Horsepower & Torque

The newly designed 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers ample power and impressive torque figures, considering its relatively small displacement. With output figures of 310 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 420 pound-feet of torque, available at a low 1,500 RPM, this engine is more than capable of delivering the power and capability that Sierra owners have come to expect. GM engineers have included a handful of modern engine technologies to achieve these figures, including Direct Injection technology, Active Thermal Management, and a three-phase camshaft.

Towing & Payload

Pickup truck purists would be surprised at the towing and payload figures offered by this new turbocharged four-cylinder engine. GMC Sierra 1500 pickups equipped with the 2.7L engine are rated to tow up to a maximum of 9,600 lbs (4,354 kgs), and have a payload capacity of up to 2,280 lbs (1,034 kgs). These figures are definitely nothing to scoff at, considering that they are comparable with the other engine options available in Sierra 1500.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine boasts fuel economy figures of 12.5 L/100 km in the city, 10.8 L/100km on the highway and 11.7 L/100km combined. Designed with optimum efficiency in mind, GM engineers used several fuel-saving technologies to achieve fuel economy figures that have made the 2.7L engine more efficient than the larger V6 engine found on the GMC Canyon & Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickups. These technologies include an Active Fuel Management system, Auto Start/Stop and Cylinder Deactivation capabilities, and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Speed & Performance

The little engine that keeps on giving. Capability and efficiency aren’t the only highlights of the 2.7L engine. Its turbocharged nature, as well as three-phase camshaft design, allow for performance numbers that outperform the older 4.3L V6 and 4.8L V8 engines found in previous Sierra models. With a 0-to-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.8 seconds, the 2.7L engine

The 2.7L Turbo 4-cylinder engine may deliver outstanding fuel efficiency as well as high performance thanks to a redesigned 3-phase Camshaft, with an acceleration time of 6.8 seconds from 0-to-100 km/h, outperforming the older 4.3L V6 and 4.8L V8 found in previous model years.

Additional Technologies

Direct Injection

A widely used engine technology where fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber to improve fuel-air mixture. This reduces excess waste, while also improving fuel efficiency and engine performance.

Active Fuel Management (AFM)

Active Fuel Management was initially developed by General Motors for their 5.3L V8.  This engine technology deactivates half of the engine’s cylinders during light duty conditions, such as highway cruising, to enhance overall fuel economy.

Variable Valve Timing (VVT)

Automatically adjusts the timing of the engine’s valve lift to increase performance, fuel efficiency, and decrease excess waste.

3 Phase Camshaft

The 2.7L engines intake camshaft was designed with grooves that allow it to move depending on engine demand:

• "High Lift" mode for better performance.
• "Low Lift" mode for everyday commuting.
• "AFM" mode for optimal fuel efficiency.