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Most of the headlines surrounding the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado unveiled today are about the spicy new ZR2 variant, and for good reason. The ZR2 not only looks cool, but has front and rear electronic lockers and Multimatic DSSV shocks. However, there’s something else that’s impressive and admittedly more relevant to pickup truck buyers that isn’t covered as much: the Silverado’s towing upgrades with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel.
For model year 2022, the maximum towing capacity of the Silverado 1500 diesel has been increased by almost 4,000 pounds for a total of 13,300. This is thanks to the Max Trailering Package, which previously could not be configured with the Duramax inline-six, apparently due to cooling issues and other structural limitations. As a result, the towing capacity was limited to 9,500 pounds.
Kevin Luchansky, GM’s assistant chief powertrain engineer, explained to The reader how the diesel-powered Silverado’s upgrades are threefold, focusing on the frame, suspension and a lower-ratio 3.73 rear axle. Engine cooling capacity has been improved, but overall the Duramax has been left largely untouched.
“There’s not much on the engine, which is great news – it’s mainly the frame,” Luchansky told us. “It’s the suspension, also the rear differential. It’s a bigger differential with a 3.73 rear and we’ve also improved the cooling capacity and some aspects of the powertrain cooling under the hood.”
The 5.3 and 6.2 liter gasoline engines were already offered with the maximum towing group and therefore don’t see huge improvements like the Duramax. Chevrolet says the 2.7-liter turbo-four delivers 20 percent more torque at the start of the rev range, so while overall capacity doesn’t increase, the experience should at least be better.
Also new for this year is the addition of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance system, which we recently experienced in the upcoming 2022 GMC Sierra at GM’s own testing grounds in the Michigan. Super Cruise for the Silverado will be offered with tow mode, meaning the system can be used when a trailer is connected to the truck, and it will be available as an option only on the high-end High Country trim.
“The towing performance on the 3.0L is exceptional,” said Luchansky. “We think this is a great choice for customers who tow a lot and want a ‘tweener’ truck in a way. It really puts the truck between a 1500 and a 2500 with maximum towing. [package]. “
As we reported last month, production of the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine is currently on hold due to suppliers facing parts shortages, but GM expects it to resume once these issues. resolved. With 2022 trucks not arriving at dealerships until the spring of next year, the automaker hopes the production pipeline won’t be affected by this.
While there’s a very long wait for the diesel-powered Silverado, our recent test of the 2021 Tahoe with Duramax diesel left a good enough impression on us to withstand any delay. The engine is smooth, quiet, efficient and refined. The addition of the upgraded maximum towing package just makes it much more desirable under the hood of any truck.
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