GM 6.2L EcoTec V8 rated at 21 mpg by the EPA

Wed, 02 Oct 2013

General Motors is already laying claim to best-in-class power for its new 6.2-liter V8 that will be offered in the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra this fall, and now it has released fuel economy numbers for the big engine. Available as an option on the Silverado LTZ and High Country (shown above) models as well as the the Sierra SLT and Denali trims, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 will return 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 mpg on the highway on rear-wheel-drive trucks; these numbers drop by one mpg each on four-wheel-drive models.

These estimates are in addition to the engine's 420 horsepower, 460 pound-feet of torque and max trailering capacity of 12,000 pounds, and considering all that power it's not terribly far away from the fuel economy of GM's equally new 4.3-liter V6 and its rating of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. This announcement comes just days after a report indicated that GM is unable to keep up with the demand of the 5.3-liter V8 in the fullsize Chevy and GMC trucks due to supplier issues. GM's official press release for the 6.2-liter V8's fuel economy is posted below.

It's Official: 2014 Silverado and Sierra Deliver Most Power

New Chevrolet, GMC light duty pickups also deliver best towing capacity in class and strong fuel economy

DETROIT – The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and High Country and the GMC Sierra and Sierra Denali 1500, available this fall, with a 6.2L V-8 produces an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (at 5600 rpm) and 460 lb-ft of torque (at 4100 rpm), the most power of any pickup engine and torque of any light duty pickup truck engine.

The 6.2L V-8 available for Silverado LTZ and High Country and Sierra SLT and Denali models also delivers class-leading maximum available trailering capacity of 12,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Along with power, now comes strong fuel economy as EPA estimates for the 6.2L V-8 EcoTec3 engine technology enable 2WD Sierra and Silverado models to achieve 15 mpg city and 14 mpg city for 4WD. EPA highway estimates are 21 mpg for 2WD versions, and 20 mpg for 4WD models.

"Power and towing capacity are fundamental capabilities for full-size pickups," said Jeff Luke, General Motors Executive Chief Engineer for full- and mid-size trucks. "The 2014 Silverado and Sierra deliver unmatched power and towing capability with a host of ingenious driver aids."

The optional Max Trailering Package is available on 2WD and 4WD V-8 crew cab and double cab models and includes:

-Trailering package with seven-pin and four-pin connector

-Enhanced cooling
-Automatic locking rear differential
-Heavy-duty 9.75-inch rear axle with 3.73 ratio
-Increased-capacity rear leaf springs
-Revised shock tuning for increased control
-Integrated trailer brake controller.

In addition to the 6.2L V8, Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 will offer a 4.3L V-6 SAE-certified at 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque and a 5.3L V-8 certified at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque.

Silverado and Sierra trucks equipped with the 4.3L V-6 will have available towing ratings of up to 7,600 pounds, the highest for any base V-6 in the segment. Silverado and Sierra trucks equipped with the 5.3L V-8 and the max towing package, available later this year, will have towing ratings of up to 11,500 pounds when properly equipped.

All three engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuously variable valve timing, a combination not found in competitor vehicles. The engines also use a compact overhead-valve design and weight-saving components such as aluminum blocks and cylinder heads to reduce mass for additional energy savings.

All three provide the proven power, torque and dependability of a large-displacement engine, seamlessly switching to four-cylinder mode to save fuel during light-load driving. The 5.3L V-8 has EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 23 mpg highway (2WD models), the best of any V-8 pickup, and better than Ford EcoBoost V-6.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About GMC
GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucksand crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. The 2014 Sierra half-ton pickup boasts all-new powertrains and design, and the Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks ever built by GMC. Every retail GMC model, including Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs, is now available in Denali luxury trim. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

By Jeffrey N. Ross