GM is going to offer a small truck diesel!

RobertRyan wrote:
You will get a watered down version of the Colorado. It WILL NOT have a 2800-3000lb payload.

I'm sure you are right. Makes no sense to import a proven vehicle with only minimal changes. :R Someone might spill their latte on our ultra smooth roads. Or OMG they might actually haul something bigger than a lawnmower :S

I cant imagine a 4.5 baby Duramax making 310 and 520 when the LB7 was just 300 and 520. That would require 2500 sized running gear(in a 1500) and unless they found an efficiency Genie somewhere, marginal mileage. I believe in order for this diesel in a half ton thing to work. It has to be a good bit cheaper than the HD version, and get real close to 30 mpg. I think 500 foot pounds defies both of those criteria.

Putting a diesel in a compact pickup is a great idea. Your already buying a downsized pickup (your not looking to hook up to a 30'TH like many will with the 1500 diesels). So you put a moderately powered engine in it, that gets killer mileage, and watch them fly off the shelf. The fact that your the only player in that game right now certainly helps things.

small diesels like this tend to be dogs to drive

Tystevens wrote:

deweysmith5 wrote:
If I remember correctly it was a V6 but I have slept since then. (Can't imagine a 4.5L V8 anyway). All of the Big 3 were rushing to get the market on light duty diesels. I am sure they all were struggling with some issues. The "band aid" as I call it was an adequate fix but I am sure that any delay would nave seen an improvement in regards to the original problem.

The GM 4.5 diesel was (is?) a V-8. http://www.duramaxdieselspecs.com/duramax_4500.html Seems like a great engine for 1/2 ton use -- 310 hp and 520 tq puts it close to the original 6.6 Duramax in output. If GM will put the 4.5 in a 1500 Suburban, I'll be first in line to buy one!

Thanks for the clarification - memory must be failing with old age. I saw these in person but really couldn't remember. I had heard rumors that the engine was going to be "detuned" to lower the torque because the light duty truck couldn't handle the high torque even with beefier drivetrains. Understand, that was a rumor within the future products team and I really don't know the truth. At the time GM wasn't planning for the Suburbans to get them but I would hope that reasoning will change.

RobertRyan wrote:

Sue Bee wrote:
On the other side of the world, Toyota has been offering small trucks (Hylux) and SUVs with diesel engines for decades. These are popular, reliable and versatile vehicles which show that there could be a demand for something in the less than half ton class. But are average Americans looking for something like this?

Actually Hilux , Diesels everywhere outside the US a gas powered Pickup is a mighty rare beast. Most Overseas manufacturers do not sell them.

Darnit, Hilux. The British Top Gear guys tried their best to destroy one, and it just kept running.

fly-boy wrote:
Gm announced it will offer a diesel option in its small trucks-

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/can-diesel-engines-revitalize-the-small-pickup.html/

Not designed as a big tow vehicle by any means but maybe it is a step towards a 1/2 ton diesel option.

As I said a year or two back, you will be pulling 18 ft. 5th wheels with those diesel that are still running. All the new diesels pickups will be 2500 lb. giants.

Tystevens wrote:

deweysmith5 wrote:
If I remember correctly it was a V6 but I have slept since then. (Can't imagine a 4.5L V8 anyway). All of the Big 3 were rushing to get the market on light duty diesels. I am sure they all were struggling with some issues. The "band aid" as I call it was an adequate fix but I am sure that any delay would nave seen an improvement in regards to the original problem.

The GM 4.5 diesel was (is?) a V-8. http://www.duramaxdieselspecs.com/duramax_4500.html Seems like a great engine for 1/2 ton use -- 310 hp and 520 tq puts it close to the original 6.6 Duramax in output. If GM will put the 4.5 in a 1500 Suburban, I'll be first in line to buy one!

X2

Supercharged wrote:

fly-boy wrote:
Gm announced it will offer a diesel option in its small trucks-

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/can-diesel-engines-revitalize-the-small-pickup.html/

Not designed as a big tow vehicle by any means but maybe it is a step towards a 1/2 ton diesel option.

Every will point at you and say funny things, but now if that is a 1 ton diesel with dulley, Banks, lot of extra chrome, you know they will line up along the road jumping up and down with smile on there face.

I am okay with that. :)
After a little off-road makeover it would be a perfect little grocery getter, hunting vehicle, light tow duties....

deweysmith5 wrote:
If I remember correctly it was a V6 but I have slept since then. (Can't imagine a 4.5L V8 anyway). All of the Big 3 were rushing to get the market on light duty diesels. I am sure they all were struggling with some issues. The "band aid" as I call it was an adequate fix but I am sure that any delay would nave seen an improvement in regards to the original problem.

The GM 4.5 diesel was (is?) a V-8. http://www.duramaxdieselspecs.com/duramax_4500.html Seems like a great engine for 1/2 ton use -- 310 hp and 520 tq puts it close to the original 6.6 Duramax in output. If GM will put the 4.5 in a 1500 Suburban, I'll be first in line to buy one!

You have to remember the US mandated emission requirements for all diesel and gas engines. Most if not all of the overseas diesel power plants do not meet the US standards. So just swapping a diesel engine that is used elsewhere will not work, unless changes are made to it's design.