Pro Pickup

December 2013

Propickup Digital Magazine

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/211068

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FIRSTDRIVE By Bruce W. Smith GM's 1500 Series pickups get nextgen 6.2L V-8; new technology ups power and fuel economy B ack in our August issue we detailed the refinements and advancements GM engineers packaged into the ½-ton 2014 Chevy Silverado ("Silverado's Fresh Face") and GMC Sierra 1500s. Then, no one had yet to get seat time in the new trucks running the equally new EcoTec3 6.2L – the most powerful V-8 engines in the ½-ton class with an SAE-certified 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. We thought that type of muscle, combined with EPA-rated 21mpg (2WD) and 20mpg (4WD) highway mileage, should make the Ecotech every GM owner's engine of choice if all-out performance is the prime objective. We 26 PROPICKUP December 2013 were spot on. I spent the good part of a day driving the new trucks with the 5.3L and the 6.2L (a $,1995 option) engines. The roads were in the hill country of central Texas late in the summer, and the 4x4 Silverado LTZs driven were with and without 9,600-pound equipment trailers in tow. (GM had identical Bobcat skid steers on tandem-axle trailers for the demo.) The trucks were also equipped with the optional Max Trailering Package, which is available on 2WD and 4WD V-8 crew cab and double-cab models. The trailering package option (GT4) includes: With 420hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, the EcoTech 6.2L V-8 delivers classleading power with 20-plus mpg on the highway. differential springs increased control pin and four-pin connector controller IN TOWING, TORQUE RULES Although both engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timing, there's no comparison in performance – loaded or unloaded – between the 5.3L and the 6.2: torque rules. While the 5.3L struggles with

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