New York: 2010 GMC Terrain is condensed butch
by Jonathon Ramsey on Apr 8th 2009 at 1:08PM 
The tagline for GMC's 2010 Terrain is "The CUV hs bn cndnsd," which they intend to mean it's all about smaller size yet bigger capability. The direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine returns 30 mpg, the MultiFlex sliding rear seats provide huge storage space or best-in-class leg room, and among the many storage spaces, the center console can swallow a laptop. It's also loaded with kit, including remote vehicle start, red ambient interior lighting, 7-inch touch-screen nav and a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system with two independent screens. And according to our reader poll, the styling is an 8 out of 10. Check out all the info in the press release after the jump and the high-res pics in the gallery below.
Gallery: New York: 2010 GMC Terrain
Gallery: 2010 GMC Terrain
Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE:
GMC EXPANDS ITS ENGINEERING EXPERTISE WITH THE EFFICIENT AND CAPABLE 2010 TERRAIN
* All-new, five-passenger crossover SUV delivers expected segment-best highway fuel economy of 30 mpg
* Comprehensive package of premium features, with an emphasis on vehicle safety and passenger comfort
* GMC's engineering excellence and innovation advances with direct injection technology, programmable power liftgate and standard rear vision camera
NEW YORK –GMC's all-new 2010 Terrain makes its world debut at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. The Terrain is a five-passenger crossover SUV that blends bold styling with fuel efficiency and premium features.
"The new Terrain brings GMC's history of innovation and engineering excellence into a smaller, fuel-efficient package for today's buyer," said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. "The capability attributes that make a vehicle a GMC are ingrained in Terrain, making it an appealing choice for existing traditional SUV customers who are looking for distinctive styling and increased efficiency."
A new, 2.4L four-cylinder engine that features direct injection is expected to deliver best-in-segment highway fuel economy of 30 mpg. Maximum fuel economy is achieved in part with an "ECO" mode that is activated via a console-mounted button. When engaged, it lowers the torque converter lockup speed to 1,125 rpm to help save fuel on models equipped with the 2.4L engine.
Also available will be a 3.0L DOHC direct injected V-6 engine delivering an estimated 264 horsepower (197 kW). Both engines are mated to efficiency-enhancing six-speed automatic transmissions and offer a refined, confident driving experience.
"GMC is a strong, core brand for GM and the Terrain crossover SUV is the latest example of how we're adapting to changing market conditions," said Docherty. "As we first demonstrated with the Acadia crossover, GMC is committed to offering the capable vehicles customers seek, with the personal technologies they expect."
The 2010 Terrain goes on sale in late summer, with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models offered in SLE and SLT trim levels. A comprehensive list of standard and available features includes purposeful technologies such as:
* Standard rear vision camera
* Programmable power rear liftgate
* Bluetooth hands-free phone capability
* MultiFlex sliding rear seat that increases passenger comfort or provides optimal cargo space
* Remote vehicle start
* USB audio connectivity; MP3 playback
* Seven-inch touch-screen navigation system and a 40-gigabyte hard drive
* DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system with two independent screens
* Standard OnStar and XM Satellite Radio
Segment-best safety is anticipated, with features that include four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control, as well as six standard air bags: dual frontal air bags; head curtain side air bags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side air bags. OnStar with one-year Safe and Sound service is also standard.
Bold styling
Terrain has a balanced, athletic stance and offers a commanding view of the road. Its design is characterized by bold, muscular fender flares, representing GMC's aesthetic. Surfacing is angular yet refined, with a strong and capable front-end appearance that features precise, squared-off edges.
"We wanted to carve the GMC Terrain away from the pack and establish its identity as a powerful, fresh crossover SUV with a confident and strong stance," said John Cafaro Jr., director of exterior design, Global Crossover Vehicles. "Everything about the Terrain communicates a sense of tailored toughness and passionate craftsmanship."
Additional design features include a unique, three-element grille that is accented by a prominent chrome surround and projector-beam headlamps mounted in large, rectangular housings with chrome accents.
Interior details and flexibility
The Terrain's rich, premium interior is influenced by industrial sculpture and exudes refinement exemplified by contrast stitching and fine materials that create a structured look throughout the cabin. A "floating" center stack, highlighted by warm ambient lighting, houses a multitude of ergonomic comfort and convenience controls.
The Terrain also features great attention to detail, with smart use of storage space and compartments that are suitable for a variety of items. They include an oversized glove box; a closed storage area in the instrument panel above the center stack; a closed storage compartment under the center armrest large enough for a laptop computer; and two-tier storage in the doors.
Terrain's seats were developed to provide outstanding comfort and the standard MultiFlex sliding rear seat can be moved fore or aft nearly eight inches (200 mm), providing increased passenger comfort or greater rear cargo capacity. The 60/40-split rear seatback offers additional configurations for passengers and cargo; and the rear cargo area offers 31.6 cubic feet (894 liters) of storage, as well as one of the Terrain's four auxiliary power outlets.
Confident and agile driving experience
Two new engines are offered on all Terrain models, each with fuel-saving direct injection and variable valve timing technology. Vehicle highlights include:
* New 3.0L DOHC direct injected V-6 engine estimated at 264 horsepower (197 kW), which delivers an estimated 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city (EPA certification pending).
* New 2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine estimated at 182 horsepower (136 kW) that delivers an estimated 30 mpg highway, 21 mpg city (EPA certification pending)
* Driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km) with both engines, for less-frequent fill-ups
The powertrains are mounted on a rigid, body-integral structure, with single-piece body side stampings and targeted applications of high-strength steel. It is the foundation of a confident driving experience that is both smooth and responsive.
GM's first application of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is used on 2.4L-equipped models. ANC uses microphones to detect booming sounds inside the vehicle and sends counteracting sound waves through the audio system's speakers, ensuring a quiet driving experience at almost all vehicle speeds.
The Terrain rides on a 112.5-inch (2,857 mm) wheelbase and features a four-wheel independent suspension system, with wide front and rear tracks that enhance the ride and handling. A family of 17-inch, 18-inch aluminum and 19-inch chrome-clad wheels is available.
Terrain's rack-mounted electric power steering system provides greater fuel efficiency on four-cylinder-equipped models, saving nearly 11 miles per tank of gas.
GMC Terrain will be produced at the CAMI assembly facility in Ingersoll, Ontario.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Taglane 1:14PM (4/08/2009)
Now I love the front and hate the rear...
Reply
Richard 1:16PM (4/08/2009)
"Condensed butch"
Domestic Forester?
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Chase 1:17PM (4/08/2009)
Amazing. There are some small cars that consume more fuel than that. I like the interior a lot too! Excellent job GM!
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zamafir 1:28PM (4/08/2009)
It's not really amazing at all, it's what happens when you trade performance for fuel economy.
kimosen 1:58PM (4/08/2009)
Except remember that this platform goes from a 184hp 3.4L V6 to a 182hp 2.4L SIDI I-4.
A downgrade of 2 horsepower when coupled with 2 additional gears in the transmission doesn't sound like a drop in performance to me. It sounds like an engineering improvement.
zamafir 2:12PM (4/08/2009)
Damn near every car at this price point puts out
zamafir 2:19PM (4/08/2009)
I guess those brackets threw off the reply, ill try once more.
Damn near every car at this price point puts out less than200hp an 30mpg. Just because the previous v6 was woefully antiquated doesn't make this a massive improvement. If a change from an inadequate less than 200hp V6 to a straight four with less displacement producing greater efficiency is a surprise to anyone than they need to go ahead and read some basic articles on general rules of displacement and fuel economy. Of course a 180ish hp 2.4l is going to produce better fuel economy than 180ish hp 3.4l. That's like being surprised the TT-S with it's 265hp 2.0T produces better fuel economy than the 3.2L. No Sh!t, lmao. Improvement for GM? sure. amazing? surprising? no, not unless such revolutionary technology as six speed transmissions surprises you. Or any other basic improvement slowly making it's way down the GM tech tree. I like this little CUV, like the looks, appreciate the economy, but it’s more of a no-sh!t reaction than a jaw dropping wow reaction.
kimosen 2:26PM (4/08/2009)
Would it be amazing if the CR-V hit 30mpg or if the RAV4 hit 30?
Of course it would.
It'd be front page news if Honda started using Direct Injection on all their engines.
But this is General Motors, so an all DI lineup isn't amazing, it isn't ground breaking, it's apparently "No sh!t".
Give up on hating, this is genuine progress, and will put the pressure on the Japanese rivals - as opposed to the other way around.
Improvement isn't "no sh!t", it's improvement.
Improvement is good - no matter what company it comes from.
kimosen 2:30PM (4/08/2009)
I'd also like to point out that I didn't say that it was amazing or jaw dropping.
I simply said it was an engineering improvement - which it is.
No, 6 speeds mated to 4cyl engines isn't a surprise - but GM was the first company to do it in a passenger car - and now they're the first one to do it in an SUV.
Why can't GM have any claims to fame?
MikeW 4:54PM (4/08/2009)
The previous engine wasn't re-rated from duty in the minivans.
Electric power steering adds at least 5hp.
and the old Equinox had a 5 speed auto.
Toyota can add the 6 speed auto to the RAV4, and get 30mpg highway for front drive. (maybe Toyota was using up all the old 4 speed autos)
Never the less, the Equinox & Terrain are going to be slow.
At best, V6 16.5@85, I4 17.5@80
BigWill 8:52PM (4/08/2009)
Considering Hyundai's 2.4 World Engine puts out 175 hp without DI, I would have expected a bit more more out of GM's engine.
MikeW 12:47AM (4/09/2009)
Consider against the SULEV World 2.4 168hp@6000, 163ft-lbs@400 against
GM 2.4 182hp@6700, 172ft-lbs@4900.
Still, very comparable dimensions 88mm bore for both, 97mm stroke for World, 98mm for GM. 11.7:1 for direct injected GM, 10.5:1 for World
Maybe, hopefully GM will tune it up to 200hp for the Malibu.
Abe 1:25PM (4/08/2009)
There is no mistaking this is a GMC. The exterior design is still questionable, but it's growing on me.
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Kumar 1:27PM (4/08/2009)
So that's where the Jeep/Dodge Patriot/Compass/Caliber designers went off to.
It's about the size most SUVs should have been instead of going gigantic. Not bad though, as it least people feel like their in a macho machine even it it's shrunk a bit.
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Frylock350 1:38PM (4/08/2009)
What do you mean going gigantic? The first SUV was the Chevy Suburban, which hasn't grown in decades.
nexus 3:30PM (4/08/2009)
This is exactly what I thought when I first saw the GMC Terrain. Now mind you, I do like the design of the Jeep Patriot/Compass & Caliber. But now when I see this on the road, I'll be thinking about the small SUV's from Chrysler; & probably mistake it for a Patriot/Compass from afar.
Jay 1:29PM (4/08/2009)
More like, "The Equinox hs bn rsknnd."
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zamafir 1:29PM (4/08/2009)
Yup, plus it looks more bruce than the new GC.
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The Luigiian 1:32PM (4/08/2009)
As has already said the GMC Terrain looks decent and reasonably butch.
Unfortunately, the 2011 Grand Cherokee leaves it in the dust styling-wise. The wheel arches on the Terrain are trying a bit too hard, and the front headlights are one split-lens light too high. The Jeep's maybe a little boring but it looks classy.
From a styling perspective, (not counting of course the fact that the GC and Terrain are technically not in the same class), this is a tossup. New York's got two very different styles of SUV masculinity on its hands here. I think I like the Grand Cherokee's more reserved style a little better.
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Frylock350 1:39PM (4/08/2009)
Who'd think you'd ever see a day where a GMC is more brash than a Jeep.