Diesel engines have slowly crept into full-size pickup trucks even as some Americans remain outright hostile to the powertrain. A slew of terrible diesel engines from American automakers have soured many on the technology. However, both Ram and Ford are now offering diesel powertrains for the 1500 and F-150, respectively, and Chevrolet will do the same for the 2019 Silverado. The Chevrolet Silverado will receive the 3.0L Duramax LM2 inline-six turbo diesel engine, and it appears the order books are open for the powertrain, according to TFLTruck.com. Order books allegedly opened earlier this week on March 11.
You may be able to order the LM2; however, powertrain specifications remain a mystery. However, TFLTruck.com does have alleged leaked—“unofficial”—specs. The documents suggest the 3.0L Duramax, which will pair with GM’s 10-speed automatic gearbox, will produce around 282 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The unofficial maximum towing capacity is rumored to be 7,800 pounds while highway fuel economy is estimated at 29 miles per gallon.
This meshes with what then-GM product chief, Mark Reuss said last year that the LM2 would be a class-leading powertrain. The closes competition powertrain comes from Ford’s new 3.0-liter V6 PowerStroke diesel in the 2019 F-150. The Ford engine produces 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. The rumored specs beat Ford’s performance figures; however, Ford rates its diesel’s towing capacity at 11,400 pounds. Ram also offers a diesel—the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6—however, it produces just 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
“Now I’m not going to go into the numbers today, but some of our competition has already given their numbers on their new diesel, and I am really confident that we’ll have the best-performing diesel in this segment,” Reuss said last year. He’s now president of General Motors.
Stay tuned to GM Authority for more GM 3.0L Duramax LM2 news coverage, as well as for Silverado news and Sierra news.
Comments
Thank you GMA for bringing us a story that TFL published four months ago.
GM made Diesel’s halftons from 81-98 they were first order with the junk 5.7 diesels then the good old run forever 6.2 gutless but reliable diesel that could get 30mpg that 6.2 continued till end of 93. In 93 you could either get the 6.2 or the 6.5 Diesel’s the 6.5s were a decent motor as long as you stayed within its capacity ratting. They were great in the 1500s for mpg and the turbo 6.5s sound great straight piped turbo back. Now we are in 2019 for GM to bring back the diesel 1500s why they ever stopped making fuel efficient diesel 1/2tons is beyond me.
So best performing diesel truck means that our GM trucks should be class leading in all areas -fuel economy, towing, and payload right? If GM is going to be the best then that means hitting all these areas.
What the hell difference does it make? As long as they do the task there’re ask to do and get good gas mileage.
Who cares who is #1. I’ve had an 02 Duramax for 17 years and it looks and runs the same as the day I ordered it
from the factory. Tow’s a 16,000 lb 5th wheel RV over an 11,000 ft pass at 55 mph. using half throttle. What more could you ask for?
How many set’s injectors in that LB7 ?
In short, the answer to that question would seem to be a simple “yes”.
However, it’s no secret that Ford has done a better job marketing their product – claiming much sexier HP and torque numbers – than GM while GM has relied on real world performance and word of mouth.
In other words, would you rather win the press conference, or win the game ?
I don’t mean to stereotype, but go to Fla. and visit a campground; talk to all the greyhairs pulling large 5th wheel trailers – most as aerodynamic as a brick – and usually what you’ll find is while the blue oval guys are bragging about their HP and torque, the Chevy guys are bragging about their mileage and passing the Fords going up the grades.
You can make a dyno say whatever you want in a closed environment; it’s on the road where the hard truth comes out.
The best example of this I’ve seen was a few years ago iirc it was called “Rumble in the Rockies” or something similar. DRW Ford vs Chevy diesel, equipped closely enough that the curb weight of each was within a couple hundred pounds. Same rear axle ratios. Identical trailers. Performance up the Eisenhower pass AND back down. Ford had (slightly) higher HP and Torque numbers – they won the press conference.
Chevrolet dominated in every facet of speed to distance, time to speed, time to brake, amount of brake input needed, etc etc etc. There was no Ram tested – the Ram wasn’t rated for the load the Chevy and Ford being evaluated on.
Sexy numbers look good in a brochure or website….you win the “benchrace” with those. I’d personally rather have the better performing vehicle even if the data says it shouldn’t be. Just my 02.
I agree Slippery. I’m one of those old grey hair’s. When it comes right down to it, there has to be a big difference in what these trucks today have for it to matter because they’ll all pull a pretty good size load.
I’m not talking about the 1/2 tons. I don’t even consider them in the equation. You got SUV’s now that will.
tow what 1/2 ton pickups can tow. What it boils down to, is if your only going to keep a truck for 3 or 4 years before buying another one. Then by all means by a 1/2 ton. But if you plan on keeping it for 10, 12, or 20 years. Buy a 3/4 ton with a diesel eng. Better gas mileage and better truck made to last. The suspensions on 1/2 tons aren’t in the same class as the 3/4 trucks.
Obviously not towing. The F-150 max towing is already 1000lbs over the 6.2 with the trailer package. I’m sure he was referring to engine performance.
On the side note, I don’t know how the Ford can always give the best in class ratings when the 3.0L diesel struggling to tow 9,000lbs. I do wish the diesel could come close to the 6.2 in towing. It would be a better sale if it could and have higher mpg’s while doing so. If GM doesn’t it will be ok in dome since. I’m just tired of Ford always trying to upscale their tow ratings. When you see car enthusiast try to tow 3/4 of the the rating and it’s struggling to keep up in highway traffic I mean come on. I careless about the paper ratings even though a lot of people take it to the bank. I care more about real world performance. Anyways I hope we will see a real announcement soon.
I find it hilarious that Fords “Class leading towing” is a half ton on a 3/4 ton frame with its tow package, go try to find one.
And when those diesel units break down and you don’t have warrant you better put in a insurance claim because it will be in the Thousands!!!!!!!!!!!!
When it costs $5800 dollars to change a head on a Chevy sonic at the dealership any diesel will cost thousands that is a no brained. It the cost of living now.
Fingers crossed that this exciting new powertrain will be available in the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and GMC Yukon/XL.
And how’s diesel scr working with def affecting overall diesel life?
scr doesn’t really have an effect on the motor, it’s just spraying urea into the exhaust. It’s annoying to have to fill/maintain yes but the motor doesn’t care what you do with the exhaust once it’s past the turbo
I beg to differ. Reports about diesel engines with plugged scrs due to excessive diesel particulates chokes the exhaust system, resulting in severe engine power reduction. Worse case scenarios are diesels running out of def with the emissions system automatically reducing power to force a vehicle off the road until def is replenished.
And that’s why I’m glad I don’t have one that has to have def. 2002 Duramax 2500 crew cab long bed.
20.6 mpg @ 85 miles an hour.
If you have a scr plugged your deisel particulate filter was already plugged. They break down the particles before the scr. To much town driving and stopping the regeneration
This needs to be an option for the Colorado
The chassis will be just as important as the power train and that’s where Ford wins every time. I have purchased 100’s of pickups for business use, for over
48 years. I have learned GM over rates their chassis and Ford under rates their chassis. There’s a lot of information that goes in to buying a pickup trucks. Like 24 hr service at Ford truck centers. Parts availability on long term an many other items.
They will hopefully end up in the vans
Can’t wait to get one and delete it 4″ turbo back straight pipe