GM's Duramax V-8 engine to power U.S. Army's Humvee replacement

Posted on 8/29/2015 6:24:03 PM

The 6.6-liter Duramax engine, jointly developed and built with Isuzu, has been a workhorse for GM since 2001, powering most heavy-duty versions of the Silverado and Sierra pickups. The civilian version of the engine is rated at 397 hp and 765 pound-feet of torque.

A GM spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

GM has revamped the Duramax engine several times since 2001, but its basic twin-turbo 32-valve dual overhead cam layout has remained unchanged. The company has built more than 1.5 million of the engines.

The Humvee that is being replaced is powered by a GM-designed diesel engine which dates back to the 1980s.

Oshkosh does not list any specifications for the military version of the Duramax engine, but says that it will offer improved fuel economy when idling and driving.

The contract pays for 17,000 JLTVs, but it could eventually be worth $50 billion and nearly 55,000 vehicles, The Washington Post reported. The JLTV will be used by the Army and the Marines. GM will build the JLTV’s engine in its Duramax engine plant in Moraine, Ohio.

The JLTV will be assembled in Oshkosh, Wis.

Oshkosh beat out Lockheed Martin and AM General for the contract.

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