General Motors says prices for its updated and pickups are going up for the new model year, but buyers will still only pay the 2010 option price if they want to add the improved 6.6-liter Duramax V-8 diesel engine.
The 2011 Silverado and Sierra HD pickups start at $27,965 for entry-level regular cab two-wheel-drive Work Truck 2500 models with the standard 6.0-liter gasoline V-8 engine. That price excludes a $995 destination charge.
But for buyers who want , they'll pay an extra $8,395 for the oil burner and six-speed Allison automatic transmission — the same as last year.
What makes this diesel pricing news notable is that the Duramax has to meet tough new emissions standards for diesel engines that took effect for all diesel engines manufactured after Jan. 1. This has already caused price spikes of more than $6,000 for big over-the-road trucks from manufacturers like Navistar and Hino. Even the new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickups, which met 2010 emissions regulations as of the 2007 model year, have increased the price of their 6.7-liter Cummins I-6 diesel by $500 for 2010.
Ford has also for the all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 available for 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickups.
Both the Duramax and Power Stroke add new diesel exhaust fluid systems to scrub nitrogen oxide emissions, while the Cummins diesel for Ram HD pickups remains DEF-free.
The 6.6-liter LML Duramax is rated a segment-leading 397 horsepower and 765 pounds-feet of torque, up from the previous LMM engine's 365 hp and 650 pounds-feet. The LML also comes with a new push-button-activated exhaust brake and can run on biodiesel blends up to B20 (20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent ultralow sulfur diesel).
Starting prices for all Chevy HD pickups are rising by about $600 on average, but it varies by model, according to Chevrolet spokesman Brian Goebel. Compared with 2010, the 2500 HD is $500 more, the 3500 HD single rear wheel is $1,120 more, and the 3500 HD dual rear wheel is $125 more.
GMC is adding a that starts at $45,865. It's positioned to compete head-to-head against Ford's luxurious King Ranch Super Duty that starts at $45,715.
The Sierra Denali is only available as a three-quarter-ton 2500 HD crew-cab four-wheel-drive model with a choice of gas or diesel engine. It comes equipped with a unique four-bar chrome grille, body-color bumpers, chrome door handles and a choice of 18-inch or 20-inch chrome wheels.
All 2011 GM HD pickups feature completely redesigned full-boxed frames that help improve max fifth wheel towing to 20,000 pounds and max payload to 6,335 pounds. Also available is trailer sway control and hill start assist.
Production of the 2011 Silverado and Sierra HD pickup starts in May. The first models are expected to arrive at Chevrolet and GMC dealers in June with five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties.
