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2019 Silverado Fuel Economy: Silicon Valley Startup To Thank For Dynamic Fuel Management

The 2019 Silverado fuel economy numbers aren’t official yet, but they should easily outdo the outgoing pickup thanks to technology from a Silicon Valley startup.

General Motors invested in a small company by the name of Tula Technology in 2012 and it began work on a flexible cylinder deactivation technology. That technology is called Dynamic Fuel Management today, and it will debut with the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. Specifically, Chevy will equip the advanced cylinder-deactivation tech with the 2019 Silverado’s two V8 engine offerings.

According to the GM release on its Tula investment years ago, the technology will boost fuel economy by up to 15 percent. Additionally, prototype technology showed a 21 percent increase in fuel efficiency when equipped on a GMC Yukon. Tula delivered.

The 2019 Silverado fuel economy numbers should post healthy increases over the old truck with Dynamic Fuel Management on board, but also thanks to a lighter curb weight; the new truck is up to 450 pounds lighter than its predecessor. It’s also much more aerodynamic, and aero is one reason why the truck’s squared-off wheel wells are no longer around.

In total, the 2019 Silverado will boast six engines and transmissions. We only know three so far—the two V8 engines and the new 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel engine. We have a feeling Chevy’s new full-size pickup has a couple more party tricks up its sleeve.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. I’m a little concerned about what they are going to pair to the 5.3 and diesel engines as far as transmissions go for 2019. Currently the 5.3 uses an older 6 speed rated for 16/22 in 4X4 form and only 15/20 with the 8 speed which makes no sense whatsoever. If they use the 8 speed combined with the new 5.3 engine mileage will barely be any better than the current 6 speed setup. That is unless they are tuning it more for mileage than power. But then again I wouldn’t be surprised to see that old 6 speed offered initially until the 10 speed is at capacity. The new 10 speed combined with the new skip fire 5.3 and diesel engines plus the 450 LB weight loss should easily increase mileage to at least 25 highway with the former and 30 for the latter.

    Reply
    1. The diesel is confirmed to have 10 speed from the get go. We don’t know what the 5.3L will be paired to. My guess is also 10-speed, they just didn’t want to reveal it all until Sierra is uncovered.

      Reply
    2. MY16 F150 3.5TT w/6 speed vs the MY17 F150 3.5TT w/10 speed yielded only a 2mpg city and 1mpg highway difference…The 10-speed only shifts sequentially (1, 2, 3, etc), in two conditions, really slow (for the EPA test cycle) and on the complete other end of the spectrum, during WOT…All other times it’ll skip gears so it often shifts the about same number of gears as the its 6 and/or 8 gear predecessor…The 10 speed is surprisingly compact and lightweight but it’ll most likely weigh more than its 6 and/or 8 gear predecessor and hopefully not by much…Weight is why 50 speed don’t exist, yet unless there’s some breakthrough, the transmission everyone hates including myself is the also the most efficient, the dreaded CVT that no one wants in a truck…

      Reply
  2. I was thinking to myself this past week about how much I love the new look of the silverado and how badass these new powertrains are going to be, but how disappointed I am with the interior. its not bad, but I was hoping for more. I then thought to myself the Sierra hasn’t even be reveled yet, so I think there is a lot more to come. I believe we will see a dual pane sunroof in the upper trims they just didn’t want announce it yet. where that cut out in the top of the roof is in the back seat I believe you will be able to get one there as well. In that interview with the chief engineer he didn’t rule that out (TFL truck video) he just kinda shrugged. More to come so I guess I just have to be patient.

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  3. I’m guessing that the 10 speed will be paired with the big buck trims and for us peasants we will get the leftovers. The 10 speed might not be available with all trims due to inventory at first. I was surprised at all the negative remarks concerning the 2019 Silverado styling, looks nice to me. The Sierra’s interior is regarded to be nicer than the Silverado’s but there is a higher price point plus a charge for most paint colors, I would guess the additional $625.00 for a regular cab, 2wd, WT, long box for the Sierra can be attributed to the nicer interior, what else ? For some reason the additional charge for the metallics really ticked me off and probably will cost GM some sales, $400.00 to $500.00 additional for paint just doesn’t sit well for some customers. Silverado has a Graphite, Silver Ice and Havanna Metallic at no charge where the Sierra’s Dark Slate, Quick Silver and Deep Mahogany Metallics cost you $395.00 extra, WHY ?

    Reply
  4. Never Thought In A Billion Years That I Would See So Many Chevrolet Vehicles That Looked Like They Were Designed By The Worst Automaker In The Universe & That Automaker Is toyota Everything toyota Makes Is UGLY And STUPID & Looks Like Chevy Is Following Suit

    Reply
  5. toyota is TRASH

    Reply

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