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2024 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Gets the Duramax Turbo-Diesel Engine

While many other light duty trucks are phasing out their diesel engines, The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado is add the Duramax Turbo-Diesel to the engine lineup. The entire truck was updated in recent years, this year there are just a few changes.

Chevrolet is giving off-roaders the opportunity to have a turbo-diesel out on the trails. Chevrolet has decided to equip its 2024 Silverado ZR2 with the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel. The news comes just weeks before Chevrolet announces what’s new for its 2024 Silverado HD lineup. The news is especially interesting because some of the Silverado competitors have removed the diesel from the light-duty lineup, instead reserving the diesels for the HD versions.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax Turbo-Diesel

According to Chevrolet, for 2024, Silverado ZR2 adds the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel, paired with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission. The truck is built for off-roading and the Duramax’s low-end torque of 495 lb.-ft. will give the ZR2 incredible power. Chevrolet says the ZR2 with the 3.0L Duramax is the only light-duty off-road truck to offer such a capable diesel engine in its class.

Silverado’s 2.7L High-Output Engine Gets a New Name

Chevrolet is rebranding its 2.7L High-Output engine as the new TurboMax. The engine is a four-cylinder with a turbo. It seems to perform well but interestingly, Chevrolet deliberately leaves the four-cylinder description out of most of its press materials.

“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, 2.7L Turbo Engine. “The TurboMax name encapsulates the modern engineering, manufacturing and controls which shuts the door on arguments against turbocharged engines from decades ago.”

TurboMax will be available across the Silverado lineup, from WT to LT Trail Boss to cover a variety of truck owners’ needs. With a best-in-class 430 lb.-ft. of torque and 310 horsepower, and available 9,500-pound Max Tow, this engine will power Silverado to tow, haul and hit the trails with the confidence customers expect. The name of 2.7L engine in the midsize Colorado pickup will also be switched to TurboMax. I imagine the same will be true for the GMC Sierra and the GMC Canyon.

New Active Dual Exhaust coming for the 6.2L V-8 Engine

New for 2024, Silverado pickups equipped with the 6.2L V-8 will get an Active Dual Exhaust. The new exhaust should beef up the sound of the V-8. Engineers worked to devise a throatier exhaust for when owners want it while changing drive modes: Normal, Tow/Haul and Sport.

New Silverado Appearance Package

This update should be interesting to see. Chevy is adding a Black Appearance Package. The new blacked out version will be available on the Silverado Custom, Custom Trail Boss, RST, LT Trail Boss and ZR2, and newly available Silverado High Country Midnight Edition. Chevy isn’t sharing pictures of the Black Appearance Package, but it should be sharp.

Chevrolet Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.