26mpg is crazy. Impressive!
We’re loaded and ready to roll to Bowling Green, Kentucky, with our Project Ultimate Corvette for the Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials Nationals Powered by Hagerty.
But we've got a surprise hauling the C5.
Usually, we load it up behind our 2010 Toyota Tundra, but a recent conversation with Chevrolet went like this:
"Have any needs to test tow-capable trucks in actual towing situations?"
"Well, yes, we do."
So when TTN rolled around, we borrowed a 2021 Suburban equipped with the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel inline-six that cranks out a whopping 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The Suburban also features several trailer-friendly options, like auto-leveling and a built-in trailer management app.
So far, we’re impressed. We did 60 miles of errand running around town yesterday—all city driving—and the Suburban averaged 26.2 mpg. That’s just nuts. We’re excited to measure the truck’s performance and efficiency once towing the Corvette.
Speaking of Corvettes and efficiency, we’ll be running Sunoco E85 at TTN. Last week, we visited Redline Tuning Services, our local LS tuning guru in Daytona Beach, and the folks there put together an E85 tune that made horsepower and shed heat.
[How to make more power with E85.]
The only downside to running E85 is that you run a lot of it, so efficiency is reduced. Luckily, it’s less expensive than regular gas: Local E85 prices are $2.29 per gallon, and it tests right at 85% ethanol.
Our drum of Sunoco E85-R will meet us at the event, so we’ll have reliable, cool and consistent power on tap all week.
[What's the difference between race fuel and street fuel?]
TTN will also mark our first event on the new Goodyear Eagle RS R-compound tires. These tires recently scored GT2 class wins at an SCCA Majors event. We’ll find out more after our first sessions at NCM Motorsports Park.
Look for us on the road late Tuesday and all day Wednesday. If you see us, wave.
26mpg is crazy. Impressive!
3.0 inline 6 diesel? Thats intriguing. I wonder it it would fit in my XJ.
Day 1 update. 360-ish miles, 18mpg towing the Corvette. I'm impressed.
Wow. That's seriously impressive; I figured you'd be down in the mid-teens.
So are you buying one? Because the last tow vehicle you borrowed and enjoyed was that Tundra....
That mileage is very compelling.
This weekend I also towed my new-to-me Corvette with my Suburban, but your are both much nicer and get 2x the towing mileage.
Impressive mileage to say the least!
I like inline 6's. I like diesels. You can tell Chevy I had no idea they made a babymax. I rented a Tahoe last year, and it was really nice, and scooted for its weight.
That 3.0 LM2 is a fantastic engine! The driveability, response, and fuel economy blow away even recent diesels. I've driven a few, and now the 3.0 diesel in our cayenne feels downright slow and laggy in comparison! It really is that much of an improvement. Perfect engine for highway cruising, not as great for solely city driving since you won't be getting any regens.
It's also a great fit for the trucks. Unfortunately it's not available in the at4 or z71 packages on the SUVs, that would be a fantastic package!
I reaaalllllly would like to trade in our 6.2 Escalade ESV on a new one with the Duramax 6 in it, but I'll have to settle for someone's old and busted one in a few years.
Our old diesel Suburbans fit our needs perfectly. I'm really glad GM is doing it again.
So what are our thoughts on the wet belt-driven oil pump? They have a 150k inspection interval, and you have to pull the transmission to do that.
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