Power Specs Leaked for GM's New Inline-Six Diesel

While diesel may be deader than disco in the passenger car segment, it is rolling plenty of coal in the half-ton pickup truck class. Once the domain of heavy duty rigs, oil burners are now snaking their way under the hoods of consumer-grade trucks.

We’ve known for a spell the output of Ford’s half-ton PowerStroke, as we have with Ram’s on-again-off-again EcoDiesel. Now we learn GM’s rating and, compared to that pair of competitor mills, it can brag about being best in class.

According to a report from the good guys at TFL Truck, who confirmed the numbers with GM reps, the new 3.0-liter Duramax Inline-Six Turbo-Diesel will make 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The latter comes online at just 1,500 rpm, lending credence to the assertion that this engine will pull tree stumps at near idle speed. It’ll be backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, by the way.

According to the GM fleet order guide, the diesel mill will be available in several different trims and not limited to just the high-zoot models. Bowtie fans will be able to spec this engine in LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country models. Those first two will require the inclusion of a Convenience Package, driving the price up a bit more than by just the diesel upcharge. On the GMC side of things, this engine will be available on everything except the base Sierra.

If you’re paying attention, you’ll have no doubt deduced that Chevy Trail Boss trucks will not be available with the Duramax, but it is an option on the off-road focused GMC Sierra AT4 and its 2-inch factory lift kit. It remains to be seen if the diesel will be available in conjunction with other groups like the NHT Max Trailering package. Keep in mind that GMC offers the hand-of-god 6.2-liter in the AT4 as part of an Off-Road Performance Package.

For context, Ford’s Powerstroke is rated at 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of twist. Ram’s EcoDiesel, currently in the throes of drama and not yet available on 2019 models, heaves out 260 horses and 442 lb-ft of torque. In the never-ending Detroit truck battle, usurping the competition in power numbers is as natural as breathing oxygen, so expect one of the other two manufacturers – probably Ford with its 2020 F-150 later this year – to juice their numbers accordingly.

The new Duramax diesel now shows up on GM’s fleet guide, indicating orders will soon be taken for delivery later this year. Pricing for this straight-six option has not yet been released.

[Images: General Motors]