2019 Chevy Silverado 2.7L Turbo Prototype Drive
#1
2019 Chevy Silverado 2.7L Turbo Prototype Drive
Full-size pickup, four-cylinder engine
Every automaker is going great lengths to improve fuel economy, particularly in trucks. Ram has gone with ultra-mild hybrid technology, and Ford has gone with turbocharged V6 engines, a new diesel, and a 10-speed transmission. Until now, it appeared Chevy and GMC were going to focus on improving naturally aspirated V8s and adding a diesel. But it turns out Chevy had one other engine up its sleeve: a turbocharged four-cylinder.
Displacing just 2.7 liters, it is the smallest engine available on the 2019 Silverado — 300 cc less than the turbodiesel engine that's also coming. But don't let the size fool you. This new four-cylinder has specs that outperform the effectively carried-over 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V6. At 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque, the inline-four has a 25 horse and 43 pound-foot advantage over the V6. And while exact fuel economy numbers have yet to be released, Chevy says the turbo engine will be more efficient than the V6. On top of all that, the four-cylinder also boasts a peak torque plateau between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, while peak power comes at 5,600 rpm.
Chevy put a lot of work and some fascinating technology into this engine to get these numbers. First off, the company claims that this engine is completely new; not a modified version of an existing turbocharged GM four-cylinder. It was built from the ground up as a truck engine. Like some of its larger brethren, it also features cylinder deactivation. It can shut off two of its cylinders, made possible by a nifty variable cam lift feature.
The camshafts themselves can slide in order to select different cam profiles, and all of the cylinders can run in a high-lift setting for maximum power, or they can shift to a low-lift setting for improved fuel economy under reduced load. There's also a third setting that will shut off valves to two cylinders while keeping two others in low-lift mode for maximum fuel economy at cruising speeds.
In addition to the trick camshafts, Chevy did a bit of fiddling with the turbo and the cooling system. Chevy is now among many companies employing exhaust manifolds integrated into the head, which allows Chevy to provide additional cooling to the exhaust close to the turbo. This also helps warm up the engine more quickly at start-up.
Getting back to the turbocharger, it features an evolution of the twin-scroll design, but instead of the exhaust pulses coming to the impeller side-by-side on one end of the impeller, they come in on opposite sides of the impeller wheel, as shown in the diagram above. So instead of one set of pulses hitting the outside of the impeller, and another hitting the inside, both sets are catching the outside of the impeller. Bolted to the turbo is an electric wastegate, which can open at cruising speeds and let exhaust flow more freely, improving cruising fuel economy.
Now that we've made it through all this tech talk, the big question is, is the four-cylinder any good? And we can give you an answer because we were given a chance to drive a prototype back-to-back with a current V6 model for comparison. And in general, it's a big improvement. The low-down torque is very noticeable, helping it take off with more authority than the old V6 model. The turbo spools up very quickly, and there's hardly any lag when hitting the gas. Odds are any delay you might feel is coming from the transmission, which is an eight-speed automatic for reference.
Not everything is perfect with the four-cylinder, though. Our big complaint is that, well, it sounds like a four-cylinder, and it certainly doesn't come close to the hearty burble of the V8s. In fact, when really worked, it starts to get a bit coarse and buzzy. Thankfully, it does deliver good pulling power even as you're working it, so it doesn't feel strained. And it always seems to pull harder and rev more readily than the lazy old V6.
If you want to pick up a four-cylinder for yourself, it's only offered on LT and RST trims as the standard engine, taking the place of the V6. Those trims can also be had with the optional 5.3-liter V8 with Chevy's new cylinder deactivation system that can shut off as many as seven cylinders, or the new 3.0-liter turbodiesel. The LT Trail Boss is only available with the 5.3-liter engine. The entry-level Work Truck and Classic trims still come standard with the 4.3-liter V6, and their optional engine is the 5.3-liter V8 that can only shut off four cylinders. Classic Trail Boss is only available with that V8. The top-end LTZ and High Country come with the fancy 5.3-liter V8 standard with options in the form of the 6.2-liter V8 and turbodiesel. Pricing and fuel economy of all these trucks will be announced later this year, closer to when the trucks go on sale.
Displacing just 2.7 liters, it is the smallest engine available on the 2019 Silverado — 300 cc less than the turbodiesel engine that's also coming. But don't let the size fool you. This new four-cylinder has specs that outperform the effectively carried-over 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V6. At 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque, the inline-four has a 25 horse and 43 pound-foot advantage over the V6. And while exact fuel economy numbers have yet to be released, Chevy says the turbo engine will be more efficient than the V6. On top of all that, the four-cylinder also boasts a peak torque plateau between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, while peak power comes at 5,600 rpm.
Chevy put a lot of work and some fascinating technology into this engine to get these numbers. First off, the company claims that this engine is completely new; not a modified version of an existing turbocharged GM four-cylinder. It was built from the ground up as a truck engine. Like some of its larger brethren, it also features cylinder deactivation. It can shut off two of its cylinders, made possible by a nifty variable cam lift feature.
The camshafts themselves can slide in order to select different cam profiles, and all of the cylinders can run in a high-lift setting for maximum power, or they can shift to a low-lift setting for improved fuel economy under reduced load. There's also a third setting that will shut off valves to two cylinders while keeping two others in low-lift mode for maximum fuel economy at cruising speeds.
In addition to the trick camshafts, Chevy did a bit of fiddling with the turbo and the cooling system. Chevy is now among many companies employing exhaust manifolds integrated into the head, which allows Chevy to provide additional cooling to the exhaust close to the turbo. This also helps warm up the engine more quickly at start-up.
Getting back to the turbocharger, it features an evolution of the twin-scroll design, but instead of the exhaust pulses coming to the impeller side-by-side on one end of the impeller, they come in on opposite sides of the impeller wheel, as shown in the diagram above. So instead of one set of pulses hitting the outside of the impeller, and another hitting the inside, both sets are catching the outside of the impeller. Bolted to the turbo is an electric wastegate, which can open at cruising speeds and let exhaust flow more freely, improving cruising fuel economy.
Now that we've made it through all this tech talk, the big question is, is the four-cylinder any good? And we can give you an answer because we were given a chance to drive a prototype back-to-back with a current V6 model for comparison. And in general, it's a big improvement. The low-down torque is very noticeable, helping it take off with more authority than the old V6 model. The turbo spools up very quickly, and there's hardly any lag when hitting the gas. Odds are any delay you might feel is coming from the transmission, which is an eight-speed automatic for reference.
Not everything is perfect with the four-cylinder, though. Our big complaint is that, well, it sounds like a four-cylinder, and it certainly doesn't come close to the hearty burble of the V8s. In fact, when really worked, it starts to get a bit coarse and buzzy. Thankfully, it does deliver good pulling power even as you're working it, so it doesn't feel strained. And it always seems to pull harder and rev more readily than the lazy old V6.
If you want to pick up a four-cylinder for yourself, it's only offered on LT and RST trims as the standard engine, taking the place of the V6. Those trims can also be had with the optional 5.3-liter V8 with Chevy's new cylinder deactivation system that can shut off as many as seven cylinders, or the new 3.0-liter turbodiesel. The LT Trail Boss is only available with the 5.3-liter engine. The entry-level Work Truck and Classic trims still come standard with the 4.3-liter V6, and their optional engine is the 5.3-liter V8 that can only shut off four cylinders. Classic Trail Boss is only available with that V8. The top-end LTZ and High Country come with the fancy 5.3-liter V8 standard with options in the form of the 6.2-liter V8 and turbodiesel. Pricing and fuel economy of all these trucks will be announced later this year, closer to when the trucks go on sale.
#3
The pursuit of F
^^^My initial reaction too but when I was a passenger of the 2.7 Ecoboost (albeit V6 with a bit more power than GM's Turbo 4) in the F150, I was pretty impressed at the power and NVH.
#4
Lexus Fanatic
The numbers are impressive for a 4 cyl, 310/348. What does such a motor drive like, and how durable is it? Why isn't such a motor in those all-new Buick Enclave/Chevy Traverses, who are still powered by a late 2008 gas guzzling design, and starved for torque?
#5
Yes they are.
Well from the review above half your question can be answered:
Because those models debuted before the 2019 Silverado. The powerplant was not ready at that time. Now it is. In due time.
Well from the review above half your question can be answered:
Now that we've made it through all this tech talk, the big question is, is the four-cylinder any good? And we can give you an answer because we were given a chance to drive a prototype back-to-back with a current V6 model for comparison. And in general, it's a big improvement. The low-down torque is very noticeable, helping it take off with more authority than the old V6 model. The turbo spools up very quickly, and there's hardly any lag when hitting the gas. Odds are any delay you might feel is coming from the transmission, which is an eight-speed automatic for reference.
Not everything is perfect with the four-cylinder, though. Our big complaint is that, well, it sounds like a four-cylinder, and it certainly doesn't come close to the hearty burble of the V8s. In fact, when really worked, it starts to get a bit coarse and buzzy. Thankfully, it does deliver good pulling power even as you're working it, so it doesn't feel strained.
Not everything is perfect with the four-cylinder, though. Our big complaint is that, well, it sounds like a four-cylinder, and it certainly doesn't come close to the hearty burble of the V8s. In fact, when really worked, it starts to get a bit coarse and buzzy. Thankfully, it does deliver good pulling power even as you're working it, so it doesn't feel strained.
#7
Keep the engine out of boost on the EPA cycle, it gets good MPG. Drive it like most people, its in boost, more air=more fuel=crap mpg.
Plus I'm still of the notion that engines with a turbocharger are going to incur some serious repair bills in that 100k-200k mile range, especially if you neglect stuff like oil changes that might not hurt a naturally aspirated motor too much. Old oil will cook in hot turbocharger bearings.
Still though, those power numbers are impressive, my 2011 4.6 V8 Tundra is making similar horsepower and less torque at a higher rpm. I'm still a bit skeptical though, seems like all the non-V8 engines GM makes, they have impressive power numbers, but in the real world they don't drive like those numbers would indicate and are slower than what those horsepower numbers would suggest. Compare 3.6 V6 Cadillac against a twin turbo BMW inline six, that BMW blows the Cadillac out of the water in terms of drivability and in the numbers department like 0-60, quarter mile times, despite them being somewhat close in peak hp numbers.
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#8
Plus I'm still of the notion that engines with a turbocharger are going to incur some serious repair bills in that 100k-200k mile range, especially if you neglect stuff like oil changes that might not hurt a naturally aspirated motor too much. Old oil will cook in hot turbocharger bearings.
Ford plucked a random EcoBoost V6 off the assembly line. It was sent to their Cleveland engine plant and run for 300 hours to replicate 150,000 customer miles. Then it was shipped to Kansis City truck plant and installed in a F-150 and put to work as a log skidder in Oregon dragging a total of 110,000 pounds. It was then drive across the country to Miami Speedway. Hooked up to a trailer carrying two of Richard Petty's Ford Fusion racecars, a load of 11,300lbs and run continuallsy around the track for 24hours averaging 82mph and covered 1,607 miles. Then it was taken to Davis Dam and won an uphill towing contest aginast a Silverado and Ram pulling 9,000lbs. Finally the engine was shipped to Arizona and installed in a 7,100lb racetruck that practiced locally for 1,200 miles before being raced in the SCORE Baja 1000 (toughest off-road race in North America - Lexus LX has won this event 3 times). Finishing first overall in the new Stock engine class after 1,062 race miles. After Baja it was sent to Ford HQ in Dearborn and dyno tested having 1 less hp and the same 420lbft as when it began it's journy. It was inspected in front of a live audience. You can read the rest here: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/01...ooks-like.html
#9
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
^^ wow, that ecoboost torture test and result is AMAZING.
#11
^^ 2.7*. Yeah Ford is doing a good job of the 'EcoBoost' family so to speak. Let's see they have 2.0T (4), 2.3T (4), 2.7TT (6), 3.0TT (6), 3.5TT. Hope I'm not missing one. Still hoping one day for an EcoBoost V8 but I fear I can't hold my breath.
Props to Chevy, replacing the 4.3L NA V6. Ford will likely replace that new 3.3L NA V6 in the near future with the 2.3T that is in the upcoming Ranger for a base engine on the F-150 I'd wager.
Props to Chevy, replacing the 4.3L NA V6. Ford will likely replace that new 3.3L NA V6 in the near future with the 2.3T that is in the upcoming Ranger for a base engine on the F-150 I'd wager.
#14
Also the Ecoboost truck motors aren't bullet proof, they do have their issues. Certain earlier years have a problem where water accumulates in the bottom of the intercooler, due to condensation and bad design on the intercooler. When you floor it, the engine sucks in the water and hydrolocks the motor, throwing rods through the block and all kinds of other fun things. I'm sure the Ecoboost motors are fine if you trade your truck in every 4 or 5 years, but after 10, 15, 20 years, I kind of have my doubts that there will be any on the road, the cost to repair them is going to be sky high compared to an older Ford truck with a 302 V8 or 4.6 modular V8.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/gt/2017/2017-ford-gt-first-test-review/
Last edited by 4TehNguyen; 05-20-18 at 04:56 PM.