There are some fresh shiny new spy shots over at Left Lane News – of the 2010 GMC Sierra 2500. You’d probably think that no one cares about such a truck in the days of $4+ per gallon gasoline. And you would be right! Even GM doesn’t really care -there’s no camo at all on this truck. Under the hood of this truck is the refreshed 6.6 liter Duramax diesel V8. Reportedly, this engine will be packing in excess of 700 lb-ft of torque.
Normally I’d be drooling and in a bit of a daze after seeing that number. Instead, I can’t help but wonder how prodigiously it gulps fuel. Sure, it’s a diesel, but that’s one big-ass engine, and a whole lot of power. Plus diesel is scaring five bucks a gallon. Sorry to say it, but this one makes me cringe instead. Wrong time guys, wrong time.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
While I might normally agree with given the gas prices, I think GMC is right on with pushing the HP and Torque numbers given the market. From what I have read, all the manufacturers are backing off on production of these larger trucks, They are going to produce smaller numbers and target the people that ‘need’ to have a truck, whether it be for towing or hauling by offering a truck that is the class leader at what it is really built for. Personally, sign me up, it was interesting that they spotted a urea tank on the 2010. Maybe the diesel particulate filters on the current models rob too much power and fuel efficiency. Maybe with the urea injection they can provide larger power gains while still maintaining fuel efficiency.
I think what manufacturer’s need to focus on instead of maintaining fuel efficiency while boosting power, is maintaining power while boosting fuel efficiency. I have family in the construction biz – huge Ford diesels are the norm. I have yet to hear any of them complain about a lack of power. Not once.
So why do we need 700 lb-ft of torque in a 3/4 ton truck? If you need more power, step up to the 1 ton. If that isn’t enough, there are larger options – the F-450 comes to mind. The average Joe who buys a 3/4 ton truck simply doesn’t need all this capability. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not against truck buyers in any way. Lots of folks do work that requires a powerful truck. But there’s just no reason to keep increasing the power dramatically on the lower- mid grade trucks. If you want more, move up!
Leroy, I wish that was the case, go to the 1 ton and get more power, unfortunately, the manufacturers offer the same drive train in all these models. Just because there is an increase in the load capacity (from a 3/4 ton to 1 ton) does not mean that the manufacturer’s offer increased power, they don’t. It seems all the american truck manufacturers are going to offer what looks like in 2010 smaller diesel engines and flex fuel engines to offer increased fuel efficiency. At the same time it appears that at least GMC will also offer a higher HP/Torque engine as well. Seems from a buyers perspective you get the best of both worlds.
Beyond increased load capacity / towing capacity, what in the world does one need more power in a truck for? The 3/4 & 1 ton trucks aren’t going to win any drag races vs Corvettes, but no one can really accuse them of being slow. They have no trouble getting out of their own way – empty or loaded.
I don’t need a 3/4 ton truck that does 14′s in the quarter mile. Do you?
Well i have a 07 Sierra 2500HD, now i work for a landscaping company. and when your hauling a 17 foot trailer with 2 1200lb lawn tractors and a Full load of fresh grass in your box. it can bring it down. we also have about 9 trucks. only the 5500 is terrible on gas. the rest are rather good. and we drive them all day long. and it would also seem to me that the new trucks are alot better on gas then the older ones. i might fill mine twice a week. I cant complain at all about what GMC is doing. I actually rather enjoy thier tourqyness!