'06 Chevy Express and GMC Savana Full-Size Vans to Offer Duramax 6600 Turbodiesel

2006 Chevrolet Express - TurboDiesel Time

Every year at the auto show, the kids are drawn to the custom vans with the plush seats & the big televisions. Is there a place for these vehicles in the world of $3.00 a gallon gas? Maybe. For 2006 The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana have a Duramax 6600 turbodiesel option. With 300 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque, the Duramax is almost twice as powerful on both counts as the 2.7 liter Mercedes turbodiesel engine that powers the competing Dodge Sprinter. GM backs up their new Duramax diesel with an advanced 6-speed Allison automatic transmission.

Manufacturers don't have to rate fuel economy of vehicles in this size, but for the shorter wheelbase version 20 mpg wouldn't be out of the question. For the longer wheelbase version, 15 mpg would be realistic. Doesn't sound impressive? 16 mpg in a van carrying 8 people is 128 person-miles per gallon, a figure that you couldn't achieve with a Toyota Prius carrying two people. In theory, you can do even better than this, because 15-seat models are available.

In the past, long-wheelbased passenger vans have been criticized because they tend to be involved in crashes with multiple fatalities. In part, this is due to inexperienced drivers. In part it has to do with lack of safety features in the vehicles. In the 2006 GM vans, stability control is now standard, and the frame has been strengthened. Hopefully this will reduce the rate of roll-over crashes.

'06 Chevy Express and GMC Savana Full-Size Vans to Offer Duramax 6600 Turbodiesel