Silverado Diesel Half-Ton Promises More Power Than Ever

It has been a most unusual year for the diesel pickup market. Demand for diesel powered trucks remains high, but chip shortages have produced hiccups in fulfilling demand. This was followed by other shortages and news of a halt on production for Duramax-powered GM trucks.

Nevertheless, despite these temporary distractions, there's light at the end of the tunnel and plenty of buzz-producing stories circulating right now. Just yesterday Motor1 published this story titled "2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD Could Get Diesel With Over 500 HP: Report."

As is well-known, Ford F-Series trucks have been the top selling pickup for years. Ram Trucks have had a fairly secure hold on second place based on both reputation and performance. Chevy, however, has not been sitting idle and with the "reveal" of their 2022 Silverado last week showed that they are making an intentional move to displace the Ram to move up the ladder in the half-ton truck hierarchy.

Last week Chevy unveiled its 2022 Silverado, and this week has revealed its plans for the 2023 season. That's what yesterday's report at Motor1 was about.

The article begins by Chris Bruce begins by noting that the largest pickups in the family are still under wraps. GM's spotlight is on the half-ton, calling the Silverado ZR2 "the new flagship off-roader in this model's lineup." The focus is not on styling here. Leadership in the realm of horsepower and torque is the target for Silverados of the future.

Bruce begins with details about how comfortable the truck is before giving us a look under the hood. Here you will find a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine that has a lot of gumption, producing 420 hp and 460 lb-feet of torque. This is hooked up to a 10-speed automatic transmission with extra features to assist in maximizing traction. It also has a "Terrain" driving mode for crawling.

The writer details aspects of the "new look" on this machine as well as tech upgrades and interior improvements, including a fully customizable instrument display. There are gizmos galore. The Safety Assist Suite has collision alerts, lane keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, and other technically advanced safety features. We've come a long ways since Ralph Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed over 55 years ago.

It's the powertrain upgrades that most interest us here. There are actually four engines available for the 2022 Silverado. They are the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder, 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8, and 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel. Describing their capabilities, Bruce writes, "The turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder now makes 310 hp (231 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm), rather than 310 hp and 348 lb-ft (472 Nm) for the current version. This lets rear-drive versions of the truck now tow up to 9,600 pounds."

And then there is this surprise: a Silverado with a rear-drive 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel that can purportedly tow as much as 13,300 pounds. Over six-and-a-half tons. That's a 28 percent increase in towing capacity, achieved in part by a strengthened chassis, improved cooling and 3.73 drive ratio (as opposed to the standard 3.23 ratio.)

The article goes into greater detail than we're providing here, and there are plenty of photos to whet your appetite for more.

See the full story here at Motor1.

Champion Extends Contingency Program for Diesel Drag Racers Who Win with Blue Flame Peformance Engine Oil

Photo courtesy Diesel Motorsports

At the end of 2020 we shared information about Champion Oil's Diesel Racing Contingency Program for 2021. The aim of this program was to link Champion Blue Flame Performance Diesel Racing Engine Oils directly with diesel drag racers in all classes and in most sanctioned diesel drag-racing events in North America.

Winners from local diesel drag events to national championship diesel drag racing events are eligible for cash contingency payouts. Examples of diesel drag races to be rewarded include: The Outlaw Diesel Super Series, National Association of Diesel Motorsports, Ultimate Callout Challenge,  Scheid Diesel Extravaganza, Sun Coast Shakedown, Rudy's Truck Jam, Ultimate Callout Challenge, Outlaw Diesel Revenge,  Holly Rock Customs Showdown, Rocky Top Diesel Shootout, Hardway Sunshine Showdown, Battle at the Alamo, East Coast Diesel Nationals, Diesel World Drags, Blackout in the Country, Week-End on the Edge, etc.

 
Diesel Drag Racers Rewarded for Wins with Champion Blue Flame Performance Engine Oil   

Diesel racers can apply for the Champion Diesel Racing Oil Contingency Program by clicking on the orange button in the right hand column or click here.  

 

Photo courtesy NADM (Diesel Motorsports)

Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids.

In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver everything tacers come to expects in a premium diesel oil: unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up.

 

Blue Flame performance oils keep diesel engines going longer by reducing soot-induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horse power and torque. Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are purpose-built for extreme protection and performance.

https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

About Champion Brands, LLC
Champion, a PLZ Aeroscience Company, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion also produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information call Champion at 660-890-6231 Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO visit championbrands.com

About PLZ Aeroscience
PLZ Aeroscience is a leader in specialty aerosol and liquid product technologies. PLZ specializes in the development, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of a comprehensive line of contract fill, branded and private label products. PLZ has a robust and proprietary portfolio of products in household cleaning, personal care, food service, maintenance, specialty and industrial, and automotive. For more information, visit PLZAeroscience.com

About Pritzker Private Capital
Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products, services, and healthcare sectors. The firm’s differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com.

2021 Silverado: Diesel Duramax Is The Only Engine You Should Get

Silverado: It's what's under the hood that counts.

Last week GM announced that it would not be producing any more Duramax diesel engines for the rest of 2021. A lot of folks were bummed, both the workers and execs at GM and everyone whose hearts have been captured by the the most recent Duramax iterations.

The good news is that 2022 isn't really that far away, and September is the season when we begin to see next year's cars and trucks being unveiled. Even so, we have automotive journalists continuing to write about the vehicles we love, even if we can't own them yet because of parts shortages.

Along these lines Business2Community.com published a story by Nigel Atkinson about the 2021 Chev Silverado 1500 and its Z71 Duramax diesel engine. Atkinson gushes over this engine like a schoolboy worshipping his first love.

The first paragraph notes that the Silverado's competitors --  Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 -- had interior features that make the Silverado feel "cheap." Nevertheless, when it comes to trucks, it's what's under the hood that counts. And for Atkinson, the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 4WD is "the only option you should ever choose." Its 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque in conjunction with a smooth 10-speed transmission... who could ask for anything more?

What does a high-tech diesel engine look like today? The Duramax has an aluminum block and cylinder head, twin overhead camshafts, and four valves per cylinder. "I uses a variable-geometry turbo which can adjust the boost pressure based on load, as well as an electronically controlled variable-flow intake manifold. These various features work together to maximize and maintain peak performance, especiall with regards to torque.  

Even though the 6.2-liter V8 delivers the same torque numbers, the Duramax produces power more efficiently, resulting in significant fuel savings. Atkinson said that in the course of a week he averaged nearly 22 mpg, much betterthan the 13.2 mpg in a Trail Boss with the 6.2-liter V8. The greener footprint (i.e., less CO2) is also noteworthy. That benefit alone should turn some heads.

On pavement the Silverado handles just fine and due to noise-cancelling features it doesn't rattle like the old diesels. The truck had trouble with certain kinds of road undulations, though for the most part it handled fine. This shortcoming was not due to the engine but rather to the suspension. When pulling out into traffic it good to know you have some oomph. The truck does 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds.

Off road the Z71 package is very capable. Skid Plates, Twin Tube Shocks, Hill Descent Control, a 2-speed Transfer Case, Heavy Duty Air Filter and All Terrain Tires are part of this package.

Atkinson and team took to the trails in the Laguna Mountains, east of San Diego and just north of the border, so close that the Border Patrol is active in these parts. With humps and ruts, it's an ideal terrain for testing ground clearance and handling. 

After tackling Thing Valley Road, they went up to the twistier Sheep Mountain Road. The suspension did its job, as did the 4WD traction while climbing uphill. The low 4WD gear coming downhill worked great. 

As noted earlier, the interior was nothing fancy. It's not a luxury truck. The designers evidently focused on being functional. 

After detailing all the bells and whistles (and other options) Atkinson wrote that if it weren't for that turbo-diesel option, he would not recommend the Silverado. After putting it to the test for a week, he's changed his tune. "The motor," he states, "is absolutely brilliant."

Kudos to Chevy for what they have achieved with this engine and transmission. And even though it costs a little more, it's worth it. Or as Atkinson says, "It is money well spent." 

Here's a link to the full article, with photos.
https://www.business2community.com/automotive/2021-chevrolet-silverado-1500-z71-duramax-review-the-diesel-is-the-only-engine-you-should-get-02429584

Extravagant Diesel-Powered RV Shows What Money Can Buy

This Performance S has a BMW tucked in its garage.

During the Roaring Twenties of the last century F. Scott Fitzgerald purportedly said to his writer friend Ernest Hemingway, “The rich are different from you and me," to which Hemingway quipped, "Yes, they have more money." The verbal exchange my be more fiction than fact, but it's certainly true that some folks do have a bit more to spend than others, especially when it comes to luxuries.

A Slash/Gear article by Alvin Reyes shines a spotlight on what is no doubt the world's most luxurious recreational vehicle, the Volkner Mobil Performance S. It certainly garnered attention when the German motorhome manufacturer rolled it out at the 2021 Caravan Salon Dusseldorf recently.

The multi-million dollar motorhome has more features and options than you can imagine. To star with, there is a hydraulic-controlled under-vehicle garage between the front and rear axles. The Performance S motorhome unveiled at Dusseldorf had a Bugatti Chiron in its belly. 

This view shows solar panels on the roof
and a Mini tucked underneath.

In addition to being the most luxurious, it's also among the most expensive. The base price without extras and absent your expensive supercar, is a mere $2.2 million. The fully loaded Performance S chimes in at $7.7 million. That would include the Bugatti.

It's the features that make this ride such a spectacle on wheels. Let's start with the $355,000 Burmester audio system. (This will make your Bose surround sound seem primitive.)

The master bedroom comes with a roomy shower and stylish upholstery, though you can also customize everything to the Nth degree if you like. There's probably no limit to what you can do there.

Then there's the full kitchen, with all the appliances you've come to expect in a modern kitchen. Again, if you want additional amenities, Volkner Mobil will be happy to oblige. A wine cabinet? Sure, no problem. 

To move your mobile home and garage down the road you'll need a power plant suited for the job. Even in this you have options, Reyes says. You can choose the 454-horsepower Volvo diesel engine or the Mercedes-Benz diesel that generates 424 horses. The automatic transmission keeps things less complicated. 

The Performance S has a 700 to 1,000-liter freshwater tank, which is one more reason you need all that diesel power. Numerous other features get cited as well, though at this level of sophistication you probably just expect these kinds of things like air suspension and all the automated safety warnings.

Not every wealthy person with bags of money is interested in space travel like Elon, Jeff and Sir Richard. As for impressing your peers, The Volkner Mobil Performance S does seem like on way to do the trick. What do you think?

Here's a link to the full story along with some sizzling photos and video.

B100 Biodiesel Demonstration Put Class 8 Over-The-Road Diesel Transport Trucks to the Test

One of the five trucks used in last year's B100 pilot program created a lot of buzz when it went on display at the 2021 Farm Progress Show August 31 to September 2. The pilot program had been conducted by the interesting cohort of partners including ADM, the Illinois Soybean Associations, Optimus Technologies, American Lung Association, National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the Missouri Soybean Council. The objective was to demonstrate the feasibility of a new system that enables conventional diesel vehicles to operate on 100% biodiesel (B100). The five ADM Class 8 trucks, equipped with Optimus Technologies' Vector System, were used in daily fleet operations, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles on B100, even in the coldest temperatures of a central Illinois and Missouri winter.

In an August press release before the show, NBB technical director Scott Fenwick said, “We’re all looking for ways to enhance the sustainability of our transportation system, and last year’s pilot program was an important step in proving the viability of significantly wider use of low-carbon biodiesel in truck fleets. We’re collecting and analyzing the data from the past year and look forward to discussing the details soon."

The initial finding indicate that all went well in the B100 demonstration. The record lows that wreaked havoc across parts of the South this winter provided a good test for the five trucks, which came through with flying colors. "We’re excited by the opportunity," Fenwick said, "and proud to display one of the trucks used in this pilot at the 2021 Farm Progress Show.”

The cab was displayed outside ADM's exhibit at the corner of Seventh Progress Street and Central Progress Avenue.

According to the government's Alternative Fuels Data Center, biodiesel is a liquid fuel often referred to as B100 or neat biodiesel in its pure, unblended form. Like petroleum diesel, biodiesel is used to fuel compression-ignition engines. Biodiesel performance in cold weather, however, depends on the blend of biodiesel, the feedstock, and the petroleum diesel characteristics.

The reasons B100 is getting attention are because it is readily available, and it offers a high-performance solution for lowering carbon and tailpipe emissions from diesel vehicles. 

A study by Trinity Consultants showed how biodiesel burns significantly cleaner and reduces carbon emissions by 74 percent compared to petroleum diesel fuel. This was only the latest of numerous studies over the decades. The TC study found that "a switch to B100 would result in a variety of health benefits, including a 45 percent reduction in cancer risk amongst the transportation sector and an 86 percent reduced cancer risk in the heating oil sector in communities where B100 was used in place of petroleum diesel fuel and heating oil respectively."

Though this particular pilot program centered on B100 fuel throughout the winter, biodiesel specialist with the Illinois Soybean Association affirmed that B20 biodiesel has be used successfully year-round by following best practices for any fueling operation. This includes removing excess moisture from storage tanks and properly blending fuels with cold flow additives in advance of cold weather. 

The bottom line, and why this was such a big deal, is that the program proved the viability of implementing low-carbon, renewable biodiesel as a high-performance and clean-burning alternative that is known to offer superior cetane and lubricity when compared to petroleum diesel fuel.

You can find the full story here.

RELATED LINK: https://www.nbb.org/news-resources/press-releases/2021/08/30/truck-used-in-revolutionary-b100-pilot-to-be-showcased-at-2021-farm-progress-show

8 Diesel Power Innovations for Safe, Clean Trucking

Sometimes you have to toot your own horn to draw attention to your achievements. Why? Because there is so much other noise, and when the cause is worthy you want to draw attention to it, to be heard over the noise of the herd.

This seems to be one of the roles of the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF). They don't toot their own horn, but instead make known the achievements of others who are working to advance clean diesel technology. These achievements seldom get the attention they deserve, hence the DTF keeps beating the drum.

On August 27 they published a story about seven examples of innovation involving diesel engine technology. Diesel advances are being demonstrated that will serve our nation for decades into the future. The article is titled Trucking Into the Future with 7 Innovations in Diesel Power but it actually lists eight areas where improvements are taking place. We'll elaborate on these below.

Whereas electrification and hydrogen are currently being ballyhooed as the future of transport power, improvements in diesel have been taking place and will remain with us going forward. These improvements are both in the engine itself and the fuels of the future.

For years the Department of Energy has been partnering with the trucking industry to move the industry forward. The partnership produced a SuperTruck Program with teams of engineers from engine and truck manufacturers to improve emissions and energy efficiency, the same drivers that were initiated a half century ago. Today the program is in a new phase called SuperTruck II.

The three targets for SuperTruck II are:
--Greater than 100 percent improvement in freight efficiency (relative to a 2009 baseline.)
--Demonstrate a 55 percent or better engine BTE at 65 mph.
--Development of cost-effective efficiency technologies.

Here's one example of what the Cummins SuperTruck II team achieved. Brake thermal efficiency is used to assess how well an engine converts heat from a fuel into mechanical energy. Cummins realized a never before gain of 55 percent brake themal efficiency in a heavy duty diesel engine. SuperTruck II improved CO2 emissions by 50 percent and doubled efficiency.

Here are seven examples of innovation highlighted in the DTF article.

1. Combustion Efficiency: To be achieved by means of new metal components, cylinder and piston designs, bearings, rings, valves, camshafts and more including specialized coatings. (See yesterday's story that mentions Nanoslide cylinder walls.)

2. Engine Management: By controlling combustion events, engines can be optimized in accordance with driving and weather conditions. Some of the innovations here include dynamic skip fire and cylinder deactivation. Recent announcements tout modest reduction of CO2 emissions here.

3. Future Engine Configuration: Most engines today are inline V configurations. Achates Power is testing an opposed piston (OP) engine that some are calling a game changer. OP engines improve efficiency will simultaneously reducing NOx. California likes what is happening with the OP engine that it is helping fund this research which aims to reduce NOx by 90 percent.

4. Electrifying Engine Components: This is another means by which greater efficiencies are achieved. This move may lead to great hybridization in some truck segments.

5. Optimized and Integrated Powertrain: Improvements in the way engines and transmissions work together can also deliver greater fuel savings and reduce emissions.

6. Emission Control System Optimization: Selective Catalytic Reduction systems (SCR) and particulate filters continue to become more efficient.

7. Fuel Revolution: Experiments with biobased fuels have been taking place for decades. Biobased diesel fuels deliver proven reductions in emissions compared to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel.

8. Synthetic E-fuels: Because a majority of internal combustion vehicles will be around for years to come (even decades), efforts are being made to improve their performance by means of fuels. E-fuels are created using clean electricity and purportedly have the potential to produce climate-neutral outcomes for the majority of vehicles. 

The bottom line: Diesel engines are "poised to continue to deliver the goods and the benefits in the decades ahead."

Read the complete story here:
https://dieselforum.org/policyinsider/trucking-into-the-future-with-7-innovations-in-diesel-power

Photo Credit:  Photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan on Unsplash  

2022 Diesel Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Is More Than the Sum of Its Parts

Autoblog.com has been a reliable "go-to" source for stories this past year. With editorial offices on Woodward Avenue, they are well positioned to report on the auto industry--past, present and future. 

When I saw this story on a 2022 diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, I misread the source as Autoblog.com, when in fact it is AutomoBlog.net. They describe themselves this way: This is us talking shop and talking cars. Sometimes we go in-depth and analyze something, or we talk about car history or motorsports, or maybe we’re just giving our thoughts on something in the automotive industry.

This week, Alvin Reyes of the AutomoBlog shared his thoughts on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which he says is as cool as any supercar. What makes this comparison a bit odd is that the Sprinter seems not much more spectacular than the cargo van it looks like. Reyes disagrees, stating "We love them to bits. Just as much as we do muscle and performance cars!"

With that intro, he sets out to win us over.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been rambling about America's highways for two decades now. It's a cargo van akin to the Ram ProMaster or Ford Transit. These are the vehicles that serve as the backbone to a growing economy. They don't sit idle.

The Sprinter is more expensive than its peers, but it's also the most refined. Not only muscular, but comfortable, with plenty to like. What we like is the OM 654 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel power plant with a cast aluminum block and Nanoslide cylinder walls. 

The news here is not the engine per se, but that the Sprinter is now available in All-Wheel Drive here in the U.S. (Formerly it was a rear-wheel drive truck.)

There are a number of engine options, though. The article states that there will be four versions: 114, 150, 170 and 190 horsepower. Evidently Mercedes-Benz hasn't been specific on the details. Writes Reyes, "If Mercedes decides to bring in the 190-horsepower version of its 2.0-liter diesel engine, it will have more power than the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 from the outgoing Sprinter 3500 and 4500."

Regarding the Nanoslide cylinder walls, Mercedes-Benz introduced the technology a decade ago. As the name implies, it's a way to produce a microscopically smooth finish that reduces internal friction. The technology is quite astonishing, actually. Imagine a four-cylinder engine producing 416 horsepower. Here's an article about the engineering involved to accomplish that. 

The AWD technology is pretty cool on the Sprinter. The old version of AWD sent 35% of the engine's torque to the front and 65% to the rear. The 2022 Sprinter has a "torque-on-demand" AWD system, which is to say that the torque distribution is fully variable due to an electronic multi-plate clutch.

For daily driving the vehicle is rear-wheel drive, but when the sensors detect wheels spinning, the transfer case adjusts power distribution without the driver having to even notice. For what it's worth, the new AWD system is quieter than before as well.

Another new feature is a high tech sensor-driven delivery door. When the driver steps into the back, sensors unlock and open the doors. When he steps out, with his or her arms full of packages, the doors close again. Is this the FedEx truck of the future?

Read the full story story here:

https://www.automoblog.net/2022-mercedes-benz-sprinter/