Quote:
Originally Posted by KMPrenger
Wow...some interesting news to start off our Friday morning!
I'm not sure on whether to be excited or confused about the new big turbo 4.
Several questions running through my head...such as:
1) Why offer the 4.3 V6 AND the new 2.7 turbo? Yeah, I get it that there are diehards that will never want to choose a turbo 4 over a V6, but that seems like such a small reason to keep the V6 around (this coming from someone that doesn't want to see the V6 die). The 2.7 is apparently cheaper (being the base engine), more fuel efficient, and offers more power than the 4.3. Sooo....is it just not good for work? Is the 4.3 much more durable? I'd hope that is not the case.
2) Why is the six speed automatic still around? Wouldn't it reduce costs/complexity by just putting the 8 speed in the high value models?
3) Why does the first bullet point which mentions the 5.3 not say "updated", whereas the others do? Don't tell me they are going to offer two versions of the 5.3 also.
4) Looks like no bump in power IIRC...small bummer there but no big deal either.
Side note: Anyone think they might dump the V6 in the mid-size twins for the new 2.7? I think there's a chance. I'd be sad to see the V6 go, but again, unless its just not a good engine for towing at all, I don't see any reason as to why it wouldn't be a better engine. Of course I'd be MUCH more excited to see a small displacement Turbo V6 making say 330HP and 375TQ!
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I bet the V6 is cheaper than the turbo4.
The Silverado probably sells in high enough volume that the per-unit cost of added complexity is pretty small. Presumably smaller than the cost difference between the 6 and 8 speed autos
I doubt they'll put the 2.7 into the Colorado/Canyon this generation. Yes, its torquier but that seems like the only advantage it holds. Thats not nothing, but its not everything either. Its probably more expensive too, and there are already too many people balking at the price of the V6 midsizers. And I know GM doesn't really care much about this (their concern is CAFE scores), but I'd expect better real world fuel economy out of the V6 than the big turbo4.
On the other hand, I imagine its still part of the same 4 cylinder family as the current base engine (and not, say a member of a 'big block 4' group of engines) which would make it a great deal simpler to include in the lineup, unlike putting the 5.3L V8 in there.
You are modest in your dreams for a turbo V6; 330/375 out of a small (sub 3L?) engine is certainly doable. I'd put more money on a high performance 'big' turbo6, but I'm thinking that the house would be winning that bet with no T6 happening at all.