Car and Driver were the bearers of the good news this week within the diesel truck
realm that is so important to many loyal customers right here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse: the 2020
Chevy Silverado with its optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel Duramax inline-six
engine is rated at up to 33 mpg highway by the EPA. This successfully leads the
race over the Ford F-150's diesel by 3 mpg during the rear-wheel-drive
comparison of both these burly trucks. It has for now claimed the very top spot
as far as efficiency, and the diesel is optional on both the double-cab and
crew-cab models.
The Ford F-150 Power Stroke's diesel highest
ratings are 22 mpg city, and 30 mpg highway for rear-wheel-drive models and 21
mpg city/ 28 mpg highway for four-wheel-drive models. Three miles a gallon is
quite a monumental advantage in a race where engineers put in many hours of
hard work and exercise painstaking precision to gain just fractions of a gallon.
Overall fuel efficiency and the ability to be a true powerhouse when towing are
two of the reasons why the diesel choice is viable, and anyone who is no
stranger to the staggering weight of elements such as tree trunks and horses
can testify to this.
Chevy engineers were hard at work the entire
duration of development using an array of tools to maximize the all-important
fuel economy stat. Due to the extreme smoothness of the straight-six engine,
the new Duramax did not see the need for a balance shaft, which reduces
vibration but can make for an unnecessary drain on the engine. Speaking of
which, there are three different fans that are used to properly cool the engine
down to optimum temperature, and avoid constant pull on the truck's vital power
source.
Many new buyers are flocking to diesel-powered
light-duty pickups, and you can haul an important load with confidence knowing
diesel is providing the muscle to pave the way. Thanks to the very modern
technology of the turbocharger, 95 percent of the offered up torque is in
production at just 1,250 rpm, so the only time you will run into lag is when
you get heavy with the ignition foot immediately off the line. Hitting the 60
mph mark can be unofficially accomplished in about 8.7 seconds, and this is a
truck that has a reputation for always feeling quick and agile.
The diesel power has in no way affected the
excellent ride or handling quality, and constructing the new model out of
aluminum means that Chevy has avoided massive additional weight gain to the
nose. Summer months are times when projects see extended hours, rigging duty
become that much more vital, and unexpected phone calls come in requesting
double-duty effort. As climate change stays at the forefront of headlines and
all of us involved in the auto industry take notice, we still pay heavy homage
to diesel: There's something to be said for the source that undeniably “brings
the noise” in terms of earning your keep for the constantly demanding road.
