One of America’s most popular turbodiesel engines, the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six that powers GM’s full-size SUVs, has just made its final exit from the auto industry. GM discontinued it last week. August 8 was the last day customers could order a Duramax-powered SUV. The pickup trucks will still get it through the fall.
The 3.0-liter inline-six LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine, the so-called “Baby Duramax,” is in General Motors’ 2024 Off-road vehicle lineup until now. It was the king of generous torque, impressive fuel economy and towing ratings when it came to full-size models.
All full-size SUVs bearing the GM logo are based on the T1 platform and roll off the assembly line at GM’s plant in Arlington, Texas. Production of the Michigan-made engine will cease in September. The last models to receive it will be GM pickups such as the Chevrolet Silverado or the GMC Sierra.
However, GM had to part with it. New emissions regulations are becoming increasingly strict and complying with these regulations would be more expensive than developing new engines. That is precisely why August 8 was the last day that customers could order a GM SUV with a Duramax engine.
This means that the 3.0-liter LM2 turbodiesel engine will no longer be offered in the 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, 2024 GMC Yukon and 2024 Cadillac Escalade model lines starting August 9.
Photo: General Motors
The Duramax produces 277 horsepower (281 metric hp) and 460 pound-feet (624 Newton-meters) of torque in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations. LM2-powered vehicles can tow up to 9,300 pounds (4,218 kilograms), with a maximum payload of 1,870 pounds (848 kilograms).
General Motors introduced the 3.0-liter engine in the full-size SUV lineup in 2021, pairing it with a ten-speed automatic transmission.
The 2025 Suburban and Tahoe will be available with the new LZ0 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine, which is more fuel efficient and more powerful than the LM2, producing 305 horsepower (309 PS) and 495 pound-feet (671 Newton-meters) of torque. The 5.3-liter L84 gasoline V8 and 6.2-liter L87 V8 will remain in the lineup.
Photo: General Motors
The updated 2025 Cadillac Escalade, which was introduced a month ago, has now completely dispensed with diesel engines. As GM Authority reports, demand for the diesel-powered Escalade was around 5 percent.
As a result, prospective owners will have only two versions to choose from, with the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine. The lineup begins with the V8, which produces 420 horsepower (420 metric hp) and 460 pound-feet (624 Newton meters) of torque.
The top-of-the-line Escalade’s supercharged V8 has 682 horsepower (691 metric hp) and 653 pound-feet (885 Newton-meters). The ten-speed automatic transmission helps the V8 send power to all four wheels.
