Fuel numbers for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax diesel are here, and they’re way better than anyone expected.
Mileage for the new diesel-engined Silverado was expected to be good, but they weren’t expected to be this good. According to Chevrolet, the Silverado 1500 equipped with the 3.0-L Duramax turbodiesel engine will get 33 miles to the gallon on the highway, and 23 miles in the city for rear-wheel-drive models.
For the four-wheel-drive models, those numbers drop to 29 mpg highway, 23 mph city. Which are still quite impressive.
Some other numbers include 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque which is capable of towing 9,300 lbs and carrying a maximum of 1,870 lbs. Chevy says this will satisfy 90% of their light-duty pickup customers, which presumably means that not everyone needs to move a house with their diesel pickup.
This is the first diesel Silverado since 1997, and the first-ever Silverado 1500 to use an inline 6-cylinder engine. Usually, it's been V6s and V8s, although recently GM has adopted a 2.7-L turbocharged 4-cylinder, with mixed results.
To get the Duramax diesel to provide such astounding fuel numbers, the entire block is made of aluminum while the cylinders are lined with iron. This reduces weight but ensures the cylinders themselves remain durable. Forged steel is used for the crank and connecting rods for even more added durability.
A new active thermal management system gets the engine up to temperature faster, while an automatic start-stop function turns the engine off in stop-and-go situations. A 10-speed automatic gearbox ensures the most efficient gearing possible.
And to provide that little last bit of extra mileage, the new turbodiesel Silverado provides an exhaust brake when in tow-haul mode to keep you from tapping the brake pedal all the time.
The new 3.0-L Duramax will be available on the LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims. For the LTZ and High Country, the price is the same as the 6.2-L V8, which is $2,495. For the LT and RST, the price is $3,890 over the 2.7-L turbo.
This time there will be no waiting. When the 2020 Silverado arrives this fall, the Duramax diesel will arrive with it.