Ford already has twin-turbo V6 engines in its trucks and Stellantis recently unveiled a new turbo I6
This type of engine could be as powerful as a V8 while being more fuel-efficient
This engine would be similar to the 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder that is currently offered in the trucks.
According to the GM Authority website, General Motors could be working on a new twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine to use in its full-size pickup trucks and SUVs.
In the search for better fuel economy and increased capabilities, truck makers are starting to replace their older V8 engines with smaller displacement, turbocharged units.
Ford was one of the first to use this strategy with its EcoBoost V6 engines close to ten years ago and Stellantis has now followed the same path with its Hurricane inline-six-cylinder engine.
In General Motors’ case, the proposed engine could be based on the turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder engine, the standard powertrain in the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra.
Another option could be to use the same basis as the 3.0L Duramax inline-six diesel that is currently offered in these vehicles. This is possible since this engine, as well as the 2.7L, are part of the automaker’s modular engine family, which can be scaled up or down to create different powertrains at moderate costs.
The arrival of a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine in the two pickups, as well as the GMC Yukon and the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban pair, could signal the end for the V8 engines in the company’s large trucks, since even the four-cylinder has almost as much torque as the largest V8 currently offered, with 420 ft-lb versus 460 ft-lb for the 6.2L.
If this happens, GM would not be the first truck maker to abandon V8 engines since the new Toyota Tundra is powered exclusively by turbocharged V6 powertrains.
The automaker is apparently not decided and is still considering modernizing its current V8 engines, but the current trend seems to be going towards smaller, more technological engines.
Source: GM Authority
