GM Brings Back “Tripower” Name for New Sierra/Silverado Engine
The 2019 GMC Sierra Elevation will come with GM’s new Tripower four-cylinder turbo engine
General Motors is bringing back a historic name for the new 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that will be featured in the 2019 GMC Sierra and 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.
GM is referring to this engine as the Tripower, a throwback to the days of the Pontiac brand. The original Pontiac “Tri-Power” V8 engine first appeared in 1957, went on to be featured in the GTO muscle car, and disappeared after 1966. It derived its name from the three two-barrel carburetors that were placed on top.
The Tripower name is about the only thing the new engine has in common with the old one. For the new engine, Tripower isn’t referring to three carburetors. Instead, it’s emphasizing three different technologies contained within the engine: cylinder deactivation, variable intake-valve lift, and Active Thermal Management. These technologies work together to help the engine run more effectively and efficiently. (Just how much more efficiently isn’t clear, as GM hasn’t released any fuel economy estimates yet for the new engine.)
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The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado RST will get a Tripower engine, too
Along with these technologies, the new Tripower engine also includes automatic stop/start, dual-vane turbocharging, and an electric water pump. It puts out 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque.
The new four-cylinder engine will come standard on the Silverado LT and RST — two of the pickup’s best-selling models. Lower trims will have a 4.3-liter V6, and higher ones will offer a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel.
For the GMC Sierra, the Tripower will be the standard engine for the Elevation and SLE trims.
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News Source: Car and Driver
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