Autoblog

2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra debut all-new designs, three new engines

Zach Bowman — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:49:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Off-Road

General Motors has finally dropped the curtain on the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra. Both trucks have undergone substantial revisions with updated versions of the company's 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 engines. In a shot across the bows of both Ford and Chrysler, GM says it won't use a V6 engine adapted from passenger car applications. Instead, it developed the 4.3-liter engine based on its proven truck-duty architecture.

All three mills will boast direct injection fuel systems as well as a new cylinder head design. Combined with a revised piston, the new engines feature a smaller combustion chamber with a compression ratio of 11:1 or higher depending on the application. Cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing are all part of the recipe, and each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with auto grade breaking. So far, no fuel economy or horsepower figures have been released, though GM says the new engines will best their predecessors in both areas.

Outside, the trucks feature a number of enhancements to reduce drag and wind noise, and GM claims both the Silverado and Sierra will offer buyers some of the quietest cabins in the class. Extended cab models now feature front-hinged rear doors to allow easier access to the back passenger area, and Crew Cab buyers can now select between a five-foot, eight-inch bed or a six-foot, six-inch bed. Buyers with a mind toward going off road will also rejoice in the return of the Z71 package, complete with Rancho shocks, front tow hooks and additional under-body protection.

Indoors, both trucks now boast completely new interiors with a focus on soft-touch materials. Drivers are now met with a gauge cluster that features a 4.2-inch color information display, and the new trucks can be had with up to five USB ports, four 12-volt outlets and one SD card slot. The option sheet also features the IntelliLink connectivity system, displayed through a high-definition eight-inch color touchscreen interface.

In addition, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will be available with safety add-ons like Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and the Driver Alert Seat, which we first saw on the Cadillac XTS. Check out the full press releases below for more information.

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra debut all-new designs, three new engines

2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra debut all-new designs, three new engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 GMC Sierra Denali 2500

Zach Bowman — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, GMC, Luxury

Big Diesel Power With A Touch Of Class

We're not exactly sure when it happened, but pickup trucks have long since elevated themselves beyond mere tools of the trade. Once bare-bones, utilitarian hardware with more capability than comfort, the truck has evolved into a status symbol. Move out of any urban center and into the surrounding sprawl, and lifted, diesel-chugging, three-quarter-ton pickups are fairly commonplace nowadays. And we're not just talking about rides parked outside work sites, mind you. These days, you're every bit as likely to see them parked outside the local Panera.

As you might expect, automakers are happily feeding the fire, offering a range of trucks that few will use to farm or do backbreaking labor, despite monikers that suggest otherwise. Names like King Ranch and Laramie have fed buyers a line of very profitable trucks loaded with leather-swaddled cabins and every imaginable creature comfort. General Motors is no stranger to this approach, as its GMC Denali line now extends to its monster-sized pickups. We slid behind the wheel of the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 4WD Crew Cab to see just how the big gilded beast fits into America's pickup truck landscape.

Continue reading 2011 GMC Sierra Denali 2500

2011 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:57:00 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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Pickup wars begin with debut of 2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra

John Neff — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 22:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, GMC, Nissan, Toyota

So they're here, what do you think?

click on any image to enlarge

This morning marked what could be a monumental moment in the turnaround of General Motors. The world's largest automaker officially introduced its new GMT900 pickups, the 2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. After a nice buzz had been built up over early spy shots and strategically released information, the two trucks have arrived and GM is hoping for a positive reaction from consumers when they go on sale later this year. And it appears as if GM's new trucks have sent at least some of their competition back to the drawing board.

For its part, Ford has decided on what front it will fight the new GMT900s, and that's maximum tow rating. In addition to announcing the 2007 F-150 will have its price slashed by up to $1,400, the Blue Oval announced today that the truck's maximum tow rating will be increased to 10,500 lbs., which matches that of the GMT900 pickups from GM. The 2006 Dodge Ram 1500, meanwhile, can tow up to 8,850 lbs. according to its website, though any changes to the truck for 2007 have yet to be announced. The 2006 Nissan Titan tops the Dodge with a max tow rating of 9,500 lbs., but both obviously now fall short of the competition from GM and Ford. And remember that 10,000 maximum tow rating that Toyota announced for its upcoming Tundra? Doesn't sound too intimidating anymore.

Why has a pickup's maximum tow rating become so important? One reason might be that automakers realize higher gas prices are beginning to scare away truck customers who aren't planning to use their pickups to do hardcore work like towing and hauling. As the pool of potential truck consumers shrinks, those left will be the blue-collar customers that consider a truck's tow rating more important than its choice of seat fabric.

So GM has claimed first strike and Ford has bitten back. Who knows which truckmaker will make the next move, but you can bet it will be a big one.

(Follow the jump for all of GM's official pics of the new GMT900s in all their high resolution glory)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Pickup wars begin with debut of 2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra

Pickup wars begin with debut of 2007 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Aug 2006 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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