GM announces the ultimate tow vehicle!

I want one!

GMC Sierra Denali HD 2500 Duramax 6.6L V8
390HP / 735 lb-ft torque
20,000 lbs. tow capacit

"Not even a month ago, at the end of our post on the 2011 Ford Super Duty engine specs, we wrote: "General Motors, there's a big ass ball in your court." Someone at GM has apparently grabbed their big ass racket and said, "Oh, I got this...", then smacked the ball right back into play. The Ford's measurements 390 horsepower, 735 pound-feet of grunt. The General has just announced that its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel has 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft. of torque, a jump of 32 horsepower and 105 lb-ft. over the previous Duramax."

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/10/g...eas/#continued

I wish they would come out with a smaller diesel for the SUV's.

Beasty truck. But, and I'm just gossiping here, isnt GM having some trouble with sales...possibly related to the poor gas mileage from their vehicles...ah whatever, that truck looks sick. Lets tow two X-Stars, or maybe a couple Epics with the ballast full. Just because you can.

Originally Posted by srock

I wish they would come out with a smaller diesel for the SUV's.

Definitely with you. I wish there was a diesel option for the Tahoe. A duramax is cool but for families like mine living where parking is a b*$%h, it does not make sense to have a big diesel truck.

They actually have a 4.5 litre diesel based on the duramax that they have completely tested and is ready to go. There are some implementing factors that are causing them to not install them in 1/2 tons and subs (not sure if the tahoe is supposed to get it)

It puts out like 520 lb ft of torque and over 300 horsepower. Plenty for me.

This new truck is cool, but come on people. NOBODY needs to tow 20000 lbs... - at least not the average family guy with a diesel truck.

Why they are dragging their heels on the smaller diesel I can't understand.

Originally Posted by lifetimewarranty

Why they are dragging their heels on the smaller diesel I can't understand.

In the US..... haven't they been selling smaller diesels overseas for some time? Makes no sense to me either. And the fact that diesel is more expensive than gas is just stupid.

Originally Posted by bill_airjunky

In the US..... haven't they been selling smaller diesels overseas for some time? Makes no sense to me either. And the fact that diesel is more expensive than gas is just stupid.

Correct, they have been selling quite a few overseas in the last few years. Ford has had a light duty powerstroke out for a while now in Europe. All I really have to say is that if they wanted them over here, they would be readily available. The word diesel around many people, and to most average consumers, brings up the image in their minds of the older, black smoke spewing, noisy motors. I think that opinion has started to change in the last couple of years, but IMO its still probably a good ways off before we see a diesel option in an expedition or tahoe or 1/2 ton truck

If you have a toy hauler, you need a truck like this.

Yes, sales are down for GM because nobody wants to buy a truck from the government. GM=government motors. Buy Ford.

I hope that Fords 6.0 problem do not happen with this new motor. had some bad luck with them. i think that i will keep my 7.3

Originally Posted by tuneman

If you have a toy hauler, you need a truck like this.

As much as I would agree that you can't have too much power, I would have to disagree with that. We regularly max out (and then some) our 8.1 liter 3/4 ton sub with a hauler behind it (probably 12-14k lbs) and it never has a problem. We run the grapevine without any trouble.

My thought is the average guy probably never tows more than that, and if the 8.1 gasser can handle it, a smaller diesel than these(huge diesels) could easily do the job. I believe that the torque is 500 on the 8.1. I believe that the 4.5liter duramax would pull nicer, given it is a diesel, but also give you even better fuel economy.

As far as the pic of the doubles...awesome. Nothing like bringing the house to the lake with you! I'm just glad that my lake is 5 minutes from my house...

Diesel is cheaper than regular in the Canyon Lake area.

My '08 Duramax gets better mileage than the '05 5.3 Z71 Suburban did.

The Duramax out tows the Suburban big time.

My toyhauler would push the Suburban around through the corners (highway 79/78), truck has no such issues.

If this were posted in a toyhauler forum no one would be talking about small diesels in SUV's.

We use ours. I will never go back to gas for towing.

I personally think that a diesel tahoe or suburban would be perfect. currently towing with a 3.0L turbo diesel jeep grand cherokee and it gets the job done for sure. towing capacity is 7400lbs and thats plenty to tow a decent size wake boat but really a 1500 or 2500 size chevy SUV would be a lot more pleasing to drive with a trailer. BMW and Mercades also make smaller diesel SUV's as well.

I forgot to mention the jeep gets 20mpg city and 25 highway without a trailer still draging the boat around just fine. diesel is where its at.

any idea when these will be available? looking for a new truck.

also, whats the difference between a denali and non denali? looks like you could get the same engine/drive train a'11 2500hd non denali.

Dizzy, I was wondering the same thing. The engine is just the newest version of the Duramax. All the options are available on the SLT version that I see available for the Denali. I too am curious as to whether anything is exclusive to the Denali version.