Last Month, GM took the wraps off the updated 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty pickup. Now we’re finally learning the details of what’s under the new truck’s (massive) hood.
Powering the base Silverado HD wis a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 mated to a Hydramatic 6L90 6-speed automatic transmission. This unit produces 360 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 380 lb-ft at 4,200 rpm.
For even more power, there is also a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 which produces 397 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and a peak torque of 765 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm. This engine is perhaps the most notable improvement to the latest HD pickup. Not only does it produce additional best-in-class torque and horsepower figures for a diesel engine, but it also delivers an 11 percent increase in fuel-efficiency with a total range on of 680 highway miles on a full tank.
“Segment-leading power is great, but it’s not the only thing that makes the new Duramax a winner,” said Gary Arvan, Duramax chief engineer. “We designed the engine to make that power with less fuel and fewer emissions, while also increasing its durability.”
The Ford F-Series continues to be a formidable competitor, but the latest improvements to the Silverado HD – most notably improved power and efficiency – should bode well for the 2011 model as it’s expected to better satisfy the demand of heavy-duty truck buyers.
* * *
Read more Chevrolet news on this blog. Subscribe now.
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 0 comments… add one now }