GM added its torque-rich and fuel-efficient 2.8L I4 LWN turbo-diesel Duramax engine to the Chevy Express order book for the 2017 model year. GM Authority has now learned the 2023 Chevy Express will not be available to order with this four-cylinder diesel engine after the American automaker elected to drop it from the van’s list of available options.
While the turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine will not be available in the 2023 Chevy Express, the utility van will continue with its two naturally-aspirated gasoline engine options. These include the naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV1 gasoline engine, rated at 276 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 298 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm and the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine, rated at 401 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 464 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The diesel engine had the lowest tow ratings of the three engine options, as we reported previously, but was the only diesel engine option in the van’s lineup and offered up decent fuel economy thanks to its smaller displacement and eight-speed transmission, among other factors. As a reminder, the 2.8L turbo-diesel Duramax engine was rated at 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in the Chevy Express and closely related GMC Savana.
This change also means the diesel engine-specific (RPO code RQD) GM eight-speed automatic transmission will no longer be available to order in the 2023 Chevy Express. The 4.3L V6 and 6.6L V8 engine options respectively come linked to the (M5U) GM eight-speed automatic and (MYD) GM six-speed automatic transmissions.
Production of the 2023 Chevy Express will commence at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri on August 15th, 2022. While production of the Chevy Savana Cargo, Passenger and Cutaway models takes place at the GM Wentzville plant, the Express Cutaway is also produced by Navistar at a separate facility in Springfield, Ohio. The utility van rides on the GMT 610 platform, which was developed specifically for full-size utility vans like the Express and GMC Savana.
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Comments
I have a 2018 Express with the 2.8 Duramax and love it. Have 165k on it and tow a 7×12 dual axle 5000lb trailer long distance with it on a regulator basis. The emissions is a major pain in the rear end costing me thousands since I bought it used. AutoNation Ford in Littleton was too cheap to fix it or replace the cracked filter it had on it when they sold it to me. Once I found a mechanic who could replace the entire system filter system ($3600) I will be surprised if I don’t get another 300k out of this thing. I have regular maintenance done on it by the same shop, Mastertech in Colorado Springs, so it does me right.
Any chance that 4cyl has engine will find its way into the van segment? They have some full size pickup trucks with that engine. I don’t think it would work as well as the Isuzu diesel in mine but it may fit a courier or light delivery niche for those who want to drive a full size van instead of a city variant.
it would make more sense to give that old workhorse the 3.0 duramax from the half ton pickups, but most likely they will just phase out the vans altogether. Brightdrop electric van is more on par with competitors van types.
4 cylinders belong in cars. Just too little for me. A 6-cylinder diesel and I might have bought it. I wheely (it’s a car site) like diesel. I have one now.
Though Sprinters biggest Van offer 2.1 4 cylinder engine for their 10000 GVWR vans..
And Fuso fe180 18000 GVWR HAS 4 CYLINDER 3.0 ENGINE.
6.6 6.7 ENGINE IS GOOD FOR 26000GVWR TRUCKS
Too small a diesel for me. Must be 6 cylinders or more.
Are parts still gonna be available or is gm gonna leave owners high and dry.
2.8 liter is tiny for the heavy van
I don’t know why so many are crapping on the 2 8td as too small. It right in line with the most powerful Sprinter engine, was mated to the 8 speed and made as much horsepower as the V8s used to make during the van crazed 70s and 80s, while kicking out lots more torque. This was not intended to be a towing or performance machine. Would 1 prefer the 3.0l? Yes. Do I expect GM to invest a new drivetrain into a dinosaur on its last breaths? No.
Sam McEachern PLEASE TELL US WHY THIS IS HAPPENING! I love hearing about things that are happening with GM but I also want to know WHY things are happening. Please try to find out from GM. I have a feeling its because the engine won’t be available anymore because the factory overseas is being closed. SAM ???
Any chance they will install the 3.0 Liter Inline 6 Duramax in the vans?
Thanks
AL
Sam McEachern can you please tell us why they are not making it available anymore?? Its a great engine. Has the question been asked if GM will consider using the 3.0L Inline 6 Duramax in the full size vans?
Sam McEachern can you PLEASE tell us why?? Do they have any plans on putting the 3.0L Inline 6 Duramax in the vans?
Thanks
I have a 2012 2500 express 6.0 that has 870000 + miles on it ….gets 16 average mpg original motor second tranny that has 600000 on it rebuilt by jasper
All highway miles ..expediter
Please…please…please…put the 3.0l straight 6 diesel in the chevy express van…I will buy tomorrow…ship to Quigley ..
Please..
I’m sorry to hear that GM is no longer offering the Duramax LWN 2.8 litre diesel engine. Given its displacement, I would think there would be many vehicles that would benefit from a small displacement (3.0 litres or smaller) diesel engine. I’d like to breathe clean (un-polluted) air as much as anyone living, but I fail to see how doing away completely with the petrol-based engine as being the best way to clean the air. I only hope there’s still a service network available for those who still drive their Duramax based vehicles, such as the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado, etc.