365hp and is a 3.5l, apparently achieving 17/23 MPG. That kinda blows a away the common GM 5.3l V8, 315hp with 15/21 MPG. So GM is really behind as far. Now, I’m not dissing GM my dad works at the Arlington GM assembly plant and I myself drive a GMC. This is smart for GM to stick with what they know in simple steps.
I had the F150 Ecoboost 3.5L…it was all boost and not much eco. I now have the Chevy 5.3L Ecotec and the Ford would eat it’s lunch on the 1/4 mile. I get about 19mpg in mixed driving from both.
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. It’s all marketing. And those clowns have to justify their existence somehow.
Well I wished they kept Vortec.. Ecotec3 name for a truck doesn’t sound manly to me.. Maybe for a car like an Impala or Cruze.. But I liked Vortec a lot more.. Well it’s not really what an engine is named but what it can do.. I like to be perfectionist when it comes to building a great truck..Just think they over thought this too much…
its all marketing, when someone test drives a truck with an ecotec3 they are thinking fuel efficiency and not power, then they smash the gas and they hear something that might sound like a corvette and enough torque to put a big ol smile on ur face and then bang u have power and efficiency, sold!
I would also like to know who came up with the brain dead idea for a v6 in a full size pickup
Barack Obama and his severe CAFE mandate makes them put an undersized engine in these things.
Every truck in the market offers a V6. And did so before Obama. Not sure where these conclusions are coming from…
Ignorant people, that’s where.
I’m no fan of Obama, but why would you assume that?
He’s an idiot. Every full-size on the market past and present has had a 6-cylinder base engine of some kind because of CAFE and even before that. Whoever is in office has no bearing on what the automakers offer for engine choices.
The cylinder deactivation does not work like you think, My dads 2010 Silverado with the 5.3 rarely deactivates 4 cylinders, unless your coasting or going down hill. It never deactivates while driving and the cruise set, not even on level roads.
Steve, dude wake up from fantasy land V6’s have been in full size trucks for a very long time…
If you want to make rediculous comments can I recommend autoblog.com, you can join a whole slew of morons and there ignorant comments and have an excellent audience.
EcoTec3? Whomever came up with this and those that signed off on it should be fired. This is unacceptable branding for full size pick-ups.
Also, they should have altered the displacements just enough to break free of the old engines. When people here 4.3L V6 they think of the same old engine, even when in reality it likely shares nothing?
I must say I’m disappointed with the change. I understand that everybody in the industry is being pressured to be ‘hip’ and ‘green’ (vomit.gif) but there was equity in the Vortec name, and I feel it was a major misstep to shelve it.
I agree, they should have just stuck with the Vortec name. This new name sounds wimpy and reminds me of the ecotec i4.
part of the plan might be just that, in the end after the truck is driven people say dam, that eco whatever v8 really hauls ass!! a v8 is a v8 gm didnt spend 900 million and 5 years of engineering and testing to make some half ass eco engine for there trucks, the engines are tried n true torque hungry fuel sipping pieces of engineering that will exceed every past generation..
Looks as if the accessory drives for the 8&6 are identical. Oil filters are on opposite sides, unique parts no additional cost.
luckily for GM, most people don’t care whats under the hood as long as it’s reliable, fuel efficient and and can get out of it’s own way.
Ecotec3 GM? yeah what ever…
The engine name is not really important folks, but those hp, lb-ft and mpg numbers.
Very poor choice for a line of truck engines! GM has to stop being so politically correct and step out on the limb sometimes. Hemi, EcoBoost are at least more fitting, manly, beat on my chest names. EcoTec3, jesus this is not a space ship here they are trying to appeal to MEN for the most part……they should have surveyed a diverse group of men for the apropriate name. GM needs to take more chances. Where are the in bed storage boxes like Ram has! Where are all of the diverse trim packages that Ford offers? Where are the two tone paint options? Where is the only diesel engine in half ton pickups, primarily for mpg? Where is a revelutionary powertrain for big big gains in mpg and efficiency? Hybrid? Mostly electric like Volt? Although these 2014 trucks are a step in the right direction they certainly did not go for the jugular of the other three brands, disappointing since I am an avid long time GM fan. I have owned Chevy pickups since 1983. GM you need to step out on the limb more often, your offerings and decisions are too safe most of the time. The main exception to that statement is the Volt, good job on that vehical and I wish you the best in its success.
100,000 thumbs up to Aldo’s comment. My thoughts almost word-for-word.
the name sounds deceiving but who cares honestly its what the engine can do, all these engines will be a much better improvement over the vortec in terms of power and efficiency, if they didnt change the name it would have most people thinking its the same ol 5.3 with some new fuel injection system.. its all marketing and in this day its a race for fuel efficiency, and in a truck case power and fuel economy, so why not give them a eco something name to market them as eco friendly engines for people who want fuel efficiency and power, and any true fan of GM trucks knows any v8 under the hood of a silverado/sierra is a great engine despite what there called, and we all know GM builds some of the most durable and reliable V8 engines in the world, and now one of the most efficient 🙂