Chevrolet displays diesel-equipped Colorado at LA Auto Show

[kscarbel2]

Following a long period of silence about a promised diesel option for the new 2014 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, GM is displaying a concept truck fitted with the 2.8-liter Duramax diesel (XLD28) at the Los Angeles Auto Show (November 18-20).

Available since 2011 in the global market, the powerplant is rated at 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm.

The in-line four cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. No manual tranmssion is offered*.

* Overseas, a manual transmission is available with the 2.8-liter Duramax, but torque is cut back from 369 to 324 lb/ft.

The 2.8-liter Duramax double overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine was developed at Italian diesel engine maker VM Motori*, where it is known as the model A428. Produced in Rayong, Thailand, it features an 1800 bar common rail injection system with piezo-electric injectors and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT).

* In 2003, Penske purchased a 51% stake in VM Motori. In 2007, Penske bought the remaining 49% from DaimlerChrysler and subsequently sold 50% of it to GM. In 2013, GM sold its 50% stake to Fiat.

The new-for-the-US Colorado/Canyon in 2014 went into production first overseas in 2011, where it available with both 2.5- (XLD25) and 2.8-liter displacement Duramax engines.

In 2013, the second generation Duramax engines went on sale overseas, delivering 11% more power and 6% more torque, while consuming 4.3% less fuel. A new high pressure fuel pump for the common rail injection operates up to 2,000 bar, up from 1,800 bar.

The global market 2.5-liter Duramax went from 150 to 163 horsepower while the 2.8-liter went from 181 to 200 horsepower.

FYI: GM has had an on-again, off-again plan (due to financial woes) to offer a 4.5-liter Duramax 72-degree V-8 (code-named LMK) in its full-size half ton trucks. A project cancelled in 2009, GM Vice President of Global Powertrain Steve Kiefer said this year the words “dust off” the 4.5L diesel engine have been mentioned quite a bit.

Featuring a 2000 bar common rail injection system with piezo-electric injectors and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT), the 32-valve double overhead camshaft engine (DOHC) was expected to produce 310 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque.

In comparison, Fiat-Chrysler’s VM Motori-produced 24-valve double overhead camshaft engine (DOHC) 60-degree V-6 EcoDiesel produces 240 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque (The 60-degree angle serves to reduce the vibration associated with V-6 configurations).

The 4.5 does not have intake manifolds. It uses a unique head design in which the intake portion is located on top of the cylinder head while the exhaust manifolds exit into the engine valley. The engineering goal is to increase the thermal efficiency of the turbocharger (located in the engine valley).

The engine utilizes a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) engine block paired with aluminum cylinder heads.

The 4.5 was allegedly developed by GM in-house, without cooperation from Isuzu or VM Motori (given GM's history with self-designed diesels, not necessarily a good thing)..

Little known facts: Holding a 50% stake in VM Motori at the time, GM and the Italian diesel engine maker were designing a 3.0-liter diesel for Cadillac’s European market ATS, CTS and SRX. GM fell into financial woes and cancelled the project in 2009. After Fiat bought GM’s stake in 2013, they completed the 3.0-liter diesel project and it became the EcoDiesel available today in Dodge (Ram) half ton pickups and Jeep Grand Cherokees. Owners of those vehicles may be intrigued to know that the development of their engine was funded by General Motors (a.k.a. Government Motors).

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[gicknordon]

The 4.5 does not have intake manifolds. It uses a unique head design in which the intake portion is located on top of the cylinder head while the exhaust manifolds exit into the engine valley. The engineering goal is to increase the thermal efficiency of the turbocharger (located in the engine valley).

The engine utilizes a Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) engine block paired with aluminum cylinder heads.

In other words, just like a 6.7 power stroke.

[kscarbel2]

In other words, just like a 6.7 power stroke.

Yes, both the 4.5 Duramax and AVL-designed 6.7 PowerStroke have reverse flow heads.

I don't understand why Ford still doesn't offer a diesel in their F-150. They have so many options, e.g. the 2.5 I-5, 2.7 V-6, 3.6 V-8 and 4.4 V-8. (Personally I'd be content with the in-line 2.5-liter five-cylinder paired with a ZF 8- or 9-speed).

GM 2.8L I-4 diesel 181hp 369 lb/ft

Ford 2.2 I-4 diesel 144hp 277 lb/ft

Ford 2.5 I-5 diesel 185hp 350 lb/ft

Ford 2.7 V-6 diesel 188 hp 325 lb/ft

Ford 3.0 V-6 diesel 237hp 370 lb/ft

Dodge 3.0 V-6 diesel 240hp 420 lb/ft

Ford 3.0 V-6 diesel 251hp 440 lb/ft

Ford 3.0 V-6 diesel 271hp 440 lb/ft

Ford 3.2 I-5 diesel 201hp 350 lb/ft

Ford 3.6 V-8 diesel 266hp 472 lb/ft

Ford 4.4 V-8 diesel 330hp 516 lb/ft