Base Chevy Silverado 1500 Work Truck Now Available with Duramax Diesel

      Chevrolet

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      While many consumers today prefer high-end, premium pickups, there are others who prioritize the essentials. A cloth bench seat instead of luxurious leather seats appeals to these buyers. These are the individuals who purchase the Chevy Silverado WT—along with fleet buyers. Finally, for the 2027 model year, they will be able to choose this work truck configuration with the powerful 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine.

      Previously, the Silverado WT was only equipped with the 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder and the 5.3-liter V8. The TurboMax remains the standard engine (now paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission instead of the older eight-speed), while the new generation 5.7-liter small-block replaces the V8. Although we don’t yet know the power specifications for the new 350 V8, I suspect it will be the highest horsepower option, while the diesel will likely provide the most torque with 495 lb-ft in its current tune.

      There is still much to learn about the 2027 Silverado 1500 as it recently made its debut, but we can make some educated predictions based on the prior model. The 3.0-liter Duramax enables 2026 model-year trucks to tow up to 13,300 pounds, delivering the characteristic smooth performance of a diesel inline-six. A V8 can achieve this as well, but it may not do so as comfortably. Furthermore, the diesel engine should have better fuel efficiency compared to a small-block and potentially even the TurboMax four-cylinder, which tends to consume more fuel when the turbo engages.

      The existing 3.0-liter Duramax diesel, known as LZ0, produces 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, and it offers an EPA-rated 25 mpg combined in 4×2 trucks. Kory Peterson

      I reached out to Chevrolet to ask if the Duramax option is restricted to specific cab, bed, and drivetrain combinations. A company spokesperson responded, “Additional details on specific configuration availability will be shared closer to launch.” The 3.0-liter diesel has historically only been available in crew cab models, and that may still be true. However, it would be interesting if Chevy decides to offer the diesel in a single cab configuration. That would be noteworthy.

      As we await further details, we can all appreciate a base model truck with steel wheels that uses the green handle at the fuel pump. The presence of more such trucks is a positive for the world.

      Have a tip or question for the author? Reach out directly at caleb@thedrive.com.