Manoli Katakis 
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel is itching to come to market, and pricing has now been made official. Interestingly, Chevy priced the 3.0L Duramax inline-six diesel exactly as the same premium it asks for the 6.2L L87 V8 gas engine. This allows 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 customers to decide based on their priorities without additional premiums. That means that the 3.0L Duramax commands a $2,495 premium over a Silverado with a 5.3L V8, or $3,890 over a Silverado with a 2.7L turbo-four.
To put it another way, the entry point for a 2020 Silverado 1500 Diesel is roughly $40,885. Like the L87, the 3.0L Duramax is available on 2020 Silverado 1500 LT, RST, LTZ and High Country models, and rounds out the new Silverado’s range of six engine choices.
However, a key data point is still missing: fuel economy numbers. A quick look on Fueleconomy.gov reveals that the only 2020 model year Chevrolet with official numbers is the ho-hum Malibu sedan, at the time of this writing. Other stats such as payload and tow ratings remain absent, as well.
The 3.0L Duramax LM2 diesel is rated at an SAE-certified 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque delivering 95 percent of peak torque at a meager 1,250 rpm, while peaking from 1,500 rpm through 3,000 rpm. Compared to the 6.2L L87, the torque numbers are the same, while the diesel is short 143 hp from the gas V8. That said, we expect the LM2 diesel to outperform the L87 in metrics pertaining to fuel economy, as well as towing. Both engines are paired to GM’s 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission.
For the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax to outclass its competition, the truck will have to deliver over 25 combined mpg in EPA testing, tow over 11,400 pounds and offer a maximum payload beyond 2,020 lbs. These are the ratings found in the Ford F-150 Power Stroke, but the Chevy already has a slight edge in horsepower and torque. Meanwhile, Ram is preparing a reboot for its 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel, and will also share the powertrain with the Jeep Gladiator.
General Motors recently announced a $24 million update to its Ford Wayne, Indiana assembly plant to increase Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra production.
