Autoblog

GM-Isuzu joint venture assembles 1.5-millionth Duramax diesel

Zach Bowman — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors and Isuzu have officially stitched together 1.5 million Duramax 6.6-liter diesel engines. The joint venture between the two manufacturers started in 1998, and now the DMAX plant employs 517 workers in a 584,000 square-foot facility. GM introduced the Duramax turbo diesel engine to the US market for the 2001 model year, and it can be found trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD as well as the full-size Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. In its current configuration, the engine yields 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque at just 1,600 rpm.

Of course, the big oil burner has plenty of tuning potential as well. As you may recall, a Duramax-powered truck recently set the land speed record for towing a vehicle at 142 miles per hour.

GM owns 60 percent of the joint venture, with Isuzu laying claim to the remaining 40 percent. The facility is located in Chicago. You can take a look at the brief press release below for more information on the milestone.

Continue reading GM-Isuzu joint venture assembles 1.5-millionth Duramax diesel

GM-Isuzu joint venture assembles 1.5-millionth Duramax diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General to offer civilian Humvee kit car

George Kennedy — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:51:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Hummer, Military, Diesel, Off-Road

For anyone feeling nostalgic about the passing of the Hummer brand, or the actual wartime vehicle that inspired it, now is your chance to own a version of the original HMMWV, albeit without an engine.

After a 12-year hiatus from the civilian vehicle market, AM General is reportedly set to offer a kit-car of the C-Series Humvee. The kit will conform to U.S. government regulations and has been made possible by a deal with General Motors.

The kit costs $59,000 - and you still need an engine. A likely favorite would be a Duramax Diesel V8 and Allison transmission combination, as was found on the H1 Alpha. AM General estimates that an owner could buy the kit Humvee and outfit a powerplant and transmission for $75,000. Not bad, considering that H1 Alpha has an MSRP of $140,000 in 2005.

How is this possible? If you recall, GM was trying to unload the Hummer brand to Chinese-based Sichuan-Tengzhong, among other suitors. As we all know, a deal never happened and the brand rumbled off into the sunset. The deal with AM General worked so that the military Humvee producer could offer a vehicle to the public as long as it was fundamentally different from the H1. By offering a kit car, they apparently end-around much of the legal confines.

But that also means are other setbacks. The final product will not look like the civilian Hummer H1, and it will not have niceties like interior trim, power locks, door mounted mirrors, or even hard doors. It will simply be a four-seat, soft-top, soft door vehicle. AM General will offer 'add-on' factory options such as the Central Tire Inflation System, rocker protection, and potentially two-piece beadlock wheels.

As the story over at Hummer Guy puts it, "just remember - its a Humvee, not a Hummer."

AM General to offer civilian Humvee kit car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Chevrolet TrailBlazer revealed in Dubai [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chevrolet, Middle East, Diesel

General Motors has unveiled its next-generation Chevrolet TrailBlazer at the Dubai International Motor Show. The model is set to go on sale around the world, though Thailand will have the first crack at the vehicle in early 2012.

The 2013 TrailBlazer features seating for seven, and, since the SUV is based off of the new global Chevrolet Colorado, it gets its power from a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine. GM stresses that the vehicle on display in the Middle East is a show vehicle, but we're guessing that the final product will look pretty similar to what you see above.

The next-generation TrailBlazer will feature second-row seats with a 60/40 split, and both the second and third rows fold flat to reveal a sizable cargo area. With most SUVs abandoning their rugged roots for the softer ways of the crossover world, the new Trailblazer sound pretty good to us. Right now, there's no word on when the vehicle will show up in the U.S. or if it will come packing the same turbo-diesel engine when it arrives. Hit the jump for the full press release as well as a quick video.

Continue reading New Chevrolet TrailBlazer revealed in Dubai [w/video]

New Chevrolet TrailBlazer revealed in Dubai [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Chevrolet releases new "Duramax & Allison" ad campaign to promote Silverado HD

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Humor, Diesel

Max and Al see eye-to-eye - Click above to watch the videos after the break

General Motors' advertising department has seen quite a shakeup over the past year. GM chief marketing officer Joel Ewanick may have hand-picked San Francisco-based Goodby, Silverstein and Partners as his ad agency of choice, but the good ol' boys from Campbell-Ewald still have some tricks up their sleeves for Chevy Trucks.

The world may not completely understand how and why Chevy runs deep (to be fair, we're going to give it some time...), but nobody is going to miss the hidden meaning of GM's new "Max and Al" campaign, which features the recognizable faces of Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement) as Max, and Craig Robinson (The Office, Last Comic Standing, Hot Tub Time Machine) as Al.

What hidden meaning, you ask? You'll see it clearly when you watch the videos, naturally, but basically what we have here is a message that GM's Duramax diesel V8 engine and Allison transmission is a time-tested and proven combination that is the thinking man's obvious choice in a segment that also includes Ford's Power Stroke and Ram's Cummins series.

There's a website (www.maxandal.com), a series of videos (which you can find after the break along with the press release) an upcoming online game and even a downloadable app that's said to be coming soon to the iPhone App Store. Oh, and what modern-day marketing campaign would be complete without a FaceBook page and a Twitter account? Not this one, that's for sure.

Check out all the facets of this far-reaching HD pickup advertising campaign and let us know what you think of it. Us? Well, let's just say Chevy's got our stamp of approval so far on this one.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Videos: Chevrolet releases new "Duramax & Allison" ad campaign to promote Silverado HD

Videos: Chevrolet releases new "Duramax & Allison" ad campaign to promote Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, GM, Diesel

2011 Ford Super Duty pickup - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has made it official: beginning with next week's production, the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbo diesel in the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup will be upgraded to 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. That's a bump of 10 hp and a jump of 65 lb-ft, enough to leapfrog General Motors' 6.6-liter Duramax by 3 hp and 35 lb-ft. Or, to put more bluntly, enough to run over the Duramax on its way to the top of the heavy duty engine heap.

Further, at the end of August, the Super Duty's frame will be strengthened, upping its payload rating by 550 pounds (to 7,070), which will also increase its fifth-wheel tow rating by 1,000 pounds to 22,600.

Although not much can be done for your tow rating if you bought a Super Duty as soon as it hit the showroom, you can get the power upgrade from your suddenly feeble 635 torques. For one year starting on August 31, 2010, will be able to take their pickups into Ford dealers and get their engines tweaked to the new standard. Since there's no hardware involved, Ford says it should take just 20 minutes to get the reflash job done - learn more with the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty

Photos by Rex Roy / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Sources: Ford, Detroit News]

Continue reading Official: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available

Official: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, GM

In February, the specs on Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 were announced: 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. A month later, General Motors laid out the specs on its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel: 397 hp and 765 lb-ft. According to PickupTrucks.com, the Duramax could be shoved to the corner again later this year, when a high-output Super Duty blows out the footlights with 400 hp and 800 - or more - lb-ft of twisting gumption.

According to the unknown source within the Blue Oval, Ford's new 6R140 TorqShift six-speed transmission has strong enough guts that Ford can open up the taps on that engine a bit. And give GM something to think about. If this absurdly powerful dream does come true, the behemoth motor will be seen in the second wave of 2011 Super Duty pickups that begin production in a few months. No word on whether early adopters of the 6.7-liter will get a free upgrade.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM reconsidering 4.5-liter Duramax diesel for use in HD pickups

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

As you may have noticed, automobile sales are picking back up after their seemingly perpetual nosedive of the last two years or so. The same holds true for fullsize pickup trucks, and we're hoping that this resurgence will bring back some of the more interesting developments that had to be shelved due to monetary constraints. Chief amongst these wishes are the unfortunately abandoned light-duty diesel engines from Dodge, Ford and General Motors.

With that in mind, our interest is piqued by a report from our friends at PickupTrucks.com suggesting that the previously shelved 4.5-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine from GM may be back on the table, except with an interesting twist. While the oil-burning powerplant was originally intended just for half ton trucks, GM is reportedly now considering offering the mill in all of its fullsize trucks, including the Heavy Duty models.

General Motors indicates that its 4.5-liter diesel V8 engine is "fully developed and ready" to launch with power ratings of over 310 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque. Those figures would just about match what the larger Duramax diesels were putting out about a decade ago and seemingly be plenty for the 2500 class of trucks. What's more, The General told our own Sam Abuelsamid that the still-running fleet of 4.5 diesels is averaging an impressive 25 miles per gallon.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

GM reconsidering 4.5-liter Duramax diesel for use in HD pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM adds two more Sierra HD Denali models

Zach Bowman — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, GMC, Luxury

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has just announced that the GMC Denali line will get a little more diverse starting next year. Buyers will now be able to have their 2011 Sierra Denali HD 2500 in two-wheel drive guise for the first time, and the Sierra Denali HD 3500 will join the ranks as well. Until now, customers haven't been able to get all of the fancy bells and whistles that accompany the luxury package on a 1-ton truck, but GM says that after seeing the warm reception of the Denali HD 2500, the move just made sense.

Both trucks still come standard with the same 6.0-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. For a little extra scratch, GM will be more than happy to plop the beefy Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel engine under the hood, complete with an Allison six-speed automatic gearbox. Yes, that's the same bio-diesel capable mill that boasts a heady 765 lb-ft or torque.

GM also made it clear that starting in 2011, the Sierra Denali HD 3500 will also be available with standard and long-bed options. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM adds two more Sierra HD Denali models

GM adds two more Sierra HD Denali models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC, Diesel

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

Not even a month ago, at the end of our post on the 2011 Ford Super Duty engine specs, we wrote: "General Motors, there's a big ass ball in your court." Someone at GM has apparently grabbed their big ass racket and said, "Oh, I got this...", then smacked the ball right back into play. The Ford's measurements 390 horsepower, 735 pound-feet of grunt. The General has just announced that its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel has 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft. of torque, a jump of 32 horsepower and 105 lb-ft. over the previous Duramax.

A closer look at the numbers does reveal some give-and-take, however. The Ford's maximum tow rating is 21,600 pounds, while GM's is 20,000 pounds. And while not exactly engine related, the Ford truck also has a higher max payload than the GM twins. Still, the RenCen pickups take the power crown, and the new Duramax is more efficient than the previous one - GM didn't put a specific mileage number to it, but claims 680 miles of highway going possible from the 36-gallon tank. You'll find GM's press release on the new engine after the jump.

In related news, GM has released the first image of its GMC Sierra Denali HD pickup, mechanical and sheetmetal twin of the Chevrolet Silverado HD. There's an additional press release after the jump for it as well.

So... anyone else want to take a swing at that even bigger ass ball?

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD

GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford turns down Heavy Duty tug of war challenge with GM

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Etc., Work, Ford, GM

Well this is just too bad. As you may recall, Pickuptrucks.com was chatting with Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product operations, about GM's new heavy duty pickup trucks. Suddenly Stephens said something quite interesting:

"You know what I want to do to prove it? I want to take our truck and Ford's [new Super Duty] and chain them together back-to-back. Then I want to have them pull against each other. I know our truck will beat theirs."

How cool would that have been? Supremely cool. However, Ford chooses to think different. Via twitter, Ford was asked by a Pickuptrucks.com reader if they'd accept the challenge. Ford said, "We typically don't respond to challenges. We let the vehicles speak for themselves." Ford ended their statement with this link illustrating that the Ford F Series has been America's best selling vehicle for 33 years straight. As we used to say in 4th grade, "Oooh! Burned!"

Still, we would have really loved to watch a tug of war. Who would have won? Probably a Dodge. On a semi-related note, Pickuptrucks.com's Mike Levine was bragging via Facebook about the Ford SVT Raptor he's driving this week. We asked him if he would like to chain it to the 470-hp Jaguar XF Supercharged we're driving this week and have ourselves a little tug of war. Levine's response, "Only if we do it in mid-air." Touché.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Ford turns down Heavy Duty tug of war challenge with GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM challenges Ford to heavy-duty pickup tug of war

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC, Diesel

Pickuptrucks.com sat down with Tom Stephens, General Motors' vice chairman of global product operations at the Detroit Auto Show, and during the course of the conversation, Stephens began espousing the virtues of the General's new Duramax diesel, due to be fitted to the 2011 Chevrolet and GMC Heavy Duty pickups.

Obviously, it's not rare for an exec to speak highly of a new engine, but in a rare moment of brand fervor, Stephens issued a challenge:

"You know what I want to do to prove it? I want to take our truck and Ford's [new Super Duty] and chain them together back-to-back. Then I want to have them pull against each other. I know our truck will beat theirs."

After making sure Stephens was serious, the site's intrepid editor, Mike Levine, contacted Ford to see if it was interested in the challenge. He hasn't gotten an official response yet, but he's ready to play referee and set up an event in Texas to pit the two H-D haulers against each other. Consider the gauntlet thrown. Ford? We anxiously await your response...

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

GM challenges Ford to heavy-duty pickup tug of war originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Isuzu proposes new HD diesel engine for GM?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, GM, Rumormill, Diesel

We're not entirely sure what to make of reports regarding Isuzu's tie-up with General Motors for diesel engines that seem to conflict with one another, but here we go anyway. According to Bloomberg, Isuzu is considering whether it should end its joint venture with The General for the production of large-displacement Duramax diesel engines.

PickupTrucks.com adds that GM has its own excellent team of diesel engine specialists that are fully capable of designing the automaker's next heavy duty truck engines. In fact, the 4.5-liter diesel that had been planned for light duty applications was wholly engineered by GM. Okay, got it.

But wait. According to Green Car Advisor (sadly without citing sources), Isuzu has proposed that it develop a new HD diesel engine for GM. Both reports could be true; Isuzu may have decided that it should continue to work with GM, and that could have led to the proposal, but we can't say for sure.

GCA also indicates (again, without citing a source) that GM and Isuzu are also in talks that would have the Japanese company take the lead in developing new pickup trucks for Southeast Asia and South America. GM's current Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups share common underpinnings with trucks that Isuzu developed for overseas sales.

[Source: Bloomberg, PickupTrucks.com, Green Car Advisor]

REPORT: Isuzu proposes new HD diesel engine for GM? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Badass Chevy Chevelle isn't as fuelish as it seems

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Diesel

1970 Duramax Chevrolet Chevelle custom - Click above for high-res image gallery

The clean exterior of this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle hides a wicked little secret - if you take a look at the photo above, you'll see what we mean. The bundle of plumbing you see spilling out of the engine bay tells only part of the story - that's no overworked Chevy small block in there, it's a Duramax diesel that has been pushed to new heights thanks to an outrageous custom twin-turbo setup. The stripped-out interior and racing slicks out back show the true purpose of this ride.

The Chevelle was built by Mike Racke and was recognized as one of Popular Hot Rodding magazine's Top Ten Builds this year. We couldn't agree more.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Duramax Chevelle

SEMA 2009: Badass Chevy Chevelle isn't as fuelish as it seems originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

The revamped 6.6-liter Duramax V8 engine will go into production in April 2010 and the current Duramax, which doesn't meet emissions requirements that go into effect January 1, 2010, will cease production the day before the new year begins. In the interim, GM will be retooling the factory and won't be producing any of the engines to go in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

This has some dealers and outside observers wondering if GM will run out of 2009 Duramax engines before the new ones are built and installed in engine bays. One dealer says GM will take orders for extended cab models with the big diesel, but no longer accepts orders for Duramax regular cabs. Analysts believe that with the car and work truck market showing some recovery, that demand will grow just as GM is trying to play the inventory game.

While the General prepares it's urea-infused powerplants, any engines that GM builds through the end of 2009 can be installed in vehicles even if those vehicles are ordered and built next year. For now, GM says it is padding its stocks of Duramax engines and is confident about being able to meet the need.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: GM halting Duramax production for 10 weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's Duramax diesel goes under the knife, loses weight

Chris Shunk — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

GM's new 4.5L Duramax diesel engine promises a 25% increase in fuel economy while providing 310 hp and 525 lb-ft. The new oil-burning powerplant also needs to pass 50 state emissions while providing the efficiency customers are demanding. GM has already provided some details of the Duramax 4.5L, including that the new diesel is roughly the same size as the General's compact small block V8, which means it can fit in more than just trucks and SUVs. The 4.5-liter also reduces the parts count with integrated aluminum cylinder head exhaust manifolds and an integral cam cover intake manifold. GM talked to Automotive News about new features of the lower half of the 4.5L Duramax, and they're just as extensive as the top.

[Source: Automotive News subs req'd]

Continue reading GM's Duramax diesel goes under the knife, loses weight

GM's Duramax diesel goes under the knife, loses weight originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks can deceive: 6.6L Duramax-powered Buick GNX clone

Alex Nunez — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Buick, GM

The car you see here is not a GNX. Hell, it's not even a Buick. You'd be forgiven if you thought it was, though, and it does sport a turbocharger underhood. David Morad was so enamored with the 6.6L LB7 Duramax diesel in his truck that he wanted to put it into something lighter and more fun. He decided to build a Grand National around the engine, and started buying up whatever applicable Buick body parts he could find -- right down to legit GNX dash plates. Next, he bought an '82 Buick Regal diesel that was to be the subject of the transformation. Unfortunately, that car literally self-immolated as he drove it home, sending Morad straight back to square one.

He subsequently found and bought an '81 Olds diesel and got to work. The car was cut in half so that a Regal rear end could be welded on, and then a laundry list of major modifications followed. To retain the stock Buick exterior appearance while incorporating the new powertrain, everything under the skin is is either extensively modified or custom fabricated in order to allow for the deception. Sure, it looks like a GNX, but this is really a scratch-built machine. Wilwood brakes lurk behind some absolutely wicked deep-dish Budnik wheels (dig those steamrollers in back), which nicely compliment the menacing black bodywork. Diesel Power magazine covers all the build's specifics in detail, and it's well worth a read.

If you're gonna masquerade as a GNX, you'd better bring some punch to the costume party, and Morad's car does. As of Diesel Power's publication, it ran an 8.25-second eighth of a mile, which they figure works out to somewhere in the 12s for the quarter. He'll be gunning for the 11s next, and additional performance upgrades are in store. Best of all? This is Morad's daily driver! He reports that it gets around 28 mpg in regular use and in the mid-30s on the highway. Not a bad combination: the looks of a GNX, the grunt of a big turbodiesel, and the fuel economy of cars that are a lot more boring. This thing had to cost a fortune to make, but Morad's clearly getting his money's worth on the fun scale.

[Source: Diesel Power via Next Autos]

Looks can deceive: 6.6L Duramax-powered Buick GNX clone originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM bets $69 million on diesel plant in Ohio

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, GM

New emissions standards in 2010 will make things too stringent for GM's Duramax diesel, in its current form, to make the grade. To help its prize student pass the looming tests, GM is investing $69 million in its DMAX plant (a joint venture diesel engine factory in Moraine, Ohio) for plant renovations and new machinery and tooling.

While GM doesn't really rate the uptake of diesel in the American market in passenger cars, the Duramax is an engine that has powered its fair share of GM sales. Since its introduction in 2001, more than one million Duramax diesels have found their way on the road in Chevy Silverados, GMC Sierras, full-size vans and some medium duty trucks. The current 6.6-liter Duramax V8 has a diesel particulate filter to meet today's standards. For 2010, GM will add a selective catalytic reduction NOx after-treatment system (along with the particulate filter) to meet the Tier 2 BIN and LEV 2 emissions standards. It will remain good to go in all 50 states.

[Source: GM]

GM bets $69 million on diesel plant in Ohio originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spied HUMMER H2T actually a diesel?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, GM, Hummer

At least one person has lamented the lack of diesel options for the H2 SUT. In case that's you, PickupTruck.Com speculates that the coming H2T (the new name for the H2 SUT, to bring it in line with H3T naming) could be offered with a diesel. The clue is in the big-bore tailpipe seen in the spy shots, which could indicate the use of a 'venturi-effect' tailpipe. It's the kind of setup GM uses on its Silverado and Sierra HDs to keep the oil burners from spewing black smoke.

PickupTruck also wonders if this is the first truck we'll see with GM's 4.5-liter light-duty diesel. Sure, it's all guesswork right now, but we're betting GM would make more than one person happy by offering diesels in its revamped H2 line -- especially if, as some people are saying, it's going to get even larger in its next iteration.

[Source: PickupTruck.Com]

Spied HUMMER H2T actually a diesel? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2007: Chevy Silverado HD Crew Z71 "Big Red"

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Truck, Chevrolet

Click the image above for more "Big Red"

Even though Chevy denies buyers a Z71 version of the Silverado 2500HD, it wants you to know how cool it could be. Say hello to "Big Red," powered by a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel backed by a six-speed Allison transmission, it combines a number of GM performance accessories with Rancho shocks and an "Earnhardt Red" paint scheme similar to that found on last year's NASCAR-legend inspired offering.

Chevy's full press release is posted after the jump.

Gallery: Chevrolet HD Crew Z71 "Big Red"

Continue reading SEMA 2007: Chevy Silverado HD Crew Z71 "Big Red"

SEMA 2007: Chevy Silverado HD Crew Z71 "Big Red" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pickuptruck.com concludes 2007 Heavy Duty Shootout... who won?

John Neff — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Work, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC

In Parts 1 and 2 of his 2007 Heavy Duty Shootout, Mike Levine and his cohorts from Pickuptruck.com compared the acceleration of gas three-quarter ton and diesel one-ton pickups from Dodge, Chevy/GMC and Ford on flat surfaces, both unloaded and loaded with 10,500-lb trailers. For the third and final report, however, Levine introduced grades of 7% and 15% to the equation.

The results were surprising, and really had the most influence on Pickuptruck.com's final conclusions. We won't spoil the dramatic tail of each hill climb at Ford's Michigan Proving Grounds, but the 2007 Ford F-250 with its 6.8L Triton V10 was particularly impressive in the gasser category, and as anyone who has driven one would expect, the 2007 Chevy Silverado 3500 and its 6.6L Duramax diesel/6-speed transmission combo proved overly dominant among the oil burners. That said, the conclusions are only half the story, as Pickuptruck.com follows each truck through every gear as they climb their grades. These rigorous tests brought every truck's weakness, which were glaring in some cases, as well as their strengths.

Click the Read link below to read the conclusion to the 2007 Heavy Duty Shootout and learn once and for all what pickup these guys would park in their garage.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Pickuptruck.com concludes 2007 Heavy Duty Shootout... who won? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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