2017 Chevy Express 2.8 Diesel--Exceptional MPG!

[93tracerwagon]

This is not a very well known option since it was new on the 2017 full size GM vans.
This vehicle is used to carry heavy loads typically running about 7500 lbs Gross weight, but can handle up to 8600 lbs. We currently have about 6500 miles on it.

Actual MPG Figures (running loaded at about 7500lbs)

City 20 to 21 (in city of Chicago)

Highway at 60 mph, a little over 27MPG

Highway at 70 mph, 30.3 MPG

The 8 speed Allison trans does not shift up to 8 gear until 67 mph, so the engine runs about 2100 rpm at 65, and about 1500 rpm at 70

This mileage is about double the 6.0 L gas v-8, yet this little engine can really get this monster vehicle moving around town since it develops about 325 lb ft of torque at only 1500 rpm ( about 100 HP), about the same as the 6.0 but at lower RPM. ( both engines are about 370 lb ft peak torque)
This is the same Diesel in the colorado/ canyon pick ups, but they only have a 6 speed. From what I read, we are getting about the same mileage as the pickups, but with several thousand lbs more weight and much bigger drag.

If you need to haul a lot of weight all the time and be able to tow trailers with a full framed vehicle., there is finally a really good alternative. Payback due to fuel savings for the optional diesel is only about 18 months when driving about 20,000 miles per year.
Those that have heard about it are already starting to clamber for the engine to be installed in the full size pickups. This engine will be probably destroy Ford's turbo v-6 truck market, since the six gets horrible mileage when carrying heavy loads and is only rated at 24 mpg highway.

[jcp123]

Little-known indeed! I had no idea. Those are fantastic numbers though.

Back in the day I drove E150s hauling auto parts to regional stores, to replenish stock and give same-day store delivery of customer orders. I had to push speed limits to make my time (PSL+4, lots of high RR chip-seal roads too), but with the 4.6l it was nearly always around 21mpg. The van was sometimes empty, other times well-loaded. I'd have to guesstimate weight, but I don't see much over a ton at max; we'd run out of volume before we ran out of weight capacity, since we might have totes filled with air fresheners or gaskets as likely as with brake rotors, alternators, and starters. It looks like they are using Transits now, but with numbers like that, times three vans at around 300 miles each per day, looks like the company would have been well-advised to try some of these. Maybe maintenance is the buggaboo, they kept the vans (at that time, anyway) til around 150k.