GM is about to start selling a full-sized pickup with a four-cylinder engine under its hood. Would you buy a truck with four pistons?

Before you answer, let’s take a look at its specs. Standard on LT and RST trims, the new engine will make 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque. That’s not bad at all, especially considering it is a full 22% more torque than GM’s own 4.3L V-6. Said to be developed specifically for truck applications, the new 2.7L turbo inline-four will delivers it peak torque from 1500 to 4000 rpm.

On paper, that sounds pretty good. Blue Oval pickup truck fans have also been able to select a engine with 2.7L of displacement for a number of years. For 2019, that mill delivers 325 horses and 400 lb⋅ft of twist, with peak torque coming online at 2750rpm. Base specs between the two motors are pretty comparable, then.

It’s packed with technology, too. Active fuel management, continuously variable valve timing, thermal management systems – this certainly isn’t your garden variety four-banger. Dual chambers in the turbocharger work to create boost very quickly, explaining the abundance of down-low torque. It’s electric water pump is a first for Chevy trucks.

Here’s the difference: despite having an identical displacement of 2.7L, Ford’s engine has a cylinder count of six. Four bangers have long been associated with economy cars and small crossovers, not macho full-sized trucks with a grille the size of Texas. If GM’s new engine fails to capture a significant percentage of market share, your humble author believes it will be due to an image problem associated with the number of cylinders, not its capability.

Media reps are experiencing their first drives of the four-cylinder Silverado as you read this, so expect to see a report on its performance here at Off-Road.com very soon. Until then, cast your vote below.