1st Glimpse of 2019 3.0L Duramax Diesel

The online configuration page for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 just went live… and it showed more than just the exterior.

Eagle-eyed shoppers and Chevy enthusiasts will find that the upcoming pickup can be specced out with an all-new 3.0L Duramax diesel engine. The turborcharged mill, officially known as the LM2 Duramax I-6, is only available in the upper trim levels of the 1500, namely the LT, RST LTZ and High Country models.

The new engine is paired with a 10-speed slushbox, and Chevy claims it will be the most fuel-efficient powerplant among the whole 1500 lineup for 2019. Based on earlier leaks, the new mill is expected to produce 282hp and 450 lb/ft of torque, while getting 28mpg on the highway.

The 3.0L LM2 will make its debut alongside the also-new 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder mill, which will be standard for Silverado LTs. Higher up the chain, upper crust models can be equipped with a 5.3L L84 V8 or a 6.2L L87 V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management.

Released in August, the 2019 Silverado represents a significant break from its predecessor. Apart from the all-new engine options, the 2019 pickup is based on GM’s newly developed T1 platform for full-size trucks, instead of the older K2 platform. The new pickup is GM’s long-awaited answer to the market dominance of Ford’s F-series trucks, by offering turbocharged engines and diesel options for light-duty models.