Chevy Silverado Turbo-4 Sneaks Past 20 MPG

General Motors releases fuel economy estimates for the ’19 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 large pickup equipped with an all-new 2.7L turbocharged gasoline 4-cyl., indicating rear-wheel-drive models will achieve 20 mpg in the city cycle and 23 mpg highway (11.8-10.2 L/100 km).

In making the much-anticipated fuel-economy announcement, Silverado Chief Engineer Tim Asoklis calls the inline 4-cyl. Silverado a fun and efficient everyday driver with the capability to tackle weekend projects and trips to the lake.

Standard on LT and RST models and available later this year, a 2.7L-equipped Silverado is 380 lbs. (173 kg) lighter than the V-6 unit it replaces but delivers 14% more torque, runs 0-60 mph (97 km/h) a second faster (6.8 seconds) and offers 13% greater fuel economy, GM says. It is SAE-rated at 310 hp and 348 lb.-ft. (472 Nm) of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm.

Maximum towing capacity for the Spring Hill, TN-built 2.7L is 7,200 lbs. (3,266 kg), while maximum payload is 2,280 lbs. (1,034 kg) in regular cab models currently restricted to fleet customers.

GM’s first application of a 4-cyl in a fullsize pickup leverages several all-new technologies from the automaker, including Active Thermal Management. The technology targets specific areas of the engine for heating and cooling to optimize conditions for greater efficiency. The engine also uses cylinder-deactivation technology and stop/start for additional efficiency.

Dual overhead cams and direct injection are employed and it is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

As the base engine for the Silverado, the 2.7L targets the 3.3L V-6 in the Ford F-150 and the 3.6L V-6 mild-hybrid of the Ram 1500. GM’s volume engine in the Silverado remains the 5.3L V-8, while a 6.2L V-8 crowns the lineup. Next year, the Silverado will be available with a Duramax 3.0L turbodiesel inline 6-cyl.

2.7L turbo 4-cyl.