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2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Test Mule Spotted At The Diesel Pump

Spy photographers have spotted a 2019 Silverado 1500 test mule being topped off at a diesel pump, all but confirming that a new, diesel-burning Silverado light-duty will arrive in the not-too-distant future.

General Motors’ mid-size trucks – the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon – already have diesel engine options, as does the full-size Ram 1500 EcoDiesel from rival automaker Fiat-Chrysler. And with Ford now officially planning to introduce an oil-burning F-150 for 2019, it should come as no surprise that GM is working on a compression-ignition mill for its light-duty full-size pickup.

Specific details regarding the future Chevrolet Silverado‘s diesel engine are currently unknown. We can recall the 4.5-liter Duramax diesel V8 that never was – an engine intended for the light-duty Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra last decade that was scrapped when the US economy tanked in 2009.

While we will continue to refute any rumors of the 4.5L coming back from the grave, such an engine would likely compare favorably against the 3.0-liter oil-burners used by the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and 2018 Ford F-150. The 2.8-liter, four-cylinder diesel in the smaller 2017 Chevrolet Colorado and 2017 GMC Canyon, meanwhile, doesn’t seem a likely choice for GM’s heavier Silverado/Sierra.

In all actuality, it’s likely that GM has an entirely new diesel engine in development for its half-ton trucks. And while both the Ford and Ram champion 3.0L diesels, the displacement of an alleged GM half-ton diesel engine is still unknown.

Check out Left Lane News for the 2019 Silverado diesel spy shots, and remember to check back here for more as it develops.

Aaron Brzozowski is a writer and motoring enthusiast from Detroit with an affinity for '80s German steel. He is not active on the Twitter these days, but you may send him a courier pigeon.

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Comments

  1. New TT DOHC V6 engine and new Turbocharger diesel DOHC V6 engine, Chevrolet and GMC will have them.

    Reply
    1. a ttv6 would tank the fuel economy numbers. Technically on the motors Chevy has ford by the neck! have you tried to buy a used ford or chevy? the resale value of the 5.3 is ridiculous! small blocks are superior by far to the stupid TT fad. my vote is that they took the old turbo of the last gen duramax and added it to a chopped LP5. much like the 4.3 was a 6 cylinder version of the 350, a new durmax minus two cylinders and using the old turbo would fit the bill cheaply and efficiently.

      Reply
  2. I’m not that excited for a diesel. The economics just don’t work in their favor to be a good investment, and diesel has been under assault since VW. I’d rather see GM move past that and innovate. Best option: electric. Tesla is planning a truck, Ford is planning plug in F150, GM offered hybrid trucks before. The market is moving in this direction. GM has the parts and award winning electric powertrains to work with. They just have to pull the trigger and bring it to market. They need to really innovate and stand out with this next generation of trucks.

    Reply
  3. Mid Hybrid system is already there, a Full plug in hybrid may be/should be next.

    Reply
  4. Ok then, how about a hybrid diesel???
    With that, I always said the minute GM offered a diesel in the 1500 series pickup, I’d be the first in line but after owning the 6.2 V8, I am not so sure I can ever go back… In any event, I am excited as my lease will be coming due around the time the new trucks are available so a new GM is in my future.

    Reply
    1. I’m almost with you. Have had 2x Sierra Denalis with the 6.2. Love the power and torque. But I’m not terribly happy with the range. I don’t really need the HP but having the torque of the 6.2 with a significant bump in range would be VERY nice, particularly for towing and/or at higher altitudes.

      Reply
  5. Ok you add a Diesel and hybrid system to a truck already at $55,000. The added systems drive it over $60,000 of higher. Just how much do you expect people to pay for a half ton?

    Reply
    1. No kidding.

      Reply
    2. I don’t care if they are $100,000 new. Eventually i’ll be able to afford a used one.

      Reply
      1. Well Matt the problem is GM is not going to eventually wait for you one SLE and most average buyers are reluctant to pay the Diesel price let alone an even more expensive price add a hypbrid system tat often leaves them with an auto stop the can,t shut off.

        This is not a segment that many who want hybrids are in to begin with.

        The key for a hybrid is to get the price in line and not change the driving experience so much it is rejected by the traditional buyer.

        GM not only needs to make the, but they have to be angle to sell them in numbers greater than your order and a handful of others.

        Reply
  6. I have no idea what other people will pay but I have no regrets paying what I paid for my Denali…

    Reply
    1. Buying a Denali is a different deal than paying $5,000 to $10,000 more for a hybrid system that much fewer want than a Denali.

      Reply
  7. I hope more Chevrolet 1500 trucks become available with the turbo diesel option. Will it sell as well as its larger brother, the 6.6 litre Duramax diesel? That remains to be seen. But people who need/want to have that option for their truck should be allowed that option.

    Reply
    1. I think there is a market for this one as Ram has shown it. It is smaller Thant than larger but enough to make money.

      I just fear future regulations that will drive it out of the market. It is so tough to make a Diesel anymore. That is why so many are cheating the system.

      I don,t thing GM has and pray they have not done so

      Reply
  8. On another exciting note there is a video out there of a person running up to one of these test mules and slapping a magnet on the bed. Proving that the bed will remain steel. GREAT NEWS.

    Reply
  9. Man, would I love to see a return of a 4.5L Duramax that would be best in class torque and power. But obviously the industry standard 3.0L would be more than likely with the pressure of meeting higher fuel mileage. But honestly they have a Colorado that can meet 30+ miles a gallon I would like to see a more powerful diesel. With a 10 speed and a lighter truck it would be nice to offer a higher displacement motor, but like I said I could only dream. A 3.0L diesel will probably be what’s in the new 1500’s.

    Reply
  10. That 4.5 was a wonderful looking design and I see no reason why it could not be placed into production with the benefit of 10 years of electronic and injector design improvements.

    Reply
  11. ChecK out the cheesy right out of the 50’s dual exhaust! I’m suprused they aren’t Bowtie shaped. Come on GM, really? …..zoom zoom.

    Reply
    1. I would love to see some bow tie shaped exhaust!

      Reply
    2. I think they look great! Love the ones Ram uses too. And what’s wrong with the 50’s? I prefer almost anything from that era!

      Reply
  12. Finally, now they just need to put this engine into a Suburban (ect.).

    Reply
  13. Yeah, GM was working on a diesel 1500 four years ago but it never came out when diesel prices went through the roof.
    they will again. It was supposed to be a 6.0 duramax

    Reply

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