Chevy Silverado 1500 Duramax Sails past competitors, fuel economy announced

• The 2020 Chevy Silverado with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel outperforms Ford and Ram in terms of fuel economy.
• The inline-six diesel engine uses an aluminum block and installs a balance shaft to reduce weight.
• A new Chevy Silverado with a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine is expected this fall.

The fuel economy figures are there, and it looks good for the new Chevy Silverado 1500 Duramax. Turbodiesel engine returns EPA rated 23/33 city/highway in two-wheel drive; 23/29 with all wheel drive. The numbers are a major victory for Chevy in the ongoing truck battle between the Detroit Big Three. By comparison, the F-150 Power Stroke with all-wheel drive hits 22/30 city/highway and 20/25 in 4×4 configuration. The current Ram EcoDiesel comes in at 20/27 city/highway for two-wheel drive and 19/27 with all-wheel drive.

“We developed the all-new Silverado and the all-new Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel to deliver both performance and efficiency,” explained Tim Herrick, Silverado chief engineer. "The engine uses state-of-the-art technology to optimize every drop of fuel and uses architectural changes to make the Silverado bigger, lighter and more aerodynamic than before."

2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 Duramax: Taking the Stage

This new 3.0-liter Duramax is the first diesel engine since 1997 for a Chevy light truck. It is also the automaker's first inline-six for full-size light trucks. In a highly competitive truck market, the challenges of creating a new transmission are enormous. However, the engineers had enough experience to draw on as they worked on the architecture of the new Duramax line-six.

“We are committed to offering light truck customers the best of diesel—outstanding fuel economy, greater power and responsive torque—plus an unexpected level of refinement,” said Nicola Menarini, Director of Truck Diesel Program Implementation. “We have leveraged our worldwide expertise in diesel engines to ensure that the new Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine delivers the impressive performance and durability our truck customers demand.”

2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 3.0L Duramax. The engine has double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bore and stroke of 84mm x 90mm. Photo: Chevrolet.

under the hood

Distinguishing features of the 3.0-litre Duramax are an aluminum engine block, iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and mixed silicone/aluminum pistons. Chevy says the built-in thermal management system quickly heats up engine components for more efficient operation. In the interest of fuel economy, the new Silverado 1500 Duramax uses a driver-selectable stop/start function. The designers also worked hard to keep the engine running smoothly without a balance shaft, which Detroit Free Press's Mark Phelan noted as strength during a recent test drive.

“The resulting combination offers all the features, enhancements and capabilities customers want in a full-size truck, with the highway fuel economy you would expect from a family sedan,” Herrick added.

Transmission and towing specifications

Chevy's 3.0-liter Duramax delivers 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque, with a maximum payload of 1870 pounds. Properly equipped 4×4 trucks can tow up to 9,300 pounds. According to Chevy, this will be enough for 90 percent of buyers. Power is delivered to the ground via a 10-speed Hydra-Matic 10L80 automatic transmission with an increased overall gear ratio and smaller steps between gears to maximize performance and efficiency. Those using the truck for towing will benefit from the standard diesel exhaust brake and tow mode.

2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 3.0L Duramax. Photo: Chevrolet.

Pricing and Availability

This new Duramax is Chevy's fourth such diesel engine, joining the Colorado, Silverado HD and Silverado Medium Duty. The 3.0-liter Duramax is available in LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims. For the LTZ and High Country, the engine is $ 2495, the same as the 6.2L V8. The LT and RST upgrade costs $3,890 more than the stock 2.7-liter turbo.