General Motors will finally fit a diesel engine to its bread-and-butter half-ton pickup truck. The automaker’s new 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel engine will debut in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, and it’s all but certain the 2019 GMC Sierra will also feature the new powertrain.
That leads us to question the engine’s next act. Will GM fit the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel engine to its next-generation full-size SUVs? Tracing GM’s track record with diesels as of recent, we think that’s a safe bet at this point.
And the next-generation Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade would benefit greatly in the fuel economy department. Plus, it would give GM bragging rights to introduce the first full-size SUV available with a diesel engine. It’s entirely possible Ford will offer the new Expedition with the F-150’s new 3.0-liter V6 Powerstroke mill.
Final specifications on the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel aren’t available yet, but GM product chief Mark Reuss noted at the 2019 Silverado’s debut that he was “really confident that we’ll have the best-performing diesel in this segment.” Ford’s half-ton diesel engine produces 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.
GM has been on a diesel kick in recent years as it banks on oil burners to help with its average fuel economy figures. The Cruze, Colorado, Canyon, Equinox and Terrain all offer diesel engines. We think the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu could be on deck, too.
Comments
But it wouldn’t be the “first” full size SUV with diesel power. First in a long time, but not the first. GM had the 6.2 in Suburban and K5 blazer in the 1980s and offered them 6.5 powered up to 1999. Then Ford had the 7.3 and 6.0 powered Excursions.
Definitely not the first full size SUV.
Considering CAFE regulations are getting stricter and stricter, I believe this is GMs way of getting better fuel economy. I believe that it will find its way there. Considering how refine the engine is, I think it will make its way there.
These would be far from the “first” diesel full sized SUVs. International offered the Scout with a diesel in 1980 and GM offered the Suburban and Tahoe with a diesel from 1982 until the late 90’s. Were they any good? No. But they did make them in some numbers.
Edit: ninjaed by newdude
Anyone else but me , wonder why? GM’s V8 kept. Getting more Progressively efficient ?, but when you look at the stats the full size truck/SUV gas mileage has been the same since 88.
Quite true Donald,but take a look at the trucks:they are bigger,faster,bigger conditioning systems,so many electrical comforts–that have to be driven with an alternator.
While I agree that fuel economy is not rising enough with today’s technology,I do believe that we have to remember the loads that aren’t visible to most peoples eyes are ever increasing on modern trucks.
There’s also the fact that the EPA has updated their testing methodology over the years to be more consistent with real world driving. So a vehicle that’s rated 20mpg on the 2018 test may have gotten 35mpg with the test from the 80s or 90s.
Not just full size SUV as General Motors should consider making this engine available in every vehicle in the fleet that is engine is capable of fitting in, from crossovers to sedans; it would be great to see this available as an engine option in the Chevrolet Impala or the Chevrolet Traverse.
Unfortunately because this engine is an inline 6 rather than a v6, it wouldn’t have a hope of fitting in vehicles such as the impala or the traverse, which have a transverse engine layout. However, I could see it finding it’s way into the ct6 and upcoming ct5, which both have a longitudinal engine layout.
If they put it into the express/Savana I would hold off of buying a sprinter
It wouldn’t be the first one in the history of large SUVs but would be the first one in the market today.
My vote. YAY.
I hope GM makes this a reality, but one gets the feeling that they’ll throw us SUV lovers a curve and come up with a explanation like they did with the current generation Chevrolet Suburban.
At the very least it should be offered in the Escalade and Yukon Denali.
A diesel Suburban / Escalade? Sign me up for 1 of each.
A great idea, but please GM – no start / stop feature on the 3.0 liter Duramax!
They should but seems like the same old GM. They don’t wanna be first at nothing they always lagging…Why? It’s like they are stuck in the mud. Just drop all the news at once but can’t do that cause there are only bits and pieces of good news. GM should a diesel option on every vehicle in there lineup 10+ years ago
yep
The fuel economy labels today are calculated much differently from 88. They include more higher speed and load testing. The values would be 25 percent higher if 88 rules were used.
This engine is an inline six cylinder, it can be used with RWD cars in a longitudinal position. In this situation only the pick up trucks and big SUV’s with Cadillac sedan’s and The Camaro that can use this engine.
they need to let the 6.6 find its way to the suburban and tahoe and redo the 2500 suburbans
The 6.6 duramax would be a great fit for the suburban. I drive a 2012 Silverado 2500HD and would jump at the Suburban with the 6.6 in it !!
With todays technology there should not be a vehicle on the road that gets less than 50 miles per gallon diesel engine produce less emissions than gas engines while produce more power. And make better fuel economy
Problem is price of the two bout equals out with the price of fuel engine and maintenance
I went to purchase a Yukon Dinali this afternoon but they don’t come with a diesel.
The Yukon is a great vehicle and I want to tread in a Mercedes GL 350 bluetec 2015. No diesel no sale