General Motors (GM, Financial) announced that its upcoming 2019 Chevrolet Silverado will come with a four-cylinder engine option, which is distinctive in the American pickup segment. The four-cylinder is a massive turbocharged gasoline engine that integrates the Detroit automaker's latest technology driving power and maximizing efficiency. Here’s a detailed look at the company’s plan on its most profitable vehicle line.
In details
General Motors currently uses the 4.3 liter V-6 engine in the mass market LT variant of the Silverado. The company plans to switch it to the new four-cylinder. The automaker said that the new engine has been made for trucks. It is a 2.7 liter unit with a massive 310 horsepower and a robust torque of 348 foot-pounds, which is way ahead of the 4.3 liter V-6.
General Motors claims that with the new 2.7 liter four-cylinder engine, Silverado will scarcely take seven seconds to go from zero to 60 miles per hour. The engine will weigh around 380 pounds less compared with the current 4.3 liter V-6 engine, resulting in added fuel efficiency. General Motors also said that the vehicle’s payload and towing capabilities should be similar to that of the V-6 entry-level variant of Ford (F, Financial) F-150 and Fiat Chrysler (FCAU, Financial) Ram 1500.
The LT and RST versions of the next-generation Silverado will come with the standard 2.7 liter four-cylinder. Additionally, the company will provide options with the updated versions of its 5.3 liter and 6.2 liter V-8s. However, General Motors is playing safe. The company will not completely erode the 4.3 liter V-6 with the 2.7 liter unit.
In the initial roll out phase at least, the carmaker will continue offering the 4.3 liter V-6 engine on the basic Silverado variants. It is generally the most popular among fleet customers. The company is providing this option specifically for buyers with lower budgets and for those who may be doubting the reliability of the all-new engines and are skeptical about plunging into the all-new turbocharged engine. If General Motors is able to prove the reliability and durability of new 2.7 liter engine, it may soon become a preferred choice for fleet buyers.
Is GM taking reference from Ford?
General Motors should be thanking Ford if buyers whole-heartedly embrace the four-cylinder engine in the upcoming Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. In 2011, Ford had raised a lot of eyebrows when it launched the EcoBoost turbocharged engine in its trucks. Back then, the idea appeared blatantly outrageous as V-8 engines were the heart of American pickups. There were concerns in the automotive market about whether American buyers would accept the all-new six-cylinder engine instead of the V-8.
The company successfully managed to clear issues relating to the reliability, durability and fuel economy of the new engine among consumers. Not only this, the Blue Oval reached greater heights with the 2.7 liter and 3.5 liter V-6 EcoBoost engines on F-150 widely getting acceptance among truck buyers.
Clearly, General Motors has taken reference from Ford to introduce its new four-cylinder.
Last word
With this move, General Motors has taken a big risk. Whether General Motors will be able to repeat history with the all-new four-cylinder engine in the Silverado and Sierra, remains to be seen. The company is hopeful that the new engine will receive wide acceptance among car enthusiasts.
Disclosure: I do not hold any position in the stocks mentioned in this article.
