Ford may be readying its all-new 4.4L diesel powerplant for use in several full-size vehicles, but General Motors isn’t about to let the Blue Oval steal all the diesel thunder in the Motor City. On Monday, GM announced the details on its upcoming 4.5L diesel mill, slated for duty in the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Despite the extra equipment needed to make the diesel engine 50-state legal and for its twin-turbo setup, the 4.5L powerplant actually fits in the same space as its small block gasoline counterpart — thanks to a narrow-angle V-block and some impressive engineering. In fact, the new engine is made with 70 fewer parts than past Duramax diesels.
But don’t let the engine’s small size fool you — it still packs quite a punch. According to GM, the engine will produce 310 horsepower and 520 lb-ft or torque. Despite the massive amounts of power on tap, the engine will be 25 percent more fuel efficient than a comparable gasoline engine.
The engine will meet Tier 2 Bin 5 and LEV 2 emissions regulations, thanks to a particulate filter and a downstream NOx treatment system.
The new engine is only officially scheduled for use in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, but it will likely spread to GM’s other full-size vehicles.
05/05, 5:49 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Finally domestic manufacturers realizing importance of diesel engines.
05/05, 5:54 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Do GM, Ford and Chrysler execs all share one washroom? Wow, tough place to keep a secret. Funny how all three have come to this great small diesel epiphany at roughly the same time.
05/05, 6:55 PM
posted by:
A4
for only $7500 more you can have a diesel! awesome.
05/05, 6:56 PM
posted by:
A4
id run out and get one day one if the price was only 1-2k over gas.
05/05, 7:52 PM
posted by:
autonut
Johnny, even funnier when 3-4 years ago they all complained to congress then upcoming(current) regulation will prevent them from making diesel and save fuel!
05/05, 7:52 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
They should implement this powerplant A.S.A.P. in the Tahoe/Yukon to offset their atrocious mileage. Plus, Diesel in a large, heavy vehicle = winner.
05/05, 8:12 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Much better torque rating than the Ford. Looks to be the standard.
Toyota should field a 480 lb.ft competitor in 2010 as well, also besting the Ford.
It would be nice to know the details of the 2010 small Cummins from Chrysler. I’ll have to go over to AllPar and find out the latest.
DrFill
05/05, 10:56 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Let us know Dr. Fill. This is almost as exciting as the Mustang/Camaro/Challenger war. And I’m not kidding. There’s a lot more at stake.
05/06, 1:13 AM
posted by:
AMGoff
Allpar doesn’t have anything specific on the 2010 light-duty diesel Ram. However… after a little digging, it seems that it will be using Cummins new “V” lineup of oil burners – most likely their new 5.6L V8 (they also have a 4.2L V6 as well)… preliminary power figures put it at 325HP and 500lb-ft of torque (the V6 diesel is currently rated at 270HP and 420lb-ft). There’s a decent write-up about these engines at dieselpowermag:
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/dodge/0612dp_new_cummins_v6_and_v8/index.html
They said they actually tested these new engines in the 1500 and the Durango…. which makes me wonder if a V6-diesel powered Durango and/or possibly Dakota may be in the works? If so, Dodge could get a big jump over the competition with such… I’m sure there are definitely those out there who would jump on a V6-diesel powered mid-size truck that pumps out 420lb-ft of torque… Hell, I’d imagine that’d be an attractive option in the full-size 1500 as well.
Either way… it looks like the new Cummins-”light” powerplants should stack up nicely against the competition.
05/06, 1:15 AM
posted by:
AxeHead
I’ll wait to hear the MPG figures before I get excited about this. If it weren’t for environazis, these Diesels would get great mileage but because tree huggers don’t want to see soot (harmless carbon), they burn lots more fuel for no good reason. Anybody see the hypocracy and absurdity of it all?
05/06, 2:02 AM
posted by:
bigp
everyone is after ford but cant out tow them so they make more powerful engines that cant do the work that there power can dumn ass
05/06, 9:55 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
As stated before… diesel costs 33% more at the pumps but delivers 25% better economy in these huge trucks. That’s not a savings at all.
But what the heck… if all the rednecks in their pickup truck daily drivers are burning diesel it just means more gasoline for the rest of us who are smart enough to realise that we don’t actually need a truck at all.
05/06, 10:46 AM
posted by:
droppedgmc02
I much rather have this than the new ford engine. I bet it will be soo silent just like the new duramax on the 3500hd.
05/06, 11:36 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
They had better offer this engine in the Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon and fast. I don’t know why they haven’t said anything about those vehicles yet, when Ford already announced it will offer its Expedition and Navigator with their diesel.
When it comes time to replace my ‘99 diesel Suburban, Ford will get my money for an Expedition L diesel, as it stands now, unless GM offers a Suburban diesel.
05/06, 12:03 PM
posted by:
shaver
Z06: Are you a school bus driver?
05/06, 3:00 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
Haha, no. But I do have a need to haul a lot of heavy and bulky home construction material as I’m a hardcore do-it-yourselfer with home remodeling, I need something to tow my boat with ease, and something with 4WD to get through snow and get me to ski resorts. Since I don’t like the open beds of pickups, the Suburban and Expedition fit my needs perfectly.
05/06, 6:35 PM
posted by:
FordTaurusForever
Yeah 4.5 probably uses more gas so much for going green GM. I would’nt touch it it’ll probably fall apart like every other GM product. I’ll take a brand new GMC Denali just take out the Junk motor under the hood and put a Ford Engine or rather real engine and then you’ll actually get some work done instead of sitting in the repair shop all day.
05/06, 9:40 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
SHO’s are for fags
05/07, 2:17 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
“Yeah 4.5 probably uses more gas so much for going green GM”
The 4.5 doesn’t use ANY gas.
05/07, 10:34 PM
posted by:
FordTaurusForever
The Ford 4.4 Diesel will put out more power and use less fuel that GM’s junky 4.5. Do yourself a favor buy a Ford and put GM out of business! for Good!