The updated 2022 GMC Sierra is officially unveiled. Although major news revolves around the automaker’s two new decorations-the super premium Denali Ultimate and the luxury off-road vehicle AT4X-GMC quietly stuffed another hidden gem Enter its press release: the base model and its four-cylinder engine.
Yes really. Peeking under the hood of the truck’s turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, the engine gained 72 pound-feet of torque overnight, for a total torque of 420 pound-feet. This is a 20% improvement over the upcoming 2.7-liter turbo engine, which produces only 348 lb-ft. The two engines still output the same horsepower, and this number remains the same at 310. Although all its new bells and whistles finally make Sierra look like a truck designed in this decade, this is one of the most prominent things to us. Here is how GM did it.
The 2022 Sierra AT4X will use GM's 6.2-liter V8 standard.
GMC stated that this growth has been achieved due to some improvements to the existing L3B engine. First, the automaker focused on strengthening some physical components. The cylinder block castings were modified to add additional stiffness, and the stiffness of the crankshaft was increased by 30%, thereby increasing the smoothness.
These physical adjustments allowed GM's engineers to focus on squeezing more power from the engine.
"Our team was able to find greater torque in the flat part of the current torque curve between 1500 and 4000 RPM," a GM spokesperson told The Drive. "Calibration includes increased boost, and of course injection and ignition timing adjustments. ."
One disadvantage that new buyers may really feel is when torque is transmitted in the power band. Compared with the new version of the engine, the old configuration reached 348 lb-ft at 1,500 RPM and reached a peak torque rating of 420 lb-ft at 3,000 RPM—about half the speed range. Although it will start later, 72-foot-pound is not a figure worth shaking, so buyers may be a bit forgiving.
Although this particular engine modification has only been confirmed on Sierra and Silverado, there is another car with L3B under the hood: Cadillac CT4-V. CT4-V can currently produce 325 HP and 380 lb-ft of torque, but if the improvements made to a four-cylinder truck are suitable for performance cars, future owners may see considerable performance improvements in the future. Sadly, General Motors told us that it has nothing to share about future products, but its pickup truck customers are very happy to experience this powerful engine.
Are there any hints or questions for the author? Contact them directly: rob@thedrive.com.
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