We are looking forward to the official debut of the updated 2017 Chevy Silverado HD at the 2016 State Fair of Texas. One critical piece of information we all want to know is the power output of the new 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 (codename L5P). Publicly accessible GM Powertrain website has published a PDF document that lists the output of the new engine. This website is generally used by dealerships and people in the know.
The listed numbers for the 2017 6.6L Duramax V8 are:
445 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 910 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm.
The rating has very interesting implications. If this is indeed the final output for GM’s big diesel, it will give the company the claim of a heavy duty pickup truck line with the most horsepower. Compare the Duramax rating against the 2017 Ford Super Duty with its 6.7L Power Stroke V8:
440 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 925 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm.
The 2017 Ram HD high output 6.7L Cummins I6 is rated at:
385 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 900 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm.
Notice that the Duramax peak torque of 910 lb-ft arrives at a low 1,600 rpm (just lower than the peak torque of the Power Stroke and the Cummins). The Duramax cannot claim the highest torque, but it does beat the Ford by 5 hp and the Ram by 10 lb-ft of torque. How will Ram respond to this? Will Ford counter with another power boost? We will have to wait to find out.
The GM document also states that the L5P Duramax 6.6L V8 will be available in all Silverado HD and Sierra HD cab configurations.
Here is the previous generation 6.6L Duramax V8 on the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing review.
