For 2024, Chevrolet is fixing one of the most glaring issues with its Silverado ZR2 pickup. The off-road truck is getting GM’s 3.0L inline-six Duramax turbo diesel. That engine will give the ZR2 more torque and better fuel efficiency for getting you up that trail and back again.
The rest of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado gets some updates too. Like a new name for the turbo-four, new active exhaust, and some other changes we’ll go into.
Silverado ZR2 Duramax Class Exclusive
ZR2 Duramax will give Chevy something no other off-road half-ton pickup offers. A diesel engine. One with 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. The best part of a diesel is that all of that torque comes on from idle speeds. So it’s there when you need it to get a trailer moving or to get the ZR2 up and over a particularly stubborn off-road obstacle.
It won’t be the high-speed off-road beast that the Ram TRX and Ford Raptor R are. But that’s fine. The Silverado ZR2 diesel will be more practical.
With the Silverado ZR2’s standard low-range transfer case and the wide ratio spread of GM’s 10-speed automatic, it has enough torque to try and turn the world.
Chevrolet didn’t have official fuel economy numbers, but based on the gas trucks, we can expect a big improvement. The diesel non-ZR2’s figure was 24 mpg on the combined cycle versus 17 for the 6.2L gas V8. That should put the ZR2 Duramax at around 22 mpg.
Since fuel economy plummets in a gas engine when you’re off-roading, the diesel should also be even nicer on the wallet and provide more range in that arena.
Louder Pipes for 2024 Silverado 6.2L
The 6.2L-equipped trucks get a new exhaust. All trims with that V8, including the ZR2, get a new active dual exhaust. A valve in the pipes gives the engine a louder, burlier exhaust sound depending on the drive mode. Normal, Tow, and Sport will all have different sound profiles.
2024 Silverado TurboMax
For 2024, Chevrolet is giving its 2.7L turbo-four base engine a new name. The 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet output are still the same, but now it’s called TurboMax. A bit of a play on the Duramax name.
The four-cylinder engine is offered on most trims of the Silverado 1500. It won’t be on the ZR2 or the other top-spec models, though.
2024 Chevrolet Silverado Gets Small Tweaks Too
Buyers of base WT work trucks will appreciate some of the convenience changes made to that trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard. So is OnStar, GM’s online telematics system. Work truck buyers will also be able to add front and rear parking assist. It’s the first time that package has been offered on the base truck.
Other small changes include a Midnight Edition for High Country that adds power-retractable steps with LED lighting. Adaptive cruise control is now standard on High Country as well. Other trims get a blackout appearance package.
Chevrolet did not say when the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 would hit dealers but expect it in the next few months. They were similarly silent on pricing. The 2024 truck will likely see a small hike from its $36,300 starting price in 2023.
