ENGINE UPS THE ANTE
Chevy’s diesel feel gives Ram a run for its money as power choice proves to be top-notch
How agonizing would it be to work in GM’S truck acoustics department?
Imagine trying to figure out how much or how little noise should infiltrate the cabin of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado diesel.
Too much will offend those with delicate sensibilities and be a turn-off for anyone unconvinced about the merits of diesel; too little will be too wimpy for those who traditionally buy diesels and enjoy their aural characteristics.
It’s a no-win proposition. But somehow, GM engineers nailed it. Along with an exterior design that’s superior to every other half-ton truck on the road today, even the GMC Sierra, the new Silverado diesel brings to the ears the perfect narration for an engine that may well be the best GM has ever produced.
Built at the Flint engine plant in Michigan, this 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six adopts a Bmw-style delivery of smoothness. At idle, it purrs with a solid and gentle rasp. From the inside, the cabin is so well hushed, only the most astute would suspect something was different. On the highway, there’s barely a whisper from the engine. Oh sure, when it gets angry, the sound from up front is a symphony of exhaust, piston and turbo sounds.
The result is as satisfying to the ears as a large-displacement V8, and it yields almost as much power. At 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque from just 1,500 rpm, the Silverado snaps to attention and roars from zero to 100 km/h in about seven seconds.
Only the Ram diesel has more torque, at 480 lb.-ft., but its V6 architecture isn’t as smooth.
Coupled to the 10-speed automatic transmission, which is also paired to the 6.2-L direct-injected gasoline V8, the diesel’s big prize is fuel economy that mirrors that of a hybrid truck: a low of 7.8 L/100 km in steady 100 km/h driving was easily achieved. Around town, our average was closer to 13, with plenty of idling in the cold, but that’s better than most of Ford’s Ecoboost engines, even the remarkably efficient 2.7L V6.
The official rating for the Silverado diesel is 10.4 city and 8.0 highway on 4WD models, excellent for a half-ton truck.
On mornings as cold as -25C, the diesel started easily. GM says the block heater is only needed below -30C. I did get a whiff of diesel smell in the interior on the really cold mornings, though it dissipated after a few minutes.
And it wasn’t just once, but on several occasions, which was surprising, given the diesel also produces the lowest CO2 emissions of all five engine options.
The diesel can also be set to hold a higher idle speed to warm up faster.
With the 90L fuel tank, it should be possible to travel 1,000 kilometres or more on a single tank, but it’s too bad there is no option for a larger tank. The diesel engine, a $3,245 option, allows for a maximum trailering load of 9,300 pounds and maximum payload of 1,870 pounds, which are respectable numbers, but they don’t come near the max ratings of Ford and Ram’s light-duty diesels.
The bed is equipped with 12 fixed tie-downs, and the strength of each is rated at 500 pounds, and nine more movable tie-down points are available for a total of 21. The bumper steps are an excellent solution to the difficulty of climbing in and out of the bed.
What would be nice, however, is a camera view that lets the driver see the bed while in motion. The camera system on the new Silverado is very good and it offers 15 adaptive views.
But if you simply want to check to see if what you’re carrying has shifted, you have to stop and look.
Perhaps that will change with next year’s revision of the interior, which is perhaps the least exciting aspect of this truck.
It’s functional enough, but it looks five years old and doesn’t come near the sophistication of the 2020 Ram.
The steering feels numb and lifeless compared to most hydraulic systems, but the headup display is positively brilliant in every way. Automatic 4WD is also a huge plus.
With eight Silverado trim levels to choose from, from the basic Work Truck to this fully-loaded, High Country at $79,138 as tested, there’s a trim for everyone.
The Duramax-powered High Country shows how sensible it is to put a diesel in a pickup. Sorry, Ram, but Chevy’s diesel has the best feel of the bunch.