--- title: "Base Chevy Silverado 1500 Work Truck Finally Gets the Duramax Diesel" date: "2026-06-17" modified: "2026-06-17" authors: - name: "Caleb Jacobs" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/base-chevy-silverado-1500-work-truck-finally-gets-the-duramax-diesel" categories: - "Chevrolet News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Chevrolet" - "pickup" - "silverado" --- # Base Chevy Silverado 1500 Work Truck Finally Gets the Duramax Diesel ![2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT]() *\Chevrolet\* While there are plenty of people who like high-end, premium pickups these days, there are others who just want the bare necessities. A cloth bench seat instead of massaging leather thrones sounds pretty good to them. Those are the folks who buy the [Chevy]() Silverado WT—well, them and fleets. And finally, for [the 2027 model year](), they can get that work truck spec with the torquey 3.0-liter Duramax diesel. Until now, the Silverado WT was only available with the 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder and the 5.3-liter V8. The former is still the base engine (although it's now paired to the 10-speed automatic rather than the old eight-speed), and General Motors' next-gen 5.7-liter small-block replaces the latter. While we don't have power specs for [the new 350 V8](), I imagine it will be the highest horsepower option, while the diesel likely offers the most twist with 495 lb-ft of torque in its current state of tune. We still have a lot to learn about the 2027 Silverado 1500 as it just debuted on Tuesday, but we can make some informed guesses based on the outgoing model. The 3.0-liter Duramax helps 2026 model-year trucks tow up to 13,300 pounds, and it does so with the signature smoothness of a diesel inline-six. Sure, a V8 can do it, but it won't be as nice. Additionally, the oil burner should get better fuel mileage than a small-block, and maybe even the TurboMax four-cylinder, as that thing drinks fuel when the turbo spools. ![Front right view of refined second-generation 3.0L inline-six turbo-diesel Duramax.]() *The current 3.0-liter Duramax diesel, codenamed LZ0, makes 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. It also achieves an EPA-rated 25 mpg combined in 4x2 trucks. Kory Peterson* I emailed Chevrolet and asked whether the Duramax option is limited to any certain cab, bed, and drivetrain combinations. A spokesperson for the automaker replied, "Additional details on specific configuration availability will be shared closer to launch." The 3.0-liter has only ever been available in crew cabs, and that may still be the case. But imagine if Chevy goes all out and offers the diesel in a single cab. Now that'd be something. As we wait to find out, we can collectively appreciate a base model truck on steelies that uses the green handle at the pump. The world is a better place with more of those in it. *Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com* ## Author Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Instagram]() [Twitter]()