And now a reading from the book of Torque.

[racy]

Originally Posted by bobojay

Very, very anxious to see/drive one of these and how they do in the market.
Trouble is, right now here, diesel is 85 cents higher than unleaded.

Unlike gasoline, the price of diesel will go down commensurately as he production biodiesel comes on online. These new engines are designed to run on straight biodiesel...this in not something currently offered in the gas engine world.

[racy]

Originally Posted by MaxLegroom

Next sick thought would be along the lines of just what that would do in a) the G8 and b) the Camaro...

With all that torque, you could stick an extremely tall differential in the rear, and get power *AND* great fuel economy.

[Sinner]

Originally Posted by THE_SMURF

The customer who buys a diesel usually needs a diesel, and/or already owns one and so any improvement in MPG will enhance the truck to them. They are already aware of the costs of ownership.

Whether the truck will be of any interest to the general public remains to be seen and I feel is directly proportional to cost of the fuel for them. With there being no end in sight to astronomical per gallon price of any fuel, do not see the owner of a heavy 1500 or light 2500 switching over to the small diesel unless they bought the big gas power plant by default, due to nothing else being available. The near $1.00 difference in per gallon in the fuels will cause some to shy away.
Of course, the MPG will make some look at the truck on that alone.

Did you even read the post that I replied to? Of course not, you're posts are filled with know it all arrogance.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by member12

The good thing here is that it doesn't require an Allison transmission....but if GM thinks they can charge $4000 for this engine option over the vortec max package, then they are mistaken. It won't sell in decent numbers for that price unless it gets 40 mpg. It might, however, sell pretty well in full sized vans, HD trucks, and HD suburbans, but it will replace the 6.0L engine. GM will need a smaller diesel to replace the 5.3L engine.

There there is the reliability issue.....GM has a mixed history with diesel engines. The Duramax and the 6.5L engine are okay, but I remember my parents 350 diesel. It may have gotten good mileage for the 20,000 miles or so that it ran, but it was a terribly unreliable engine.

Then there is the fact that Dodge is putting out a new Ram with a lighter duty cummins engine and Ford is building a less powerful 4.4L diesel for it's half tons that is expected to only cost around $1800 over the 5.4L engine.

There is a lot going against this new 4.5L engine. I hope for GM's sake that they can move them at a resonable price and that it scores great EPA ratings....but I have my doubts.

The price is true, 2000 is acceptable, anything more, nooo
Now, how long ago was your parents diesel?

[Slideways]

Originally Posted by gerardo_zg

An engineer saying "520 lb./ft. of torque".... a diesel engineer! No less!

That's the way my style guide says to write it, so I don't argue.

[t-rex]

After buying my son a Jetta TDI back in '04, I'm in love with Diesels.

Forget MPG's, I'd buy one for its amazing driving characteristics; although 47mpg on the highway with the cruise pegged at 75 isn't a factor to be completely dismissed!

If GM can sell this unit without gouging the customer on the sticker price, they may be on to a winner! High fuel prices are likely to change the demographics of the full-size truck market, possibly leaving the more traditional truck owner as the dominant buyer, and I suspect many of those are more open-minded to Diesel technology than the young guys who bought those big rigs as fashion statements.

Imagine GM getting that new VM-developed 2.9 V6 unit in more models, such as Lambdas, CTS, Zetas, and whatever will replace the GMT355s and GMT360s. The 4500, the 2900, and maybe some Fiat Multijets for the Aveo, Cobalt, Astra etc. could see GM become the market's dominant player in the Diesel field, challenging even VW!

That is, if the public is interested in Diesels...

I think super-efficient Diesels make more sense than all this hybrid/altfuel/etc. mess. But again, I'm biased...!

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by racy

With all that torque, you could stick an extremely tall differential in the rear, and get power *AND* great fuel economy.

It would definitely be interesting, but don't forget sound as well when it comes to performance cars. Although if it had that cool diesel truck sound, I'd be pretty tempted.

[wpageabc]

Lets see how it plays in the book of numbers!

[nadepalma]

Nice post. I'm glad to see that GM splurged on the technology behind the engine.

[motorman]

the big problem for diesels in cars is the area around the diesel pump at most all self service stations looks like a toxic waste dump with oil dry and diesel all over the ground as any spilled does not evaporate like gasoline. most drivers unless they have their work boots on would not get out of their car there.

[Snafu_SS]

Originally Posted by Sinner

Don't forget the astronomical cost of diesel oil changes.

Thats when you buy three gallons from wal-mart and do it yourself

I do it with my truck and spend half of what I would pay to have someone else do it.

[F14CRAZY]

310/520 is pretty impressive

[Snafu_SS]

Originally Posted by t-rex

After buying my son a Jetta TDI back in '04, I'm in love with Diesels.

Forget MPG's, I'd buy one for its amazing driving characteristics; although 47mpg on the highway with the cruise pegged at 75 isn't a factor to be completely dismissed!

If GM can sell this unit without gouging the customer on the sticker price, they may be on to a winner! High fuel prices are likely to change the demographics of the full-size truck market, possibly leaving the more traditional truck owner as the dominant buyer, and I suspect many of those are more open-minded to Diesel technology than the young guys who bought those big rigs as fashion statements.

Imagine GM getting that new VM-developed 2.9 V6 unit in more models, such as Lambdas, CTS, Zetas, and whatever will replace the GMT355s and GMT360s. The 4500, the 2900, and maybe some Fiat Multijets for the Aveo, Cobalt, Astra etc. could see GM become the market's dominant player in the Diesel field, challenging even VW!

That is, if the public is interested in Diesels...

I think super-efficient Diesels make more sense than all this hybrid/altfuel/etc. mess. But again, I'm biased...!

I agree with you...My next truck would be either a used Sierra 1500 diesel or an F150 diesel.

I can already tow quite a bit with my 95 and my girlfriends 96 Chevy and they both are moderately powered.

[THE_SMURF]

Originally Posted by Sinner

Did you even read the post that I replied to? Of course not, you're posts are filled with know it all arrogance.

HEY!
Ease up, this is a discussion group not a debate. Yes I read the post and your reply. I am offering my opinion. I do not claim to know all things, nor does anyone. Most of us on this forum are making guesses.

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted by THE_SMURF

We live in an area that has a lot of "Winter Texan" traffic during the cold months. This will be a big hit with a lot of these folks. A 1/2 ton with the ability to pull a 5th wheel that has 3-4 slides, should catch on with this crowd. Some actually drive or pull a smaller vehicle with them just so "momma" does not have to drive the 2500 to town for shopping. I believe me, WE WANT her to drive something smaller LOL.

Don't get your hopes up about this. 1/2 tons cannot handle the weight of the 5th wheel king pin load of trailers the size you are talking about. People are maxing out their 1/2 tons already. This might enourage more of it unfortunately. It will certainly make the 1/2 tons trucks easily pull the loads they currently are rated for however. I think GM would sell even more of these if they were smaller and even more fuel efficient. Perhaps these will be a cheaper option on the HD trucks as well since people that have always bought diesels for the fuel economy while towing are kind of upset about the torque wars and the resulting decline in fuel economy. Ford especially has this problem. The current crop of HD's do pull trailers better than ever however.