The newest GMC Sierra has just been revealed. It has the first carbon fibre pickup box, along with a new innovative tailgate. It gets more powerful, more efficient, and adds more tech.
While the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado have long been nearly identical, GMC has worked to set the new Sierra apart from its stablemate. That's obvious as soon as you look at the truck. The Sierra has a massive grille that's visually divided from the rest of the nose and the C-shaped LED running lights. That's a sharp contrast to the Silverado's nose, where the shorter grille wraps into the headlights and fenders. The Sierra has new body lines running from the fenders to the bed that again have a different look than the Silverado. They're still related, but you won't get them confused in the parking lot.
The new truck is larger than before 100 mm longer in the wheelbase and 41 mm longer overall. That gives more room for cargo and passengers, including 76mm more legroom for rear-seat passengers. Despite that, the new trucks are lighter. With the new CarbonPro carbon bed, the truck is 163 kg lighter than the old model.
Inside, the Sierra adds refinement and ergonomic improvements. There is a higher seating position for a better view. It uses large, easy to operate controls which have been designed for intuitive interaction. Denali models add exclusive large-grain premium leather and open-pore wood trim.
The 2019 Sierra introduces a new MultiPro tailgate that GMC calls the most innovative tailgate ever. It has a pivot in the centre that lets it fold down perpendicular to the ground to ease loading, or straight up to keep longer items in place. It has an integrated low step with a handle in the bedsides. It has six positions that make for easier second-tier plywood loading, adds load stop solutions, works as a standing workstation, and allows easier cargo access. GMC says that they have done more testing on that tailgate than any other in the company's history. It's standard on Denali and SLT.
The cargo box offers best in class space, at 1,784L on short-bed trucks. The new bed is 178 mm longer, and the short-bed Sierra offers more space than long-bed competitors. It has more tie-downs and a 110-volt power outlet. The standard bed is a new steel alloy with more strength, but later this year the real bed trick arrives.
Later this year, a new and industry-first carbon fibre bed will arrive, exclusive to GMC and only on Denali. It replaces the inner panels and floor with a carbon composite that offers increase scratch and corrosion resistance. It also saves 28 kg from the curb weight of the pickup, which also gets aluminum doors, hood and tailgate.
Increasing capability, the Sierra adds a new ProGrade Trailering System. It includes a lighting test and pre-departure checklist through a smartphone app, along with trailer maintenance reminders, electrical diagnostics, tire pressure and temperature monitoring. The Sierra also offers hitch guidance with camera view and automatic park brake. A trailer-mount HD camera is available to add to the driver assistance features. Trailer Theft Detection uses OnStar to alert the driver if the trailer has been detached without permission.
Other new tech includes a full-colour head-up display. It's the first full-size trick to offer that feature. GM's Rear Camera Mirror that gives a high-definition few from a camera mounted behind the cab is available. Blind spot alerts, pedestrian detection, and low-speed forward braking are available.
The Sierra will get the same 6.2L and 5.3L V8s as the Silverado, along with a new 3.0L inline-six diesel. The 6.2L and diesel get a 10-speed automatic transmission. The two gas engines add new dynamic fuel management that will let them run on as few as just one cylinder to save gas. GMC says to expect more engine news later.
The 2019 GMC Sierra arrives this fall, but GMC says to expect more information at the New York Auto Show at the end of this month.
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