Wards's Names Vortec 4200 I6 and Duramax Diesel 6600 V8 Engines to the 2002 "10 Best Engines List
FOR RELEASE: December 11, 2001Wards's Names Vortec 4200 I6 and Duramax Diesel 6600 V8 Engines to the 2002 "10 Best Engines List
PONTIAC, Mich. -Ward's Communications announced today that General Motors' Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder and Duramax Diesel 6600 V8 engines have captured "10 Best Engines" designations in its annual ranking for 2002.
Ward's Communications publishes Ward's AutoWorld and Ward's Engine and Vehicle Technology Update. The criteria for this competition includes a range of customer driveability factors such as horsepower, torque, technical relevance to the vehicle, and low levels of noise, vibration and harshness. Ward's "10 Best Engines," to be featured in the January 2002 issue of Ward's AutoWorld, was created as a way to recognize superior performance and showcase the critical importance of powertrain technology and excellence in engine engineering.
The Vortec 4200 powers GM's Oldsmobile Bravada, GMC Envoy and Chevrolet TrailBlazer sport utility vehicles. The 4.2-liter I6 engine is produced at GM's Flint Engine South facility in Flint, Mich. The Duramax Diesel 6600 V8, which was also named to Ward's 2001 "10 Best Engines" list, serves as an optional engine in the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500 Series pickups and chassis-cab models. Duramax Diesel engines are sourced and manufactured at a GM-Isuzu joint venture facility in Moraine, Ohio.
Vortec 4200 Inline 6-Cylinder
General Motors' all-new Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder engine features several advanced technologies that provide outstanding power, smoothness and fuel efficiency. It delivers the power of a V8 and the fuel efficiency of a six-cylinder engine.
The Vortec 4200 features all aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, delivering 270 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.
Additional engine features include a high compression ratio, electronic throttle control, exhaust cam phasing, coil-on-plug ignition, advanced powertrain control module, direct mount accessories, and easy-maintenance features.
The Vortec engine's award-winning cast aluminum block and aluminum cylinder head is produced at GM's Saginaw Metal Castings facility in Saginaw, Mich., using a "lost foam" process. Lost foam allows more exact dimensional control while reducing the machining efforts in oil galleries, coolant and other internal passages. Utilizing advanced combustion technology, the engine has a 10:1 compression ratio, which helps provide excellent fuel economy. The engine delivers the horsepower and combustion efficiency advantages of a high compression engine, yet operates on regular grade unleaded gasoline.
Duramax Diesel 6600 V8
The Duramax Diesel 6600 is positioned to help GM set new industry standards for diesel power, performance, durability, reliability and quiet operation in the growing heavy-duty pickup class.
The 6.6-liter, direct-injection, overhead valve (OHV) four-valve-per-cylinder
turbocharged diesel V8 delivers outstanding power and performance with ratings of 300 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 520 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 rpm.
The 90-degree engine delivers a high, flat torque curve and provides impressive power
across the power band. This increased output helps the GM heavy-duty pickups excel in off-the-line performance, acceleration, and heavy-duty trailering and hauling. In addition, the engine provides refinement in terms of operating quietness and smoothness not typically associated with heavy-duty diesel engines.
The Duramax Diesel 6600's four-valve-per-cylinder configuration is the standard for modern diesel engine design. It optimizes airflow in and out of the engine, improves breathing at higher rpms, processes more air and, therefore, generates more horsepower than competing designs.
The fuel system is the heart of the Duramax Diesel engine. To ensure that every component in the new V8 would perform with the best possible efficiency, a Bosch Common Rail Fuel System utilizing high pressure direct injection was specially designed and calibrated to meet the engine's high performance standards. In addition, pilot injection is utilized to help reduce noise.
The Duramax Diesel 6600 is the product of a joint venture (DMAX, Ltd.) between GM and Isuzu Motors. GM has had a relationship with Isuzu since 1971. Because of Isuzu's expertise in commercial vehicles and diesel engines, they were selected to be the base engine designers for the all new Duramax 6600. GM Powertrain Engineering worked jointly with Isuzu on the calibration and validation of the engine.
GM Powertrain (GMPT) is a global producer of engines, transmissions, castings and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine, and industrial OEMs. Headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, GMPT employs 76,000 people and has operating and coordinating responsibility for 37 sites (which include plants, engineering and testing facilities) in 13 countries, including North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
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