In 2017 GM big vans get small diesel.

[Wayne M.]

I'm in shock. Should be dynamite!

http://www.equipmentworld.com/gm-br...uramax-diesel-to-express-and-gmc-savana-vans/

 

[amsoilman]

I believe that Diesel is made by VM-Matari.

 

[jgillott]

I can tell you from experience that a small diesel in the van segment is the way to go. I'm surprised that it took them this long to put a product out to compete in the current market

 

[Wayne M.]

I'd love to drive it. J I bet you're happy with the sprinter 4...

 

[jgillott]

Yes sir. Couldn't be happier. Incredible MPG, very little DEF consumption, and surprisingly powerful for such a small displacement vehicle.

If GM even comes close, they will sell a ton of them.

 

[Wayne M.]

I always liked the GM G van- next to the beloved Dodge B. I wonder if you can get it trimmed out as a 9 seater?

 

[jgillott]

I would like to see them do a completely modular seating system in their new passenger vans, similar to what I believe Nissan does with the NV Passenger. The Mercedes seats come out in complete rows leaving a flat load floor. It's OK, but I can see a time when it would be nice just to remove a few here and there to put out a table between seats, etc.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I believe that Diesel is made by VM-Matari.

According to Diesel World magazine, "Canyon and Colorado engines are machined and assembled in GM’s Rayong, Thailand, manufacturing assembly. The facility is as modern as any of GM’s plants. The powertrain diesel plant is GM’s first in Southeast Asia and the first to manufacture the four-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel."

http://www.dieselworldmag.com/first-look-gms-2-8l-duramax-canyoncolorado-beyond/

Bill

 

[Tuesdak]

I'm in shock. Should be dynamite!

http://www.equipmentworld.com/gm-br...uramax-diesel-to-express-and-gmc-savana-vans/

I am in shock too as this is just another underpowered numb POS idea from GM in the making esp when you can get a 6.6 Duramax in a full size van now. Let me be one of the first to point out the "Not enough power to get out of it's own way." Surprised by the power by the small displacement, well, GM picked that displacement handicap. The New Colorado pickup isn't exactly a lightweight S-10 of old like the Savannah isn't a minivan.

The 2.8L is rated at 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque... GM's 6.5 TD made more than that from the factory at 200 HP 400 Ft Lbs and not a lot of happy campers with that engine when you loaded it! The 200HP 4.3 V6 gas engine has it on HP as well.

Sure the HP wars are over with this engine, but, there has got to be a minimum power number that you don't go below.

#@$%! And way to go USA and GM on the engine manufacturing location.

 

[jgillott]

I am in shock too as this is just another underpowered numb POS idea from GM in the making esp when you can get a 6.6 Duramax in a full size van now. Let me be one of the first to point out the "Not enough power to get out of it's own way." Surprised by the power by the small displacement, well, GM picked that displacement handicap. The New Colorado pickup isn't exactly a lightweight S-10 of old like the Savannah isn't a minivan.

The 2.8L is rated at 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque... GM's 6.5 TD made more than that from the factory at 200 HP 400 Ft Lbs and not a lot of happy campers with that engine when you loaded it! The 200HP 4.3 V6 gas engine has it on HP as well.

Sure the HP wars are over with this engine, but, there has got to be a minimum power number that you don't go below.

#@$%! And way to go USA and GM on the engine manufacturing location.

Before you completely dismiss this engine in the van segment, let me do some clarification for you. This new van design is intended to compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz/Freightliner Sprinter which has been the primary choice for commercial business looking for a fuel efficient, high capacity van for many years here in the US. All of those Sprinter vans that you see running around now are powered by either a 3.0L V6 or now a 2.1L 4cyl twin turbo diesel.

I personally own a 2015 Sprinter 2500 with the 2.1L 4cyl. It is rated at meager 161 HP and 265 lb/ft tq. When I was first considering that van, I went on the Sprinter message board Sprinter-Source.com to research the question you mentioned in your post "Is it going to be able to get out of its own way". The answer over on that Sprinter owners site and now after almost a year of personal ownership is and overwhelming yes. Not only will it get out of its own way, it's performance is absolutely amazing to someone like me who has been driving Dodge Cummins trucks for over 20 years. It pulls every grade with ease, even loaded to capacity. And even better, it does it knocking down mid 20's + mpg all day long. The worst tank MPG I've observed with mine was just over 18 MPG carrying 10 people and pulling a small 6x12 enclosed v-nose cargo trailer with an ATV and gear in it.

This is the current trend in the commercial market and I personally am proud to see that GM is attempting to compete in it. Ford has done great with the Transit gas vans so far, though their MPG #'s are relatively poor in comparison. Can't wait to see what the GM can do with the diesel.

 

[Wayne M.]

No doubt the transmission makes it. No comparison from decades or even years ago.

 

[JUeckert]

No doubt the transmission makes it. No comparison from decades or even years ago.

ding ding ding, we have a winner! Performance of those older powered diesels would be much better if they were matched to these modern trannies..

 

[Tuesdak]

ding ding ding, we have a winner! Performance of those older powered diesels would be much better if they were matched to these modern trannies..

I will give that point to it. Modern variable turbo's also make a big difference. Specifically having the HP to back up the torque at lower RPM. The GM 6.5 would choke on it's own small turbo when revved up and some Navistars would be a dog just getting moving with a 'too big' turbo.

Although great fuel economy does this really make a TCO difference over the cheaper V6 gas engine when initial cost and maintenance is added up?

 

[Wayne M.]

Yea I'll never forget how jealous I was the time I drove a 2gen with a lockup auto when I had my non lockup '92. That was the beginning.

 

[Ozymandias]

I can tell you from experience that a small diesel in the van segment is the way to go. I'm surprised that it took them this long to put a product out to compete in the current market

In Europe this segment has Turbo Diesel Engines ONLY, there are no gasoline engines available.
I think that says a lot.

 

[JUeckert]

I will give that point to it. Modern variable turbo's also make a big difference. Specifically having the HP to back up the torque at lower RPM. The GM 6.5 would choke on it's own small turbo when revved up and some Navistars would be a dog just getting moving with a 'too big' turbo.

Although great fuel economy does this really make a TCO difference over the cheaper V6 gas engine when initial cost and maintenance is added up?

Havin owned 6, 6.5 turbo trucks, i felt they did pretty good for what they were.. I feel the little borg warner turbo lacked at the engines higher rpms, especially considering i have a 6.2 thats running a t04, which will allow for a little more boost then the bw on the 6.5.. Not much, but enough to see a difference in the top end performance between the two engines.. I would suspect Gm wanted a low boost turbo for the 6.5, simply to help with durability.. As for the diesel vans, at one time i had an issue with those small engines in what i consider a heavier vehicle, but they seem to be making it work.. To be honest if you think about it, several makers have been doing it for quite a few years.. Considering the extra complexity of the newer diesels, i do still feel in some cases a gasser would be a more logical choice..