Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #243

Dan Roth — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Podcasts, Etc., BMW, GMC

BMW 3 Series without camo, self-inflating tires, GMC Sierra HD victory, heavy truck efficiency standards

Episode #243 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week, Chris and Dan are joined by Autoblog Executive Editor Chris Paukert. Topics we cover are the latest win for GMC in an HD-pickup torture test, the spotting of a 2012 BMW 3 Series without camo, Goodyear self-inflating tires and what the impact of the first-ever heavy truck fuel efficiency standards will be. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #243:

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Toyota Highlander
Long-term 2011 Hyundai Equus

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:04:21

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #243

Autoblog Podcast #243 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GMC Sierra HD concept coming to Detroit

Chris Shunk — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, GMC, Diesel

2011 GMC Sierra HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors' heavy-duty truck twins - the GMC Sierra HD and Chevrolet Silverado HD - were reworked for 2011 with the addition of an all-new chassis and an upgraded 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine. But while the capable trucks' guts were given a transplant, the vehicle's blue-collar exterior and aging interior were left unchanged. With Ford and Ram updating the look and feel of their heavy duty pickups over the past year, we're thinking GM won't stand idly by forever, and we may have a peak at the next Sierra sooner than you think.

Our friends over at PickupTrucks.com are reporting that sources within GM have said that we can expect a Sierra HD concept at the North American International Auto Show in January. The super-sized concept will likely show one possible design direction for the haul-happy pickup, giving it new sheetmetal to accompany its already very capable hardware. Will the concept look production-ready, or will it be a pie in the sky rendering on wheels? We'll have to wait until January to find out.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 GM HD Trucks

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: GMC Sierra HD concept coming to Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, GMC, New Car Reviews

Looks The Same Yet Is Anything But

2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE - Click above for high-res image gallery

2010 has been a banner year for heavy-duty pickup truck fans, with revamped entries from all three U.S. automakers making their debut this year. Of those, the HD pickups from both Chevrolet and GMC received the most subtle exterior updates, but virtually everything under their skins is new, including a heavily revamped version of the company's 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8.

When it comes to full-size pickup trucks, the old Burger King tag-line of "Have It Your Way" still rings true. Regardless of where your brand loyalty lies, these types of trucks are available with either gas or diesel engines; as regular, extended or crew-cab and with regular or long beds. All you have to do is figure out what you need the truck for and then check the appropriate boxes on the dealer's order sheet. Somewhere in the middle of this cacophony of choice lies the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD.

Continue reading...

Gallery: Review: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE

Continue reading Review: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE

Review: 2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD SLE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Power Stroke wins Ward's diesel shootout

Zach Bowman — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Work, Dodge, Ford, GMC

2011 Ford Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

Wards Auto has crowned its king of the 2011 diesel pickup engine crowd. The editors pitted the mills in the 2011 Dodge Ram HD, Ford Super Duty and the GMC Sierra Denali HD against each other in one epic battle royale at the Robert Bosch LLC test track, and while each of the three oil-burners did a smart job of hauling payloads and the like, Wards clearly favored one above the rest. The publication said that the powerhouse 6.7-liter turbocharged V8 in the Super Duty was the clear winner, despite being the most expensive of the three engines.

The editors chose the Ford over its competitors because of its ridiculous 800 pound-feet of torque, quietness and effortless towing, even though the 6.6-liter turbocharged Duramax V8 in the GMC produced faster 0-60 times in tests. Interestingly enough, Pickuptrucks.com skipped the Powerstroke in the Super Duty in favor of the Duramax Sierra. Given the obsessively thorough testing by Mike Levine and the rest of the Pickuptrucks.com crew, we're a little more inclined to agree with those results. Still, you know what they say about opinions and elbows.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty

[Source: Wards Auto]

Ford Power Stroke wins Ward's diesel shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #194 - Bentley Continental, Lamborghini teaser, Mexico's Mastretta and budget Toyota sports cars

Dan Roth — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Paris Motor Show, Bentley, GMC, Lamborghini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Military

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

It's Episode #194 of the Autoblog Podcast, and Chris, Sam and Dan talk about the 2011 Bentley Continental, what Lamborghini has in store for the Paris Motor Show, Mexico's Mastretta MXT and budget sports cars from Toyota. Two questions cap it at just over an hour this week. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #194 - Bentley Continental, Lamborghini teaser, Mexico's Mastretta and budget Toyota sports cars

In the Autoblog Garage:

Nissan Pathfinder
GMC Sierra 3500 HD
Mitsubishi Outlander

News:

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Shunk

Runtime: 63:00

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #194 - Bentley Continental, Lamborghini teaser, Mexico's Mastretta and budget Toyota sports cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GMC Sierra Denali 3500 debuts at Pickup Shootout

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, GMC, Diesel, Luxury

2011 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 - Click above to enlarge

You want the heaviest of heavy-duty pickup trucks and you want to drive in the lap of luxury. If that sounds like you, have we got some great news to share. The 2011 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 pickup truck is now officially official, and the first such unit is currently being tested in tandem by the heavy haulin' folks at PickupTrucks.com and our very own Sam Abuelsamid.

Best of all, come August 16, you'll know exactly the big bruiser Denali compares with its peers. A total of nine Heavy Duty pickup trucks are currently being compared out in Detroit, including multiple models from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.

While we're waiting for all that data to drop, we can at least consider what differentiates a regular Professional Grade GMC pickup from a Denali: Chrome, and lots of it... from the grille to the door handles to the giant badges; 18- or 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels and an interior swathed in leather and brushed aluminum trim. Other niceties include power-adjustable pedals, a Bose audio system, 12-way power seats, heated steering wheel and heated and cooled seats. Unfortunately, the exterior will only be available in three colors: Black, Stealth Gray and White.

Feel free to brush up on all the details in the original press release from May after the break, and check out the first image of the GMC Sierra Denali 3500 above.

[Sources: GMC, PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading GMC Sierra Denali 3500 debuts at Pickup Shootout

GMC Sierra Denali 3500 debuts at Pickup Shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM reconsidering 4.5-liter Duramax diesel for use in HD pickups

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Diesel

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

As you may have noticed, automobile sales are picking back up after their seemingly perpetual nosedive of the last two years or so. The same holds true for fullsize pickup trucks, and we're hoping that this resurgence will bring back some of the more interesting developments that had to be shelved due to monetary constraints. Chief amongst these wishes are the unfortunately abandoned light-duty diesel engines from Dodge, Ford and General Motors.

With that in mind, our interest is piqued by a report from our friends at PickupTrucks.com suggesting that the previously shelved 4.5-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine from GM may be back on the table, except with an interesting twist. While the oil-burning powerplant was originally intended just for half ton trucks, GM is reportedly now considering offering the mill in all of its fullsize trucks, including the Heavy Duty models.

General Motors indicates that its 4.5-liter diesel V8 engine is "fully developed and ready" to launch with power ratings of over 310 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque. Those figures would just about match what the larger Duramax diesels were putting out about a decade ago and seemingly be plenty for the 2500 class of trucks. What's more, The General told our own Sam Abuelsamid that the still-running fleet of 4.5 diesels is averaging an impressive 25 miles per gallon.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

GM reconsidering 4.5-liter Duramax diesel for use in HD pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GMC, First Drives

2011 GM HD Trucks - Click above for high-res image gallery

Usually whenever we head out to a new vehicle press launch, we have to sit through exhaustive technical and marketing presentations before we get a chance to climb behind the wheel. However, General Motors put us straight into a dual-rear wheel GMC Sierra 3500 crew-cab diesel upon our arrival in Baltimore. On the docket? A 130-mile trek from Baltimore airport to Rocky Gap Lodge in the Allegheny mountains of western Maryland with Vehicle Line Executive Rick Spina sitting shotgun.

We actually appreciated this 'backwards' approach, because it gave us the opportunity to develop some 'gut' impressions of these new trucks even before we got the attendant sales pitch. For a two-hour, mostly highway jaunt, the duallie SLT proved to be a surprisingly amiable companion, but it was just the first of seven different trucks we would drive over the next couple of days. Read on past the jump find out what GM's new heavy duty trucks are like when sampled in a range of real-world conditions.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 GM HD Trucks

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard

First Drive: 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks set new HD standard originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM announces best-in-class towing, payload figures for heavy-duty Silverado, Sierra

Zach Bowman — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:37:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has just announced the hauling capacities for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickups. The new trucks can now pull up to 21,700 pounds in fifth-wheel configuration and lug around 6,635 pounds worth of payload, thereby making them the new best-in class champions. The traditional tow rating sits at 17,000 pounds. What did GM change to give the trucks their new credentials? The company says that it extensively tested the trucks' systems, including the engine, transmission and brakes at the new gross combined vehicle weight and found that the thing could handle the abuse.

Both the Silverado HD and the Sierra HD now come with tougher bed rails, though. GM specified a new high-strength steel that can take more of a beating compared to last year's pieces. The new tow ratings best the next closest competitor, the 2011 Ford F-350, by 1,000 pounds on the conventional towing front and a more modest 100 pounds under fifth-wheel conditions.

How did we ever live in a world where pickup trucks couldn't tow three Bentley Continental GT coupes and a gooseneck car trailer? Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD at Chicago Auto Show

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM announces best-in-class towing, payload figures for heavy-duty Silverado, Sierra

GM announces best-in-class towing, payload figures for heavy-duty Silverado, Sierra originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: New GMC Sierra Denali HD to get the dually treatment

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, GM, GMC, Luxury

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

GMC, the "Professional Grade" truck maker under the General Motors umbrella, isn't finished adding luxe touches to its Heavy Duty series of Sierra pickup trucks. Just yesterday, GMC rolled out a brand-new Denali version of the HD pickem-up truck, but later this year at launch it will be available only as a crew-cab, four-wheel drive, single-rear wheel, three-quarter-ton model.

Before the end of the year, though, GMC will begin spreading the Denali love down its entire line-up of heavy haulers, and PickupTrucks.com is reporting that the dual-rear wheel dually chassis will be included. Naturally, a choice of either the 6.0-liter gasoline-powered V8 or the torque-tastic 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 will be the biggest choice at the time of purchase, followed by the buyers selection of either black, gray or white. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: New GMC Sierra Denali HD to get the dually treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NTEA 2010: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD puts the Heavy in Heavy Duty

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, GM, GMC, Misc. Auto Shows, Diesel

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the first time in its history - and considering that the company has been around for over 100 years, that's significant - GMC decided to make an official appearance at the National Truck Equipment Association show in St. Louis. And the Professional Grade brand brought along the heavies... specifically, the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD.

When the truck hits the market later this year, it will be the first time that GMC has offered a Denali version of its Heavy Duty truck platform. After giving the truck a thorough once (and even twice) over, we have to say that the Denali, even with all of its drilled-out chrome highlights, looks rather subdued and classy in all-black paint. And, though we certainly appreciate the in-your-face attitude of General Motors' two main competitors in the pickup wars, we'd say that understated appearance is a good thing.

Inside, you'll find the expected luxury trimmings, including heated and cooled leather seats and a matching wood-trimmed heated steering wheel, along with some nice details like Denali-specific door sill plates. All that is well and good, but the big news resides under the truck's big black hood: a revised 6.6-liter Duramax V8 diesel engine, which is mated up to a stout Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission.

For those who like to keep track of these thing, which is to say every single person who's actually interested in purchasing one of these earth-moving behemoths, GM's latest Duramax beats out the 2011 Ford Super Duty in the all-important horsepower and torque wars with 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet. Wanna pull a ten-ton load? No problem. That powerplant is also more fuel efficient (by 11 percent) and cleaner than the unit it replaces.

Interestingly, GM representatives tell us that they had a bit of a back-and-forth with the Feds regarding how best to handle the required refilling of the diesel exhaust fluid tank, which won't run dry for about 5,000 miles between fill-ups. It seems that when the truck gets dangerously low on the exhaust treatment, its speed will be capped at 55 miles per hour. If you run out, the computer nannies will keep you to just a four mph crawl so that you'll never be stranded completely. Want more? Check out our gallery of high-res images below and click here for the rest of the details.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

NTEA 2010: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD puts the Heavy in Heavy Duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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