WHEATON, ILL.—Diesels in light-duty vehicles remain a niche segment in the U.S., but General Motors thinks that enough buyers of its midsize Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups will want the low-end torque for occasional towing and hauling—while enjoying higher fuel economy—to launch a small diesel for 2016.
In early December, GMC invited ENR to take a 2016 Canyon pickup, equipped with the optional 2.8-liter, four-cylinder Duramax turbo diesel, for a spin in the outskirts of Chicago. The Duramax, with 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, achieves up to 31 miles per gallon on highway, more than any other pickup truck currently available. It also is available on the GMC Canyon’s brand stablemate, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado.