For months, we’ve been exploring GM’s big news on the LZ0 diesel engine. Although a few updates have been “leaked”, nothing was really serious until today. GM has officially released the details on the inline-six 3.0-liter LZ0 engine, which is the second edition of its Duramax six-cylinder. Select trim packages for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will receive this turbocharged engine.

So, what’s new with this unit? With the LM2 gone, the LZ0 will gladly take over from here. This new engine is rated at 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque which is a power increase of 7.6-percent. To compare, the LM2 made only 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. This makes this the most powerful diesel mill in GM’s 1500 pickup trucks.

Once you start to peel back the layers of the LZ0, you’ll see that it features upgraded steel pistons, a revised combustion bowl, a retuned turbocharger and fuel injectors, and benefits from improved temperature control as well. GM has taken your concerns, honed in on the problematic (or at least potentially problematic) areas, and built up from there. The next generation of light-duty diesel looks promising.

“These improvements to the popular 3.0-liter Duramax build on the already advanced design of the first-generation engine,” says GM Assistant Chief Engineer of Diesel Engines, John Barta. “We often hear customers express their satisfaction with the outstanding fuel economy and smooth quiet power of the current diesel engine, so we can’t wait for them to experience this advanced engine made possible by the continued design evolution and advances in engine technologies.”

The new turbocharged 3.0-liter LZ0 diesel engine will be available under the hood of select 2023 models, including Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. The new Duramax LZ0 diesel engine will mate exclusively with GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission. Engine assembly will occur at the GM Flint Engine Operations plant in Michigan, with availability expected to open up by the end of the 2022 calendar year.

Who’s ready? I know we are.