Set to kick off in the third quarter of 2018, the all-new 2019 Silverado launch is just around the corner. At this point, we’ve already seen a significant amount of info on the 2019 Silverado 1500, but one feature that remains shrouded in mystery is the new Duramax 3.0L engine for the 2019 Silverado Diesel. In fact, we know very little about the all-new diesel motor, except for the fact that it will carry the LM2 RPO code, will be paired with the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission, and will launch in early 2019. But quite fortuitously, we have just come to find out a bit more about the new baby Duramax.
Yesterday, we stumbled upon a validation prototype of the all-new Silverado 1500 with the new 3.0L Duramax Diesel engine as it was undergoing testing in Colorado, giving us the opportunity to snap several photos and capture the all-new truck on video.
We came upon the truck as the engineer was having dinner inside at a restaurant, furnishing us with enough time to take the photos (see gallery below). When the engineer came out, we tried our best to procure details about the new Duramax engine, but the very pleasant engineer wouldn’t budge, which we’re sure makes GM happy. Nevertheless, the encounter left us with the following first-hand impressions, observed as the validation unit started up and drove away.
Start-Up & Idle
For starters, the new Duramax purrs. Yours truly was standing a few feet away from the truck when it started up, and the start-up sound made by the motor is by far the smoothest and most refined we’ve ever heard in a GM vehicle – truck or otherwise. Before driving off, there were a few seconds of idle, and the idle Duramax sounded very quiet and refined.
Driving Off
The same goes for when the truck drove off: butter smooth, quiet and refined best describe how it sounded when driving away.
There wasn’t an wide-open throttle scenario, so we can’t comment on that, but the takeaway here is quite simple: the new 3.0L Duramax purrs nicely, and it sounds like Mark Reuss wasn’t kidding when he said that the new engine will truly be the “best-performing diesel“.
Other Notes
A few other things to observe: the testing unit featured the Crew Cab with the Long Bed configuration, LTZ trimmings, and breathed out of a single side exhaust, rather than the dual exhaust equipped on some other 2019 Silverado models.
More Details Expected Soon
GM has yet to release any official details, performance figures or specifications for the all-new baby Duramax, but we expect to see those in the coming months. Stay tuned.
Comments
Coworker saw a LTZ diesel in Ontario today on HWY 401 about 3 hrs from Detroit. Cajun red tintcoat. Sent you guys the potato quality photo
Andrew, it seems that that one is also doing validation testing for the new 3.0L Duramax.
Thanks for sending it in! 🙂
What color is it? I am guessing it is either northsky blue or shadow grey.
Am I an idiot? Where’s the video?
No, you’re not. The video was not part of some variations of this article. Now fixed.
This trim looks great!
Tail pipe looks a little small to be a diesel?
Ram ecodiesel has the same.. No venturi tip plus has reg dual exhaust.
Interesting no venturi tip? Has a traditional exhaust tailpipe.
which part of colorado was being spied on? Boulder?
On road (off emission rolls) NOx measurement as a f(start coolant, run coolant, run time, vehicle speed, delta vehicle speed, RPM, delta RPM, engine load factor, trans gear, altitude, delta altitude, baro, many more variables) would be interesting to know; have they learned from other manufacturers’ difficulties?
That is a standard bed vs a long bed.
Is Trump going to shut down Canadian Automotive..??