Cars

Many model years were crossover or transitional years for the Duramax diesel, thus it is often necessary to decipher the engine model/version using the vehicle's VIN number. The chart below may be used to identify which Duramax engine your truck has based on the 8th digit of the vehicle identification number (VIN). Note that this is the vehicle identification number, not the engine serial number. The VIN number is located on the driver side door pillar, the driver side dash-mounted VIN plate, and the vehicle's title or registration card. It is important to identify which engine your have under the hood because not all components are identical nor interchangeable and may be specific to your engine version. DURAMAX VIN CHART Model Year(s) 8th Digit of VIN Duramax Model & Notes 2001 - 2004 1  LB7  2 LLY (introduced midyear 2004) 2005 2 LLY (only engine offered for 2005) 2006 2  LLY (2006 version, different from 2005 ...

Following hot on the heels of  the XC90  come the new 2016 Volvo S90 and V90 twins - plunging Volvo back into the large premium car heartland.  Nominally replacing the S80 and V70, the new 90 series models will be aimed at the executive set of the Audi A6, BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class. As Volvo’s badging hierarchy indicates, the S90 is the saloon; the V90 the more versatile estate. A jacked-up V90 Cross Country version will follow, replacing  today's XC70 . Large Volvos rediscover style Remember the  Volvo Concept Estate  shown at the 2014 Geneva motor show, and pictured here? That’s the blueprint for the new top-end Volvos. ‘[The S90] very clearly demonstrates the transition to where we’re heading, more so than an estate or another XC product,’ said Nick Connor, managing director Volvo Car UK. ‘The S90 will surprise, and have more impact than just another large Volvo estate car. ‘The dimensions are much more premium than today’s S80’s. ...

General Motors  has announced the 2.8-liter Duramax inline four-cylinder turbodiesel slotted for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado  and  GMC Canyon  has started production in GM’s Thailand assembly plant. Details are still sparse on the engine’s output specs and fuel economy ratings, but GM estimates the engine will be fine-tuned to produce 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy should be respectable, with its highway average hovering in the mid 30’s mpg. The Duramax is also expected to help increase the Colorado and Canyon’s towing capacity past its current 7,000-pound maximum. The baby Duramax, as it’s been lovingly coined by industry analysts, uses a water-cooled, variable-geometry turbocharger and a high-pressure, common-rail fuel system pushing diesel at 29,000 psi. Also in the mix is a balance shaft that counter-rotates to quell vibrations. The 2.8-liter I-4 is designed to pass all Euro-4 emissions regulations and can be upgraded to pass E...

Mazda  has just released the first details on its mildly refreshed BT-50 mid-size  pickup truck.  The BT-50 is Mazda’s global pickup that competes with the  Toyota Hilux  and  Chevrolet Colorado.  Based on the global  Ford Ranger,  the BT-50 carries all the Ranger’s mechanicals but provides truck buyers with what Mazda calls, an “active lifestyle vehicle.” In other words, the BT-50 has a sportier style than the Ranger. This marks the first major refresh for the Mazda truck since its introduction back in 2011. Designers were modest in the restyling, only concentrating on the front grille, headlights and taillights. The interior also features a new feel that Mazda says is higher quality than before. A rear-view camera also makes its appearance for the first time on the truck. More specifically, the grille now has Mazda’s current corporate design, with the large horizontal bar backing the Mazda logo. Smoked headlights now have a more pr...

Toyota  has just announced an all-new  SUV  for the Australian market – the Fortuner. Based on the newest version of the venerable  Hilux  pickup truck,  the Fortuner is a rugged, body-on-frame SUV with seating for seven that’s powered by the same turbodiesel engine found in the Hilux and comes standard with a part-time, two-speed 4WD system and electronic locking rear differential. Tony Cramb, Toyota Australia’s executive director of sales and marketing, says the Fortuner is the brand’s diesel alternative to the Kluger, Australia’s version of the Highlander.  The Fortuner is also far more rugged and trail-ready than the unibody Kluger while slotting under the surprisingly similar  Land Cruiser  Prado in terms of luxury and price. Though both the Prado and Fortuner are traditional SUVs with three rows of seats for seven people, the two vehicles will appeal to different audiences. Toyota’s move to introduce the Fortuner makes more sense...

General Motors  is set to invest $877 million into its Flint, Michigan plant for updates that include a new body shop and retooling. The Michigan plant, GM’s oldest manufacturing facility that was constructed in 1947, builds the  2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD  and  2015 GMC Sierra HD,  most of which are Heavy Duties. The new body shop is a key addition to the plant and will be located near an existing facility on site that provides sheet metal for the  trucks.  The proximity will allow for quicker transportation of parts between the two buildings, making the production process smoother. What’s more, a new painting process called wet-coat will be used and will provide a higher quality painted surface that is also more durable. The retooling set to take place within the main assembly building is said to facilitate the next generation of  Silverado  and  Sierra  rumored to be in production for the 2018 model year. Coincidently, GM...