2024 Chevrolet Silverado adds 3.0-liter Duramax to ZR2

Chevrolet will add number of updates to the 2024 Silverado, most noticeably the option of the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel for the off-road ZR2 trim. Other new additions include an active exhaust on 6.2-liter Silverados that will offer more V-8 soundtrack in Sport mode, standard adaptive cruise control on High Country, and a Blackout Appearance Package available on LT Trail Boss, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, RST, and ZR2 trims. OnStar, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are also now standard on the WT.

Finally, the 2.7-liter high-output turbo-four will now be called TurboMax.

“TurboMax is built like a diesel: it’s durable and packs turbocharged performance to win over both diesel and V-8 customers alike,” said Kevin Luchansky, assistant chief engineer on the Silverado’s four-cylinder engine. “The TurboMax name encapsulates the modern engineering, manufacturing and controls which shuts the door on arguments against turbocharged engines from decades ago.” That TurboMax name will eventually be used in the Colorado, as the 2024 mid-sizer will be powered exclusively by the turbo-four. It’s unclear if the nomenclature will be used on the Cadillac CT4-V, which uses a version of the engine, but that outcome seems unlikely.

Adding the 3.0-liter Duramax (one of our favorite light-duty truck engines) to the already great Silverado ZR2 should make it a terrific platform for adventurers and overlanders. We noted in our initial drive of the ZR2 that the engine could help create a unique truck offering because, as much as the ZR2 excels at high-speed running through the desert, it’s equally capable of scrambling up trails and over rocks. The immediate torque of the Duramax inline-six will be a blessing to those that want to put the ZR2’s lockers to good use. Also, the 3.0-liter has been boosted to produce 305hp and 495-lb-ft of torque for the 2024 model year, up from its previous 277hp and 460 lb-ft output.

Chevrolet hasn’t announced fuel economy or range details just yet. We wouldn’t be surprised if the diesel Silverado ZR2 gets an EPA rating of 20 mpg combined, compared with the 15 mpg combined using the 6.2-liter under the hood.

As for the active exhaust on the 6.2, we’re stoked that this truck promises to showcase an even more proper-sounding V-8. If we’re lucky, Silverado engineers were inspired by the Escalade-V’s bombastic, fantastic exhaust note; that thing sounds amazing.

With this update, we especially like that even the work-focused WT model is getting some attention. And, for now, we’ll have to wait to see how these changes for 2024 will apply to the more luxurious GMC Sierra.

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