GM's Mega 8.3L Duramax Diesel Is Actually Cheaper Than the Competition

GM says its new 8.3-liter Duramax diesel will be the cheapest option among Detroit’s heavy-duty competitors, overturning expectations that high-end diesels automatically cost more. The automaker announced this week the 8.3-liter will cost $11,400 as an option over the standard gas V8. That’s $1,410 more than the outgoing 6.6-liter diesel, but performance jumps to 555 horsepower and 1,230 lb-ft, up 85 hp and 255 lb-ft versus the previous L5P Duramax. Compared with GM’s gas V8, it adds 143 hp and 758 lb-ft. Against Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke (500 hp/1,200 lb-ft) and Ram’s 6.7-liter Cummins I6 (430 hp/1,075 lb-ft), both competitors cost $12,495—$1,095 more—despite lower outputs. GM’s Sierra HD AT4X still comes to about $102,000 when specced with the diesel.