2020 Silverado Diesel 3.0 EPA Rated...

[Vman455]

...33 mpg highway--pretty phenomenal for a truck! Here's Chevy's press release: https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/che...silverado.html

-The inline-six engine provides an inherently balanced configuration for low noise and vibration characteristics. It features an aluminum block for weight reduction, an 84mm x 90mm bore and stroke, dual-overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.
-A new active thermal management system warms up propulsion components more quickly for more efficient operation.
-The exhaust brake, which is available in tow-haul mode, can provide additional driver confidence when towing, especially when going downhill.
-The driver-selectable stop/start technology enhances fuel economy by shutting off the engine at stoplights and certain other stop-and-go situations, helping save fuel. The engine automatically restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake.
-The 3.0L Duramax is exclusively paired with a Hydra-Matic 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission, featuring smaller gear steps and an overall larger ratio spread to enable peak efficiency. Intelligent controls adjust to the driver’s needs for smooth operation and aggressive response.

It's unclear whether there were any aerodynamic changes for this model specifically; the release quotes the chief engineer as saying it's "more aerodynamic than before" but doesn't clarify whether that's the diesel compared to the gas version or the truck overall, which of course was all-new for 2019.

[Hersbird]

So that's the best so far. I know Fiat is claiming the new Ecodiesel will be the best so I wonder if it hits 30 highway with the 4wd. The Ford has a good 2wd rating but takes a big hit with the 4wd. Then again so does this Chevy.

What's sort of surprising the smaller truck (Canyon/Colorado) with the smaller diesel (2.8 vs 3.0), with 100 less hp and torque, is only rated 20/30 2wd and 19/28 4wd. And they wonder why the smaller trucks keep dying off. They cost just as much, but don't do as much, or save much as just getting a full size.

[Piotrsko]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

So that's the best so far. I know Fiat is claiming the new Ecodiesel will be the best so I wonder if it hits 30 highway with the 4wd. The Ford has a good 2wd rating but takes a big hit with the 4wd. Then again so does this Chevy.

What's sort of surprising the smaller truck (Canyon/Colorado) with the smaller diesel (2.8 vs 3.0), with 100 less hp and torque, is only rated 20/30 2wd and 19/28 4wd. And they wonder why the smaller trucks keep dying off. They cost just as much, but don't do as much, or save much as just getting a full size.

And it's really difficult shoving a full sheet of plywood in those smaller beds

[rmay635703]

Now imagine if they beefed up a VW Caddy the fuel economy that could get?

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

So that's the best so far. I know Fiat is claiming the new Ecodiesel will be the best so I wonder if it hits 30 highway with the 4wd. The Ford has a good 2wd rating but takes a big hit with the 4wd. Then again so does this Chevy.

What's sort of surprising the smaller truck (Canyon/Colorado) with the smaller diesel (2.8 vs 3.0), with 100 less hp and torque, is only rated 20/30 2wd and 19/28 4wd. And they wonder why the smaller trucks keep dying off. They cost just as much, but don't do as much, or save much as just getting a full size.

Is that 2.8 a v6? I know that inline sixes are inherently more efficient, all else being equal. I suspect that an I6 would have a very hard time fitting in a Colorado.

[Shaneajanderson]

I just read the article and I saw two things to gripe about.

They said the new Silverado is Larger. Why!? they're already huge and ugly, don't make it worse.

Second, they said it's the first time that Chevy has used an inline-6 in a half ton pickup. That's hogwash, I've seen lots of Chevy pickups up into the 80's even with I-6's.

[rmay635703]

My uncle had an old 300cuin 6 banger back in the day

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by Shaneajanderson

I just read the article and I saw two things to gripe about.

They said the new Silverado is Larger. Why!? they're already huge and ugly, don't make it worse.

Second, they said it's the first time that Chevy has used an inline-6 in a half ton pickup. That's hogwash, I've seen lots of Chevy pickups up into the 80's even with I-6's.

The I6 was rare into the 70s and 80s in trucks (pretty common in GM cars) and they may have only been available in what they may not have considered "light duty" trucks (even though according to DOT even a 2020 Duramax 2500 Silverado HD is "light duty"). Still up until the mid 50s it was the only motor available in a Chevy pickup. Agreed a bad claim.

Also the 2.8 diesel is an I4.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

The I6 was rare into the 70s and 80s in trucks (pretty common in GM cars) and they may have only been available in what they may not have considered "light duty" trucks (even though according to DOT even a 2020 Duramax 2500 Silverado HD is "light duty"). Still up until the mid 50s it was the only motor available in a Chevy pickup. Agreed a bad claim.

Also the 2.8 diesel is an I4.

That's a big four banger. Not sure why that would get such bad fuel economy, though admittedly I know little about diesel engines.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Shaneajanderson

That's a big four banger. Not sure why that would get such bad fuel economy, though admittedly I know little about diesel engines.

Generally the fewer cylinders the more efficient due to thermal loss and friction, odd cylinder counts get better FE due to harmonics, a 3 cylinder 2.2 liter diesel would be the most efficient while also being harsh to drive.

Anyway.
At this point the economy isn’t “bad” comparatively on any of these trucks (if you look back 10 years anyway)

That said my 6.2 suburban could turn 28mpg with a 5 speed stick, and it was cheap and didn’t require a turbo (which tends to plug up in cold climates)