GM announces new 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel for half-ton trucks and HUMMER H2

www.sedans.autoblog.com ^ | 06/15/2007 | Staff

[Red Badger]

Mark your calendars, because we're calling today a watershed moment for the advancement of diesel's acceptance in the U.S. General Motors has just announced a new 4.5L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel powerplant it plans to use in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups, as well as the HUMMER H2. The new oil burner is expected to produce at least 310 horsepower and 520 ft-lbs. of torque. It features dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, a variable-vane turbocharger and aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding that helps keep the overall package small enough to fit in the same space as the automaker's small-block gas V8s.

That's right, just imagine the possibilities. Wherever GM uses a small-block V8 gas engine, it could potentially use the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel. In a few years we could be driving diesel Impalas, diesel Camaros, maybe even a diesel Corvette! To quote GM's press release, the engine's small size gives it "the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand." Indeed.

GM estimates that the engine will improve fuel efficiency by 25%, reduce CO2 emissions by 13% and decrease particulate and NOx emissions by at least 90% in its GMT900 pickups and the HUMMER H2. Whoever said the HUMMER H2 was on its way out will likely be proven incorrect after this engine debuts. Scheduled to be built at the GM Tonawanda engine plant outside Buffalo, NY, the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel will be 50-state emissions compliant and meet 2010 diesel emissions standards, as well. GM claims its new diesel will also have NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels approaching those of today's current gas V8s, though we'll have to wait and see if that wish comes true. That wait should end in a couple of years, as the automaker states the engine will be available in Silverado, Sierra and H2 models built after 2009.

UPDATE: Pickuptruck.com's Mike Levine has learned from GM that despite sharing its name with the older 6.6L Duramax diesel that was developed in partnership with Isuzu, the new 4.5L Duramax was developed completely in-house by GM.

Check out GM's full press release after the jump for more details.

[Source: GM]

[Red Badger]

Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.......

If you want on or off the DIESEL ”KnOcK” LIST just FReepmail me........

This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days......

Hat Tip to A.Patriot!................

Now you can thumb your nose at all those Pious, er Prius owners..........

[Red Badger]

HUMMER KNOCK!.......

[Abathar]

Sorry, I'm married...

Oh THAT Hummer, I guess my new bumper sticker "Built by Chevy, shaken by Duramax" might not go over if this comes out as smooth and quiet as they are advertising.

[cyberaxe]

.....bout time.....

.....wonder if they will offer the Allison transmition also?!?!.....

[JamesP81]

520 ft lbs of torque. That makes me happy.

[Clam Digger]

Thatsalotta torque. Stump pulling at idle.

[Abathar]

Your right, for those of use who actually work and pull with their trucks I like that number a lot.

[Tribune7]

25 percent fuel efficiency? Wow. Way to go GM

[cyberaxe]

Thatsalotta torque. Stump pulling at idle.

.....now if they would only add a pto option on the H2.....

.....i could retire the old tractor.....

[Red Badger]

I want one in a Mustang!.........

[Texas Mulerider]

It features dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, a variable-vane turbocharger and aluminum cylinder heads...

Those aluminum heads bother me. For skillets and cylinder heads, I'm a firm believer in cast iron.

I suppose geezerhood is upon me...

[Sig Sauer P220]

I’d rather have a hummer than drive one.

[Red Badger]

Note it said cylinder heads, not cylinders..........

[Abathar]

I saw a picture of a vanity plate that said “IWANTA” that was located directly about the big HUMMER on the back of the thing. Guess he got that one slipped through without having it pulled by the DMV.

[Clam Digger]

What the hell you want to run off of a hummer? Thats an awfully expensive PTO toy!

[r9etb]

Sorry, I'm married...

Not sure I'd care to picture the sort of woman who could be described in terms of a "diesel hummer."

Ah, damn, too late.... In my mind's eye, I see somebody who's got scorch marks on her right cheek from where her rear end touched the Harley's exhaust pipe....

[Abathar]

LOL!

[org.whodat]

Who is building the motor?

[Disambiguator]

Didn’t the larger Duramax diesels have trouble with the aluminum heads?

Maybe we’ll all see once again that GM never learns.

Remember the Vega? Remember the early GM diesels from the 70s? Remember Firestone 500s?

[from occupied ga]

Now you can thumb your nose at all those Pious, er Prius owners..........

I do already.