Is America ready for 4-cylinder full-size pickup trucks? Because they're here (GM)

[Hersbird]

https://jalopnik.com/the-four-cylind...ong-1830518737

[Xist]

Full Disclosure: Chevrolet flew me to Phoenix, Arizona, put me up in a fancy hotel, and fed me food way better than the deep-fried motor oil I normally eat. All this just so I could drive the new Silverado 2.7-liter Turbo as well as the Colorado Bison. The Bison review is coming later, along my with upcoming motor oil cookbook recipes.

[T]here’s a V8 option that scores better highway fuel economy for not too much more.

Chevy itself readily admitted to me that the 2.7-liter “L3B” engine was driven in part by federal regulations, though the brand was quick to point out value to the customer: namely that this engine scores better combined fuel economy than any other Silverado motor at up to 21 MPG.

This caused an involuntary reaction that I believe would be classified as a laugh.

Twenty-one MPG is considered good for hat would normally be classified a single-occupant vehicle?!

Most of the figures are markedly worse than those of a 2.7-liter Ecoboost Ford F-150, the model that I once called the “best compromise between fuel economy and outright speed” in the F-150 line. That 2.7-liter V6 makes 15 horsepower and 52 lb-ft more than the Chevy’s inline-four of the same displacement, and still manages up to 20 MPG city, 26 MPG highway, and 22 MPG combined in two-wheel drive guise.

I ceased laughing when I realized that these trucks are approaching 1999 Accord fuel economy:


I do not see them maintaining 33 MPG, though.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

It's been a while, and in Mexico and regional export markets supplied by Mexico GM didn't even dare to introduce the 4-cyl turbocharged engine for the Silverado. Presumably it's a little more challenging to persuade some folks to downsize, not only due to the complexity of forced induction and a DOHC head but also due to the cultural significance of a V8 in some countries. So, besides the Diesel 4-cyls which used to be the rule in Brazil, Argentina and to a minor extent Uruguay, a 4-cyl turbocharged gasser is not American enough for some folks.

[rmay635703]

Some minor changes to the body style and GM could have had a truck with decent fuel economy

Too bad looks trump efficiency

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

You mean making it quite streamlined, as if it was some sort of oversized SSR or HHR?

[Piotrsko]

How about '40 ford streamlined?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

How about '40 ford streamlined?

Aerodynamically-wise, the Chevy and Dodge stuff looked better than the Fords of the same era...

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

You mean making it quite streamlined, as if it was some sort of oversized SSR or HHR?

No just the previous generation body before the 4 banger was actually more aerodynamic

GM crapped the bed on aero latelt

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I can barely remember seeing one of the previous generation, as the Silverado is not officially available in my country since the phaseout of the GMT400 here in late 2001, yet in some neighboring countries it's quite common and once in a while I see tourists driving them. And in fact it looks like there would be room for a lot of improvements regarding the aerodynamics, also considering how the small-block V8 engines sit so low at the engine bay.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I expected Mexico to be quite more conservative regarding the 4-banger Silverado, which is now available there, while the V6 was dropped. It does surprise me though, considering some cars only available in Brazil with smaller turbocharged engines are offered in Mexico with a larger naturally-aspirated one instead. Even though turbocharging is quoted to be a good way to compensate for the effects of altitude in Mexico City, turbo-lag is still a more serious downside there than in a coastal city.