Confirming recent rumors, General Motors has announced that its GMC Canyon will be available with a diesel engine for the 2016 model year.
The 2.8-liter Duramax oil burner will deliver 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, allowing drivers to tow up to 7,700 pounds — up 10 percent compared to the gasoline-powered variants. The powerplant is matched exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission, outfitted with a pendulum vibration absorber to reduce powertrain noise and vibration.
“A diesel engine was part of the Canyon’s portfolio plan from the beginning, meaning the chassis, suspension and other elements of its architecture were engineered to support it,” said assistant chief engineer Scott Yackley. “That means there are no compromises with the Canyon diesel. It offers exceptional capability delivered with a confident feeling of control.”
GM has integrated an automatic exhaust-brake system that works in conjunction with cruise control, taking advantage of the diesel engine’s strong compression to maintain speed on downhill grades without wearing the brake pads and rotors.
The big question is fuel efficiency, however GM has not yet announce official EPA figures for the new package. The company is presumably attempting to beat the diesel segment leader, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which boasts a city/highway rating of 21/29 mpg in two-wheel-drive guise.
The Duramax engine will be available on either the 2WD or 4WD Canyon, fetching a $3,730 premium over a comparable V6 model. The company is also expected to offer the same diesel mill on the Chevrolet Colorado.
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