and on the towing front
04-01-2013, 06:01 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
and on the towing front
April 1, 2013 at 2:30 pm
'14 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra 1500 will have improved fuel economy
By Melissa Burden
The Detroit News
2 Comments
2014 Chevrolet Silverado (GM)
General Motors Co. on Monday said its all-new 2014 pickups will achieve better fuel economy than rival Ford Motor Co.'s 2013 F-150 pickup powered by it EcoBoost V-6 engine, and achieve the best fuel economy of any V-8 pickup on the road.
GM said its two-wheel drive 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups powered by the popular 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine will get 16 miles per gallon city and 23 mpg highway, according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates. Four-wheel-drive models will get 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, according to EPA estimates.
For two-wheel-drive, that's a 2 mpg improvement for highway driving over GM's current 5.3-liter V-8, a 2 mpg boost over comparative F-150 trucks and a 3 mpg improvement over the comparative Ram pickup, GM says. And the Detroit automaker said its new 5.3-liter V-8 bests EPA estimates for the 2013 Ford EcoBoost V-6 in two-wheel and four-wheel drive models by 1 mpg highway.
"We think Silverado's available 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 gives customers the best of both worlds," Jeff Luke, GM's executive chief engineer for the Silverado, said in a statement. "Customers get the proven power and dependability of a V-8 truck engine, with better fuel economy than a leading competitor's smaller turbocharged V-6."
Ford is expected to have new F-Series trucks out in 2014 and has not released fuel economy ratings for its 2014 F-Series models. Chrysler Group LLC just revealed a major refresh of its 2013 Ram last fall.
Ford spokesman Mike Levine said, "We're dedicated to continuously improving all of our products regardless of what our competition does," noting the torque in Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 is best suited for truck applications.
GM also appears that it wants to maintain and grow its pickup market share. Through February, GM's share of the full-size pickup market grew to 41.6 percent, up from 37.8 percent through the same period a year ago, according to J.D. Power and Associates' Price Information Network data. That tops Ford's share, according to GM.
Sales of the Silverado through February are up 30.3 percent, while sales of the Sierra are up 29.6 percent over the same months in 2012.
GM announced that the base price on the Silverado 1500 regular cab will remain the same as the 2013 model: $24,585, including a $995 destination charge. But GM says that new truck, which begins production this summer, has a more powerful and efficient engine, a six-speed transmission, a stronger and quieter cab and features such as standard box rail protectors and CornerStep bumper.
Base prices for the 2014 Silverado crew cab, the first pickup GM will launch this spring, and a new double cab Silverado, which replaces the extended cab and comes later, also will remain the same as 2013 models. The base Sierra begins at $25,085, an increase of $500 over the 2013 model, but it comes with more standard features such as a 4.2-inch radio display, projector headlamps, CornerStep rear bumper and cloth sets over vinyl seats today. It also has more standard features than the new Silverado such as a chrome ring surrounding the grille and chrome bumpers.
Silverado and Sierra buyers also will receive free standard maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles.
"The 2014 Silverado is new from hood to hitch," Alan Batey, GM's vice president of U.S. sales and service and interim chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "When you combine the innovative features of the new Silverado with base pricing equivalent to 2013 models and standard scheduled maintenance, we think Silverado becomes a great choice for pickup customers, helping them save money when they buy and when they drive."
The fuel economy figures and pricing had been awaited by consumers and analysts since GM rolled outs its new pickups to the media in December ahead of the North American International Auto Show.
GM North America President Mark Reuss said in December that the company is looking to outsell Ford's F-Series trucks with its new trucks.
Analysts expect GM's new trucks, which generate an estimated $10,000 profit each according to analysts, will help GM to boost its market share this year. The new trucks are replacing vehicles that were last redesigned as 2007 models and are the oldest on the road today.
The new Silverado and Sierra will be capable of towing 11,500 pounds — the most of any light-duty pickup with a V-8 or turbocharged V-6 engine. But buyers will need an optional max trailer package available on the new double cab version later this year that cost about $3,500 for the 2013 models; otherwise the towing rating is 9,700 pounds for a crew cab powered by the mainstream V-8 engine.
Payload capacity is rated at 2,102 pounds for GM's new 5.3-liter V-8 engine.
The 5.3-liter V-8 engine also is more powerful than its predecessor. It will achieve 355 horsepower and 383 foot-pounds of torque, according to SAE certifications. That's a boost of 40 horsepower and 48 foot-pounds of torque over the current 5.3-liter V-8 engine. GM's new 5.3-liter V-8 engine uses direct injection, cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing to help increase fuel efficiency.
GM said its new V-8 engine is expected to power three of four trucks it sells and is available to customers as an $895 option. GM's new pickups will come standard with a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V-6 engine that hits dealerships this summer and buyers also can choose an all-new 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine later.
The automaker will release fuel-efficiency ratings and other performance features on the 4.3-liter V-6 engine and an all-new 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 in the future.
The company also said its new heavy-duty pickups a mid-size truck based on the global Chevy Colorado are coming soon.
Karl Henkel contributed.
mburden@detroitnews.com
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz2PFf5jsrI
'14 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra 1500 will have improved fuel economy
By Melissa Burden
The Detroit News
2 Comments
2014 Chevrolet Silverado (GM)
General Motors Co. on Monday said its all-new 2014 pickups will achieve better fuel economy than rival Ford Motor Co.'s 2013 F-150 pickup powered by it EcoBoost V-6 engine, and achieve the best fuel economy of any V-8 pickup on the road.
GM said its two-wheel drive 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups powered by the popular 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine will get 16 miles per gallon city and 23 mpg highway, according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates. Four-wheel-drive models will get 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, according to EPA estimates.
For two-wheel-drive, that's a 2 mpg improvement for highway driving over GM's current 5.3-liter V-8, a 2 mpg boost over comparative F-150 trucks and a 3 mpg improvement over the comparative Ram pickup, GM says. And the Detroit automaker said its new 5.3-liter V-8 bests EPA estimates for the 2013 Ford EcoBoost V-6 in two-wheel and four-wheel drive models by 1 mpg highway.
"We think Silverado's available 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 gives customers the best of both worlds," Jeff Luke, GM's executive chief engineer for the Silverado, said in a statement. "Customers get the proven power and dependability of a V-8 truck engine, with better fuel economy than a leading competitor's smaller turbocharged V-6."
Ford is expected to have new F-Series trucks out in 2014 and has not released fuel economy ratings for its 2014 F-Series models. Chrysler Group LLC just revealed a major refresh of its 2013 Ram last fall.
Ford spokesman Mike Levine said, "We're dedicated to continuously improving all of our products regardless of what our competition does," noting the torque in Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 is best suited for truck applications.
GM also appears that it wants to maintain and grow its pickup market share. Through February, GM's share of the full-size pickup market grew to 41.6 percent, up from 37.8 percent through the same period a year ago, according to J.D. Power and Associates' Price Information Network data. That tops Ford's share, according to GM.
Sales of the Silverado through February are up 30.3 percent, while sales of the Sierra are up 29.6 percent over the same months in 2012.
GM announced that the base price on the Silverado 1500 regular cab will remain the same as the 2013 model: $24,585, including a $995 destination charge. But GM says that new truck, which begins production this summer, has a more powerful and efficient engine, a six-speed transmission, a stronger and quieter cab and features such as standard box rail protectors and CornerStep bumper.
Base prices for the 2014 Silverado crew cab, the first pickup GM will launch this spring, and a new double cab Silverado, which replaces the extended cab and comes later, also will remain the same as 2013 models. The base Sierra begins at $25,085, an increase of $500 over the 2013 model, but it comes with more standard features such as a 4.2-inch radio display, projector headlamps, CornerStep rear bumper and cloth sets over vinyl seats today. It also has more standard features than the new Silverado such as a chrome ring surrounding the grille and chrome bumpers.
Silverado and Sierra buyers also will receive free standard maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles.
"The 2014 Silverado is new from hood to hitch," Alan Batey, GM's vice president of U.S. sales and service and interim chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "When you combine the innovative features of the new Silverado with base pricing equivalent to 2013 models and standard scheduled maintenance, we think Silverado becomes a great choice for pickup customers, helping them save money when they buy and when they drive."
The fuel economy figures and pricing had been awaited by consumers and analysts since GM rolled outs its new pickups to the media in December ahead of the North American International Auto Show.
GM North America President Mark Reuss said in December that the company is looking to outsell Ford's F-Series trucks with its new trucks.
Analysts expect GM's new trucks, which generate an estimated $10,000 profit each according to analysts, will help GM to boost its market share this year. The new trucks are replacing vehicles that were last redesigned as 2007 models and are the oldest on the road today.
The new Silverado and Sierra will be capable of towing 11,500 pounds — the most of any light-duty pickup with a V-8 or turbocharged V-6 engine. But buyers will need an optional max trailer package available on the new double cab version later this year that cost about $3,500 for the 2013 models; otherwise the towing rating is 9,700 pounds for a crew cab powered by the mainstream V-8 engine.
Payload capacity is rated at 2,102 pounds for GM's new 5.3-liter V-8 engine.
The 5.3-liter V-8 engine also is more powerful than its predecessor. It will achieve 355 horsepower and 383 foot-pounds of torque, according to SAE certifications. That's a boost of 40 horsepower and 48 foot-pounds of torque over the current 5.3-liter V-8 engine. GM's new 5.3-liter V-8 engine uses direct injection, cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing to help increase fuel efficiency.
GM said its new V-8 engine is expected to power three of four trucks it sells and is available to customers as an $895 option. GM's new pickups will come standard with a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V-6 engine that hits dealerships this summer and buyers also can choose an all-new 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine later.
The automaker will release fuel-efficiency ratings and other performance features on the 4.3-liter V-6 engine and an all-new 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 in the future.
The company also said its new heavy-duty pickups a mid-size truck based on the global Chevy Colorado are coming soon.
Karl Henkel contributed.
mburden@detroitnews.com
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz2PFf5jsrI
04-01-2013, 06:02 PM
#2
Team Owner
Thread Starter
April 1, 2013 at 11:01 am
More efficient gas engines gain on diesels
U.S. diesel sales up, but some say growth will slow
By Karl Henkel
The Detroit News
6 Comments
Zoom
General Motors and Chrysler are adding diesels to their U.S. car and truck lineups, but traditional gasoline engines and hybrids are becoming so fuel-efficient that American consumers have fewer financial and performance reasons to buy them.
Diesel-powered cars are losing ground to advanced gasoline engines: They cost thousands of dollars more than comparable models with gas engines. They no longer have nearly the advantage in pulling power, at least in passenger cars. They don't deliver significantly better fuel economy. And diesel fuel costs about 36 cents a gallon more than regular unleaded.
Improvements in gasoline engines have closed the gaps in fuel efficiency and pulling power, said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the nonprofit Diesel Technology Forum. "There is quite a competitive landscape today, compared to what it was five or 10 years ago," he said.
While GM and Chrysler have decided to join European brands in offering more diesels, Ford Motor Co., Toyota and Hyundai have decided to stick with increasingly fuel-efficient gas engines and hybrids. All automakers are under pressure to squeeze more miles per gallon to meet federal fuel efficiency standards.
"There's no doubt the advancement in gasoline technology has improved and that has, in some respect, slowed down diesel options from OEMs," Tony Schultz, vice president of the Americas for technology supplier Honeywell International Inc.'s Turbo Technologies, said in a telephone interview.
And on a cost-basis, hybrids trump diesels, too. John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai, said the added cost to the consumer of hybridization is about $1,500, compared to $5,000 for diesel.
"When we ask if consumers are willing to pay that, they ask, 'What are you smoking?'" he said. "We all have great diesel engines available to us, but gasoline engines are growing."
Last year alone, U.S. sales of diesel vehicles rose 25 percent. But as a percentage of total industry sales, diesels made up only 2.7 percent of new-car purchases, said Edmunds.com. Hybrid vehicles — at about 3 percent of industry sales — outsold diesels in 2012.
Some analysts project growth will be much slower and limited to self-proclaimed diesel fans. And some automakers, like General Motors Co., have decided to take a methodical approach to diesel car introductions in the U.S. market.
Diesel's advantages ebb
Diesels for decades have been known for having better torque, or pulling power, than gas engines. But that advantage is dwindling.
Ford Motor Co.'s new 1-liter EcoBoost engine, a marriage of turbocharging, direct-injection and twin independent variable-camshaft timing, delivers 147 foot-pounds of torque. On a per-liter basis, the engine beats any other mass-produced car available in the U.S., and at a premium of about $1,000, compared to several thousand dollars for a diesel engine with comparable attributes.
Other gas engines will see torque improvements in coming years: GM's new 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 will have its torque boosted from 353 foot-pounds to 430 in the new Cadillac CTS sedan that's expected to hit showrooms later this year. And GM's turbocharged 1.4-liter is significantly more efficient than a comparable 2.2-liter from four years ago.
Diesels have also had an advantage in fuel efficiency, but that, too — at least by Environmental Protection Agency standards — is being challenged by gas engines.
Take for instance the new Chevrolet Cruze turbo diesel. GM says the car will get 42 highway miles per gallon — exactly the same fuel efficiency of the gasoline-powered Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which costs about $4,000 less than the diesel.
The diesel will likely get better real-world fuel efficiency, as most diesels do, but the upfront expense will extend greatly the time it takes to recover the cost. Depending on fuel costs, some consumers may never recover the cost.
Honeywell's Schultz admits that diesels, at least initially, are not the best value proposition.
"The math is not a great payback," he said. "But when you take into account the residual, there is some added value there."
Data from Kelley Blue Book show the residual value of diesel vehicles is about 4.6 percentage points higher than gas cars — partly because of higher base prices on diesels — and in all instances have higher resale values.
"In spite of the resale value and fuel economy advantages, consumers in the U.S. have been slow to accept this different form of powertrain and as a result, there are not a lot of diesel vehicles to choose from," said Eric Ibarra, KBB's director of residual values.
'Waning' in Europe
The Diesel Technology Forum says 23 diesel cars, SUVs and pickups are offered for sale in the U.S. It projects that number will grow to 54 by 2017.
Automotive forecaster ALG expects diesels to account for 5 percent of new-vehicle sales within three years, and auto supplier Robert Bosch predicts diesels will comprise 10 percent of the U.S. market by 2020.
Ford and GM sell plenty of diesel-powered cars in Europe. Diesels make up half of all new-car sales there. But even in Europe, their popularity there is "waning," Krafcik said. If U.S. market demand for diesels increases, Ford and GM could quickly make production adjustments to boost output.
Mark Fields, Ford's chief operating officer, touted Ford's manufacturing flexibility during a recent speech at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.
"If we see diesels start to take off here in the U.S., we can react very quickly," he said.
Some have said that by 2018, emissions standards in Europe and the United States will become close enough to allow for more economical diesel production.
But Jim Hall, analyst at 2953 Analytics, says even that won't significantly close the cost gap between diesel and gas.
"A diesel engine will always be more expensive than a gas engine built in similar quantities," Hall said in a telephone interview. "Higher volume doesn't make it less expensive to build than a gas engine."
khenkel@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2504
twitter.com/karlhenk
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz2PFfSwpT8
More efficient gas engines gain on diesels
U.S. diesel sales up, but some say growth will slow
By Karl Henkel
The Detroit News
6 Comments
Zoom
General Motors and Chrysler are adding diesels to their U.S. car and truck lineups, but traditional gasoline engines and hybrids are becoming so fuel-efficient that American consumers have fewer financial and performance reasons to buy them.
Diesel-powered cars are losing ground to advanced gasoline engines: They cost thousands of dollars more than comparable models with gas engines. They no longer have nearly the advantage in pulling power, at least in passenger cars. They don't deliver significantly better fuel economy. And diesel fuel costs about 36 cents a gallon more than regular unleaded.
Improvements in gasoline engines have closed the gaps in fuel efficiency and pulling power, said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the nonprofit Diesel Technology Forum. "There is quite a competitive landscape today, compared to what it was five or 10 years ago," he said.
While GM and Chrysler have decided to join European brands in offering more diesels, Ford Motor Co., Toyota and Hyundai have decided to stick with increasingly fuel-efficient gas engines and hybrids. All automakers are under pressure to squeeze more miles per gallon to meet federal fuel efficiency standards.
"There's no doubt the advancement in gasoline technology has improved and that has, in some respect, slowed down diesel options from OEMs," Tony Schultz, vice president of the Americas for technology supplier Honeywell International Inc.'s Turbo Technologies, said in a telephone interview.
And on a cost-basis, hybrids trump diesels, too. John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai, said the added cost to the consumer of hybridization is about $1,500, compared to $5,000 for diesel.
"When we ask if consumers are willing to pay that, they ask, 'What are you smoking?'" he said. "We all have great diesel engines available to us, but gasoline engines are growing."
Last year alone, U.S. sales of diesel vehicles rose 25 percent. But as a percentage of total industry sales, diesels made up only 2.7 percent of new-car purchases, said Edmunds.com. Hybrid vehicles — at about 3 percent of industry sales — outsold diesels in 2012.
Some analysts project growth will be much slower and limited to self-proclaimed diesel fans. And some automakers, like General Motors Co., have decided to take a methodical approach to diesel car introductions in the U.S. market.
Diesel's advantages ebb
Diesels for decades have been known for having better torque, or pulling power, than gas engines. But that advantage is dwindling.
Ford Motor Co.'s new 1-liter EcoBoost engine, a marriage of turbocharging, direct-injection and twin independent variable-camshaft timing, delivers 147 foot-pounds of torque. On a per-liter basis, the engine beats any other mass-produced car available in the U.S., and at a premium of about $1,000, compared to several thousand dollars for a diesel engine with comparable attributes.
Other gas engines will see torque improvements in coming years: GM's new 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 will have its torque boosted from 353 foot-pounds to 430 in the new Cadillac CTS sedan that's expected to hit showrooms later this year. And GM's turbocharged 1.4-liter is significantly more efficient than a comparable 2.2-liter from four years ago.
Diesels have also had an advantage in fuel efficiency, but that, too — at least by Environmental Protection Agency standards — is being challenged by gas engines.
Take for instance the new Chevrolet Cruze turbo diesel. GM says the car will get 42 highway miles per gallon — exactly the same fuel efficiency of the gasoline-powered Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which costs about $4,000 less than the diesel.
The diesel will likely get better real-world fuel efficiency, as most diesels do, but the upfront expense will extend greatly the time it takes to recover the cost. Depending on fuel costs, some consumers may never recover the cost.
Honeywell's Schultz admits that diesels, at least initially, are not the best value proposition.
"The math is not a great payback," he said. "But when you take into account the residual, there is some added value there."
Data from Kelley Blue Book show the residual value of diesel vehicles is about 4.6 percentage points higher than gas cars — partly because of higher base prices on diesels — and in all instances have higher resale values.
"In spite of the resale value and fuel economy advantages, consumers in the U.S. have been slow to accept this different form of powertrain and as a result, there are not a lot of diesel vehicles to choose from," said Eric Ibarra, KBB's director of residual values.
'Waning' in Europe
The Diesel Technology Forum says 23 diesel cars, SUVs and pickups are offered for sale in the U.S. It projects that number will grow to 54 by 2017.
Automotive forecaster ALG expects diesels to account for 5 percent of new-vehicle sales within three years, and auto supplier Robert Bosch predicts diesels will comprise 10 percent of the U.S. market by 2020.
Ford and GM sell plenty of diesel-powered cars in Europe. Diesels make up half of all new-car sales there. But even in Europe, their popularity there is "waning," Krafcik said. If U.S. market demand for diesels increases, Ford and GM could quickly make production adjustments to boost output.
Mark Fields, Ford's chief operating officer, touted Ford's manufacturing flexibility during a recent speech at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.
"If we see diesels start to take off here in the U.S., we can react very quickly," he said.
Some have said that by 2018, emissions standards in Europe and the United States will become close enough to allow for more economical diesel production.
But Jim Hall, analyst at 2953 Analytics, says even that won't significantly close the cost gap between diesel and gas.
"A diesel engine will always be more expensive than a gas engine built in similar quantities," Hall said in a telephone interview. "Higher volume doesn't make it less expensive to build than a gas engine."
khenkel@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2504
twitter.com/karlhenk
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz2PFfSwpT8
04-01-2013, 09:17 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
The new EcoTec3 engines are supposed to incorporate direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing. The fuel economy without a load should improve with the cylinder deactivation. I wonder what it will be pulling a load. I love the power of my 2012 6.2liter 1500 but the mileage with trailer is barely 12 mpg and 15 without and that is peddling it around 
.
.
04-02-2013, 06:22 AM
#5
Team Owner
Thread Starter
The new EcoTec3 engines are supposed to incorporate direct injection, cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing. The fuel economy without a load should improve with the cylinder deactivation. I wonder what it will be pulling a load. I love the power of my 2012 6.2liter 1500 but the mileage with trailer is barely 12 mpg and 15 without and that is peddling it around .
.