Chevrolet and GMC have held back on the work van segment for some time. While Ford has approached the situation with its “One” mantra, offering the same product across multiple markets, leading to the introduction of the Ford Transit in the U.S., General Motors has been silent.
Curiously, as Truck Trend reports, the 2017 GMC Savana and 2017 Chevy Express will both be offered with the 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine starting in the first quarter of 2017. The 2.8L will replace the 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine currently offered.
The 2.8L Duramax diesel will also be mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, marking this powertrain introduction as the first major improvement to the vans in years.
Currently, the 6.6L Duramax provides 260 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque for hauling equipment around town. The 2.8L will cut those numbers back significantly, producing 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It could pose a problem for those in need of the extra grunt to get around town. However, the weight savings from the engine and transmission combo could offset the lack of torque.
We had heard during our first drive of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax that GM was exploring other options for the 2.8L turbo-diesel, and it seems the General’s work vans are first on the list.
Comments
I’m surprised they are putting this engine in these vans. Quite a surprise if you ask me. These vans are OLD but glad to see GM is keeping them alive.
What they now need is a Van with a higher roof to better accommodate passengers—so they can get into the van comfortable instead of climbing in like groundhog into its burrow.
I’m hoping this engine change is just to keep customers interested in them till they show up with a new design.
We currently own a number of those vans with some vans(passenger) accumulating 705,000 km with little inputs,but it’s time for something a little more comfortably.(and no seating configuration like the transit–more like the sprinter).
This would seem to be underpowered in a full sized van application. Considering also that these vans are an old design they have not benefited from GM’s weight saving expertise. Also the got rid of the 1500 SWB versions of these vans so they would be putting in a 4 cyl. mill into their heaviest versions of the van.
If you have ever driven/worked out of the Nissaan NV hightop you would never consider this 40 year old design. Drivability and ease of entry/exit uncomparable. I assume the new Ford and Dodge vans are similar.
I agree that the GM twins are now outdated both in form and function.
GM let these two truck die on the vine by not investing in them post bankruptcy to prepare for a rebounding economy and increased demand for commercial trucks. Now they are so far behind that it would be at least 3 years before seeing a completely new model. By then the economy will have peaked and have begun to decline again.
It is insulting enough that GM had to be forced to buy the NV200 from Nissan instead of doing it on their own or partnering. GM could have brought over the Vivaro or Movano for NA consumption.
for small volumes, federalizing the Opels would be costly. The NV just needed a label change to test the market, I’m sure they’ll reconsider if the sales numbers justify it.
The GM vans and the Colorado/Canyon are both selling better than GM expected, now they have capacity problems at that plant. Apparently there is still a market for the traditional shape full size van, but for how long who knows. But with development and tooling costs paid up a long time ago, they’re probably making some $$$ on these vans.
I doubt many people need 800 ft lbs of torque in a van, the 2.8 will be fine. Anyone remember the old GM Step Vans that delivered junk food everywhere? Most had a old 6 cylinder and did the job they had to do.
From 1996, it’s 20 year design, not 40.
You are right but in the automotive world it might as well be 40 years.
This also makes sense because if I’m not mistaken these vans come of the same line as the Canyon and Colorado. So I guess there was a manufacturing benefit to this swap.
This engine make sense with 1500 (which is no longer produced) and 2500 vans, but not with 3500 and 4500. I don’t think that the 2.8 4 cylinder will do the job with ambulance, shuttle bus, school bus, box truck, ect. applications. It would be a mistake to phase out 6.6 completely from GM full-size vans.
Also it’s a bad sign that the baby duramax will only start production in a year. I wonder when the next generation of vans will arrive? it should of been here yesterday.
Glad to see some changes coming in 2017 to the express. Not all of us want to drive around In a ugly Euro van, and especially the Nissan NV. Will see how the Euro vans hold up in the long run, transit already has issues, Promaster is a pile, and MB has its share, My 07 3500 is ultra reliable. Glad to see Chevrolet holding out with express.. Although it is getting dated, im sure Chevrolet can make some positive changes going forward. I hear possibly some minor exterior refinements also 2017.
I imagine there will be few takers for the 2.8L Duramax in the full-sized vans. If one is replacing an old 6.5L pre-Duramax turbodiesel V-8 (which had around 360 lb-ft of torque), the 2.8L Duramax should be more than adequate. But anyone expecting the feel of a modern turbodiesel V-8 is sure to be disappointed. The 2.8L Duramax in these vans may just be a sop to the EPA to improve GM’s CAFE numbers. On the other hand, this just might a perfect application for the stillborn 4.5L Duramax diesel V-8, referenced in another GM Authority piece: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2016/04/pondered-thoughts-can-the-4-5l-duramax-v8-find-new-life/. All that needs to happen is for the 4.5L Duramax V-8 to be resurrected, and the rest will follow. So, how about it, GM?
Drove the MB 2 litre 4 cylinder sprinter.Felt pretty like it had plenty of juice…I’m sure the drama 2.8 will be fine
The addition of the 8 speed tranny will help keep the motor in it’s power band more often, so less peak hp or torque may not be as much of an issue as most would think. Hopefully this means that the 8-speed is coming to the Colorado soon as well.