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GM exploring ways to raise half-ton Duramax diesel tow rating

Lots of truck owners cheered when GM announced fuel economy numbers for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel inline-six. Even after Ram let loose its EPA mileage ratings for the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, the Chevy oil-burner still took the trophy. The victory was years in the making, GM engineers spending an entire four-year development cycle refining the LM2 Duramax to increase mileage. The tradeoff, as well all know by now, is towing; the Duramax in half-ton duty pulls a maximum 9,300 pounds in the Silverado. Rivals across town can do more, the Ford F-150 PowerStroke rated at 11,500, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel game to pull 12,560. GM engineer John Barta told Muscle Cars & Trucks that more hauling chops could be on the way, explaining, "We’re actually looking at upgrading some of the materials around (the engine bay) to see if we can maybe raise our tow rating." Engine bay materials are at issue due to thermal complexities underhood. John Barta, GM's assistant chief engineer of diesel engine controls, said the Duramax's inline-six configuration allowed engineers to get emissions hardware like the combined selective catalytic reduction, diesel oxidation catalysts, and diesel particulate filter unit closer to the engine, where it heats up quicker, getting emissions down quicker. But that filter puts another heat source in those confines, enforcing a cap on the tow rating to keep the engine and other systems from overheating. "If you look under the hood," he said, "youÂ’ll see a significant amount of silver ‘moon tapeÂ’ around to make sure things arenÂ’t getting overheatedÂ… if we were to go up in higher towing, which we can, we start impacting the possibility of deteriorating some of the components.” There isn't much space for more grille, so swapping for a better grade of "moon tape" or a different kind of material could reduce engine bay heat, extracting a higher tow rating in the process.  It's important to note a point Barta's been making for months about the Duramax figures, though. "Even though itÂ’s nice to brag about big numbers, in reality, light duty customers are not towing that large with their trucks," and, "We do know that (95 percent) of our light duty customers donÂ’t tow over 9,000 pounds." On our First Drive of the 2020 Silverado diesel we called out the tow rating, but emphasized that the Chevy and GMC have more important challenges to overcome.

GM to invest $150 million in Flint to boost heavy-duty pickup production

FLINT, Mich. — General Motors President Mark Reuss said on Wednesday that the automaker is investing about $150 million at its Flint Assembly plant in Michigan to boost production of heavy duty trucks by another 40,000 vehicles a year. Reuss announced the investment at the Flint truck assembly plant wearing a United Auto Workers pin. The Detroit automaker had announced back in February it was adding 1,000 jobs in Flint to build a new generation of heavy-duty pickup trucks. GM did not say that the latest investment would add more jobs at the plant, but Reuss said there could be opportunities to add workers as the launch of the automaker's new trucks progresses. GM has been under pressure from President Donald Trump and lawmakers of both parties to add jobs in the United States after it said last November it would idle the Chevy Cruze assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, and likewise had no new products for three other U.S. manufacturing plants. The Flint investment will include upgrades to the plant's conveyors and other new tooling, and will be completed in the first half of 2020. GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the plant since 2013. Last month, GM said it would invest $24 million to increase truck production at its assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which makes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models. Sales of heavy-duty pickups in the United States have grown to more than 600,000 vehicles a year, up more than 20 percent since 2013, according to industry data. Prices for luxury models can easily top $70,000. GM's Chevrolet and GMC brands have long trailed Ford's F-series heavy duty trucks in the lucrative segment. The new Chevrolet and GMC heavy duty trucks have been re-engineered to tow heavier trailers, and keep pace in what has become an arms race among the Detroit Three automakers to claim superior torque and towing capability. Related: Silverado HD vs. 2019 Ram, Ford heavy duty trucks: How they compare on paper

GMC offers more 2024 Hummer EV SUV details, photos

GMC has shared more details about its 2024 Hummer EV SUV after its debut during the NCAA Final Four tournament. The SUV which follows the Hummer EV pickup, is smaller, more maneuverable and has a few features the truck doesn’t. GM says itÂ’s meant to strike a balance between off-road capability and on-road driving. GM also says Edition 1 reservations are already sold out. Compared to the truck, the Hummer SUV has a wheelbase about 9 inches shorter. With four-wheel steering, its turning circle is just 35.4 feet, which GM emphasizes is tighter than that of the Ford Mustang Mach-E (38.1 feet). ItÂ’s also less than the Hummer pickupÂ’s 37.1-foot turning circle. The SUV, which, at 196.8 inches long, is 20 inches shorter than the truck overall. It also features a much shorter rear overhang, at 35.5 inches. While thatÂ’s all helpful maneuvering through city traffic or suburban parking lots, it also provides advantages off-road. It has an approach angle of 49.6 degrees, a 49.0-degree departure angle and a 34.4-degree breakover angle. Suspension travel is 13 inches front and rear, with 16 inches of maximum ground clearance thanks to its Extract Mode that temporarily raises the vehicle to get out of tricky terrain. It can ford water 32 inches deep. It also features the same CrabWalk mode as the pickup. Available Ultravision provides 17 cameras, including underbody views to help navigate the trail. The Hummer SUV benefits from an enclosed cargo area behind the second row of seats. It still features the Infinity Roof with removable panels above the two seating rows to essentially turn the SUV into a convertible. At the rear is a swing-out tailgate that opens wider than the width of the vehicle. A spare tire rides on the tailgate as well. With the rear seats folded, cargo volume peaks at 81.8 cubic feet.  Additional hidden storage space is found below the recycled rubber floor mat, which features a design inspired by the moonÂ’s Sea of Tranquility (that's where Apollo 11 landed). As for technology, the Hummer SUV gets a 13.4-inch infotainment screen, plus a 12.3-inch instrument display in front of the driver. Fourteen cameras come standard, and the aforementioned Ultravision provides a total of 17 cameras, including a surround view. The MyGMC mobile app offers satellite rendered trail maps that can also help manage energy consumption off-road and make sure you have enough juice to make it to a charger when finished.