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]

[cyberaxe]

What the hell you want to run off of a hummer?

.....well to start, my balers would be nice.....

.....the rakes and rotary cutter might be over kill.....

.....but plows and disks do work well!.....

Thats an awfully expensive PTO toy!

.....naw, its just a work/farm/hunting truck.....

[Red Badger]

China or Mexico?....

[absolootezer0]

lots better than the piddly 376ftlbs dcx is putting into their CRD diesels for dodge/ jeep.

[advertising guy]

I wrote that this was coming 5 months ago.I left a large GM dealership as Ops Mgr. Part of my GM contract was training Chevy dealerships on product knowledge

The 6.6 litre Detroit Diesel/Allison Transmition
is bullet proof offering 368 hp actual and 675 ft torque lbs...dealership software ups torque to 710 ft lbs.....

The heads and 6 speed transmition are proprietary Allison features

Same here on the 4.5 diesel.....4 Years of military r&d in this puppy..............

sneak peek........look for the 6.6 to be available in the Tahoe and Suburban as well

[Clam Digger]

Sheeeite, I’d love to do my baling from the comfort of an A/C cab, but then it’s hard to see all the snakes I love running over.

[bajabaja]

Great picture of the Hummer in action. I am just trying to upgrade my humble I6 (200 ci) 65 Mustang vert. Yes, I am jealous.

[cyberaxe]

The heads and 6 speed transmition are proprietary Allison features Same here on the 4.5 diesel.....4 Years of military r&d in this puppy..............

.....i absolutely love my 3500 w/ the Allison Trans.....

.....will it be available on this new one?.....

[umgud]

I love my ‘07 Silverado 1/2 ton 4x4 crewcab, 5.3. Driving like a politically correct person, I’ve gotten almost 21 mpg on the open road. This blew me away.

I’d be real interested in this new smaller diesel, but cost and mpg will have to pay out.

[cyberaxe]

baling from the comfort of an A/C cab, but then it’s hard to see all the snakes I love running over.

.....the ole tractor has air and tunes, but it ain't near as a comfy ride as the ole truck.....

.....lol on runnin over stuff, my personal favorite is a field rat nest with the rotary cutter when there are hawks around!.....

.....man! thats great entertainment!.....

[SIDENET]

Cool. However, I’m still waiting for a Cummins V-8 to appear in the 1500 series Dodge Rams. They are also planning a V-6 for use in the Dakota and Durango. Both engines are supposed to come out in the ‘09 model year.

[cyberaxe]

.....thanks.....

.....can you believe that most of these things are either turned into pimp-mobiles or mall queens!?!?.....

.....whatta waist.....

[mtnwmn]

I haven’t forgotten! Haven’t bought an American made vehicle since.

[fightinbluhen51]

The Duramaxs are nothing like the original 70s diesels. Alum. as well as material science has come a LONG way in the last 5 years, not to mention the last 10. Not to mention their development with the factory corvette racing teams.

As far as powerplants, I have all the confidence in the world in GM.

This is nice...question is...will this motor make it into the colorado?

[britemp]

Seems a bit low on torque for my liking - try this:

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/4796/5820/audi-q7-diesel-passenger-car.phtml

[Larry Lucido]

Let’s see, we’ve got Duramax, Duratec and Duratorq engines. Between Ford and GM, we’re running out of Duras.

[advertising guy]

yes and on your paddle shift 6 speed......did you read all or did your salesman tell you all that trans can do ?

[advertising guy]

motor will be in all 50 states

[advertising guy]

feature for feature the diesel Tahoe vs gas motor is 2500 msrp more

[Jack Black]

GM Diesels have always been a weak point in their light truck offerings. Hopefully this is better.

But I can't help but think they should be working on some other stuff besides H2 engines!

And while it might not be a big seller the new Camaro would be nice to get before I'm retired. (The 'stang has been out for years and even the new Challenger looks further along!)

After that a classic RWD coupe would be nice, something like a two door Caprice of old.

It's pretty sad that Chevy and Buick don't have any Rear Wheel Drive cars in their entire family.

[org.whodat]

Same here on the 4.5 diesel.....4 Years of military r&d in this puppy..............

Sure just like the 350 olds motor turned diesel. LOL, Will not trust a diesel motor built by GM. I remember the LT4100 Cadillac motor with aluminum heads, they all went bad about 80,000 miles.