General Motors has plans to continuously update the current generation full-size, K2XX pickup trucks throughout their model life cycle in order to stay competitive with Ford’s all new 2015 F-150 and other products from Ram. This will start when the 2015 model year trucks with the 6.2-liter V8 receive the GM-developed 8L90E eight-speed automatic transmission. After that, a new Duramax diesel engine may be on offer, if new spy shots are any indication.
Pickuptrucks.com’s spy photographers said the prototype trucks they spotted were fitted with an upgraded version of its 6.6-liter V8 Duramax turbo diesel engine. The purpose of upgrading the engine is to presumably help bring the fight to Ford, who recently introduced a new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine  producing 440 horsepower and 860 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Duramax’s current output of 397 horsepower and 760 lb-ft.
Sources say better turbos will be installed and software upgrades will be made to the Duramax engine in time for the 2016 model year, though exact performance specifications are currently unknown. A Ford F-350 fitted with the new 6.7-liter Powerstroke engine was seen testing with two prototypes, indicating that GM may want to match its power by taking its Duramax to a least 420 horsepower and over 800 lb-ft of torque.
Apart from the engine, the prototype truck was also seen with a new functional air intake on the hood. This may be to improve airflow and cooling to the engine and thus improve performance in hot weather or when running for extended periods of time. More information on engine and other updates to GM’s full-size pickups will be available in the future.
Comments
Here is another case of just don’t assume nothing is coming just because you did not hear about It.
Watch out power stroke, here comes the new duramax
I’m very happy to hear this! Good job GM.
It’s about time…!!
GM has been asleep in the HD truck market while Ford n Ram duke it out n raise the bar way beyond GMs trucks…!
Then the all new aluminum Ford Super Duties come out in a year with greatest capabilities and next gen Power Stroke that will take GM n Ram at least 4 years to catch up.. Sorry GM…!!!
Look like some of Manoli’s predictions are coming true.
Sam McEachern, why doesnt GM use the old Oldsmobile 4.0LDOHC V-8 engine for a diesel paired with twin turbos for their 1/2 tons pickups? the same for their 6.6, add DOHC and/or twin turbos and crank up the power to close to 500, be the first truck maker to break 1000 lb/ft of torque? maybe with gas engines, increase displacement 5.3 to 5.5 and 6.2 to 6.5 with a longer crank or rods.