New Silverado gets 2.7-liter turbo four, updated V-8s

Milford — Chevrolet’s 2019 Silverado will offer six different engine and transmission combinations, including an all-new 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbo and two V-8 engines equipped with the bow-tie brand’s newest fuel-management technology that can deactivate all cylinders as needed.

Chevrolet debuted its dynamic fuel management system at General Motors Co.’s Milford Proving Ground on Thursday. The new system for the Silverado’s 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V-8 engines builds upon Chevy’s active fuel management system, which takes the V-8 to a V-4 depending on how much torque is needed, with the overall goal to improve fuel economy.

Dynamic fuel management takes that to a new level with the ability to deactivate all eight cylinders in 17 different firing fractions. It’s designed to further optimize fuel efficiency. The Silverado’s EPA mileage ratings are not yet available, so it’s not clear what the difference will be in fuel economy from active fuel management to dynamic fuel management.

The high-end LTZ trim comes standard with a dynamic fuel management-equipped 5.3-liter V-8, which produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. That engine is an option on the LT and RST trims. The LTZ can also be optioned with a dynamic fuel management-equipped 6.2-liter V-8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

The work to refine to dynamic fuel management required what Jordan Lee, Chevy’s chief engineer for small block engines, said was equivalent to building an all-new engine.

“The increased variability of dynamic fuel management means the engine will operate more often with a reduced number of cylinders, which saves fuel across the board,” Lee said in a statement. “Better yet, the transitions are transparent, and because the system is torque-based, you’ve always got that satisfying feeling of power on demand that comes from Chevy’s Gen V small block V-8 engines.”

Also new to the Silverado engine lineup is the 2.7-liter turbo four, which replaces the 4.3-liter V-6 as the standard engine on high-volume Silverado trims, which includes the LT, RST and LT Trail Boss.

The new turbo four puts out 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. It’s also lighter, saving 380 pounds compared to the 2018 Silverado’s standard V-6.

Designed as a truck engine, the 2.7-liter four-banger is equipped with active fuel management.

The 2019 Silverado debuted at the Detroit auto show earlier this year. Weighing 450 pounds lighter than its predecessor thanks to a mixed-material approach, it features the biggest box in the segment, which is equipped with a segment-first power tailgate. It arrives on dealers’ lots this fall.

NNaughton@detroitnews.com