General Motors Light-Duty Diesels Hinted Again – Just A Matter Of Time?
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With both Ram and Ford raising the bar on fuel economy, General Motors’ light-duty trucks are going to be at a competitive disadvantage in the coming months. This disadvantage won’t last long with GM poised to bring a half-ton diesel engine to the market.
GM’s Steve Kiefer, vice president of global powertrain, recently told Automotive News they are looking at bringing a diesel to the market. With their stable of diesel engines and a 4.5L V8 diesel already designed, GM could answer the growing MPG race quickly in their light-duty Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups.
“We are looking closely at diesel entrees in that segment,” Kiefer said. “In fact, I heard the term ‘dust off’ that 4 1/2-liter at one point. That is certainly one of the options. Clearly, we have a portfolio of diesel engines.”
A 4.5L Duramax V8 diesel was developed before the company went into bankruptcy in 2009 and was subsequently shelved. Dusting it off and adding some modern improvements like reducing displacement and adopting new friction-reduction technologies. But it’s been so long, we wonder if perhaps the upcoming 2.8L Duramax could serve as a possible replacement.
Whichever direction GM decides to go, trucks getting more MPGs are a win for consumers who are tired of pumping hundreds of dollars of gas into their trucks. If they can afford the up-front premiums.
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About time y’all posted it.. I had it on the forums for nearly a week lol..
But on topic, it’s about time.. Ram is getting all the glory out a motor that was designed by GM. I like to see it still be a v8 but hopefully we get some concrete info…
I think GM should think about offering both engines, the 2.8l as a mid ranger and 4.5l as a top of the line engine. I also hope they don’t carry an a huge premium over the 5.3 or the 6.2
The real issue here is the real gains are limited as we have seen in the Ram. Also the cost is greater for all Diesels as with the new regulations they are just damn expensive to build.
These smaller diesels also have a limited market as most Diesel buyers want the bigger truck in most cases as they want torque and a lot of it and they want a big truck to use it.
I want them to offer the 1/2 ton Diesel with no question but I am also realistic to know that this is not going to be a major segment leader by any means.
I still expect GM to do a Turbo V6 at some point as torque is great and flat and the marketing edge is even greater. Ford has convinced people the Ecoboost is the greatest thing ever and got them paying $1200 more for it. We know while the torque curve is better the MPG is not all that better. But the profits still roll in.
But whe you looking at Ram they are upping there production because the demand for them is higher than they perceived.
It is higher than they expected but still small in the big picture of the number of trucks they are selling in total.
this is why I believe GM should build it as there is a segment there but don’t go putting all your cards money on this number as the market is still limited. Price is going to be the greatest stumbling block.
This is a model if it had come out 10 years ago might had done better as Diesel engines were less expensive pre government regulations increase.
The way to the future will include Diesel but not depend fully on Diesel as the answer.
The greatest danger in this country to the future of the Diesel engine is our own government as they treat Ebola with more respect. If we could treat it like the Euro Union we could make headway with it. I would not be surprised if states like California and NY will in time make rules that will prevent them being sold.
Like I said I am not against the engine but it has some great challenges in public perception and government regulation to over come that puts an expensive price on it.
I will warn now the Colorado Diesel will not be cheap and many will not be happy with the price it will be. Now in Europe it would be much cheaper and sell much better.
Just watch the new 2015 Ford F150 with the HOT 2.7 v6 EcoBoost take the market by storm with its impressive 375 ft lbs torque that kicked the Ram EcoDiesel ass in a 7000 lbs tow competition that also beat the GM 5.3 v8… And it only costs $495 vs $4000 for a Diesel.
Plus when the EPA reports the 2.7 Ford gets 27 MPG it will kill the Diesels…!!!
And early reviews by auto critics are Praising the 2.7 for power n smoothness…. Game Changer!!!!!
Do u live in dearborn or just work there?
Fords ecoboost engines aren’t getting the mileage they’re claiming they get. Yes I would like to see a powerful 4 cylinder diesel in a 1/2 ton pickup and a optional 6 cylinder diesel. Withe the right rear end and a great transmission a 4 banger diesel would do most folks just right even towing a trailer.
This news is months old…
Greg is a fan boy and a little over the top. But the Ecoboost has already done well and will continue to do well. It is not a bad engine and the marketing has done wonders for the engine.
GM had and still has a better Turbo DI engine but they do so little to market the engines that few people really know GM has it. The Ecotec Turbo 4 is one of the best turbo 4 engines out there and has been since 2008. The new 3.6 TT V6 is better than the Ford but GM almost acts like they are hiding it as I bet most do not even know Cadillac offers it.
I own a Ecotec Turbo and just love the engine and I was in no way a turbo fan. It has won me over with 315 FT LBS of torque from 2.0 liters.
The 2.7 v6 EcoBoost is a Game Changing engine because of its high 375 ft lbs of torque, flat power curve and instant responsiveness. Plus it’s a breakthru using CGI in a composite engine block that is very durable!!!
Fords patented EcoBoost technology n engine controls is what keeps the competition years behind…. Did u see Fords 1L 3 cylinder EcoBoost Won engine of the year for 3 years in a row… The 2.7 will be next…!!!
EcoBoost beats diesel because it performs like one at lower cost and on regular gas…. Game Changer!!!!!!
PS. I bought thousands of shares of Ford (F) stock at $1.50 in 2008 in my Roth IRA… That’s why Im a fan… Smart!
Most people who are using a half ton, tow under 10k pounds with it. Instead of losing half your fuel economy with gasoline, you lose much less with diesel.
Scott, all Greg need to do is go to TruckTrend.com ,they tested a 2015 F150 Crew Cab 2.7 and only manage to get 16.9 mpg ,they made a lot of excuses about it, but they still only average 16.9.
To be fair the Ford is a good engine but to be honest it is not the slam dunk he likes to claim.
To be creditable on the web you still have to keep honesty a part of your opinion. Give credit where credit is due and then you can be taken seriously when you need to lay it on the line with the harsh truth.
One thing that will become apparent with some more time is these engines can be given more power very easily and relative cheap. They have the ability to add some boost with no damage but you have to use your head and be reasonable. If not you will break parts. My Eco is up to 23 PSI with the GM upgrade and nary an issue and a full warranty. I added 55 HP with just 3 bar maps two maps and a flash.
He is correct on the flat torque curve as I hit 315 FT LBS at 1800 RPM and can hold it to 5300 RPM. The Solstice can do 340 FT LBS in the same range with the stronger transmission.
The MPG ratings for ALL vehicles by the EPA is under a consistent lab environment that projects the best possible rated MPG.
Ram’s high MPG is based on. Regular cab 4×2 with 6′ bed tonneau cover 17″ wheels n skinny tires to achieve either 25 mpg with gas v6 or the 28 mpg EcoDiesel. “Your mileage WILL vary”
The preliminary mpg by truck trend was in a SuperCrew with 4×4 and 4 passengers n 6.5′ bed…. Pretty max configuration with “Lead Foot” journalist pounding the truck…!!!
So 16.9 mpg is not bad considering…!!
We tested the ram ecodiesel and had no problem averaging 30mpg on the highway.
16.9 mpg on the highway with a 2015 half ton is disgusting.
Affordability is of course important when we choose our vehicles. “Everyone” mostly buys more vehicle than they need. If you are going to spend your hard earned dollars on a new set of wheels, it might as well be toward the vehicle that your budget and taste desire. I once had an old timer tell me about a guy asking him how he justified buying a new JD tractor. His answer? “Don’t have to”. That same thinking might work in this discussion. Buy what you like, rather it makes sense to (everyone) or not. It’s your money.
I have never owned a Chrysler anything. Never even thought about it. Have had one Ford, several GM’s and the last six have been Toyota’s. All trucks. I recently drove a mildly equipped 1/2 ton Ram diesel. The short version… (Very) nice rig. All that low rpm grunt. I’ve been in several of GM’s diesel equipped trucks. They too are very nice, for someone that needs that much truck. I don’t.
The choice to buy a light duty diesel involves more than economics. The upfront cost. The fuel. The maintenance. Yep. They all cost more when compared to a gasoline version. Some people will feel it is worth the extra cost. (Ask Ram). The “feel” of a diesel equipped truck is different. The same way the feel of a Vette is different. Or your favorite fishing pole. Or your favorite T.V. chair. We (all) are good at justifying what we want. Some people are, perhaps, :~)) a little too abrasive at what (they) think other people should want. Pride and tact need to work together.
I’m still gonna wait for Baby Max to arrive next year, because I simply have no need for a full size truck. And then, I’m gonna hope someone ask me how I justified such a purchase. I’ve been waiting a very long time to borrow my old friend’s quote.
Hope someone at GM reads this:
I will not buy a diesel 1/2 ton with less than 4.5L displacement. Nissan will have 5.0l from a legendary company….
If I’m paying a $6000 premium over a gas motor, I want TQ that stomps all over a 6.2 and gets 26-27 mpg.
Huge Ford fan here but if GM decides to b different which they should and b the only v8 diesel in the half ton trucks i will b buying one!
GM is being so stupid right now o ya lets make a dumb quarter ton piece of junk and put a diesel in it even though we know dam well if we put a diesel in our 1500s they’d fly off the lots o wait why did we go bankrupt o wait I know cause we don’t give our customers what they want and need. Hey GM you got less then a year before I’m due for new truck you better offer a 1500with a diesel or I’ll be just ANOTHER customer that gone. Ram ecodiesel here I possibley come.
To those that want the. V8 or 4.5 litre or larger go buy a 2500 if you want lots of power or a big v8 if you want to drag race it. 3 liters is enough because it has a turbo. Ask Ford that’s why they downsized their ecoboost.
Chev lost my 1500 business when Ram bested the mileage of my 4.8 has by 50% with its 3 liter. Both engines has adequate power and I’ll drive my 3500 when I need a real truck. I wanted car mileage and the ability to haul or tow moderate loads and the ram does it in spades. My wife’s Acadia 4×4 get about what my ecodiesel does when I tow my 3000lb boat. Or 12l per 100km and without the boat I’m between 8 and 9 liters per 100. Ram hit the nail right on the head and as well the diesel tuners are just starting on this VM engine.
Make a heavy half ton with the 4.5l duramax. It would be good competition with the cummins Nissan Titan XD.