GMC SIERRA PICKUP 2019

ST. JOHN’S, NL: Rugged beauty and friendly civility are traits that reflect the very essence of Newfoundland. And it’s easy to find fitting parallels that make it the perfect place to launch a new fourth generation pickup designed to reflect those same qualities. GM’s truck siblings - the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra - have historically packed a potent one-two punch in the pickup market - the Silverado stylishly strong from entry-level up and the Sierra marketed more upscale, sort of a bruiser in a business suit, you might say. The recent 2019 GMC Sierra launch in Newfoundland highlighted segment-busting improvements and upgrades in both form and function with a long list of new driver-assist technologies, new capabilities and new comfortenhancing luxuries which include: • New MultiPro Tailgate with Swiss Army knifelike, six-function versatility - opening, closing and adjusting for easier access, load-stop settings and two-tier storage solutions. • New optional carbon fibre CarbonPro cargo box that is lighter, stronger and more dent, scratch and corrosion resistant. • New Multi-Colour 3X7-inch head-up display reflecting info on the windshield. • New rear camera mirror with variable views that eliminates passenger or cargo vision obstruction. The new 2019 Sierra is taller and larger in almost every dimension yet somehow manages to weigh in at up to 360 pounds (163 kg) less than its predecessor, even with the above added content. Manufacturers will sometimes boast of even the slightest size increase, but pushing the wheels to the corners results in a wheelbase stretch that significantly enhances interior space. The crew cab model, for example, adds a substantial 76 mm (three in.) of additional rear legroom. The spacious second row also benefits from taller seating positions, a lower step-in height, larger door openings, underseat bins, even extra storage compartments behind innovative swing-out seatbacks. Size and space upgrades carry over behind the passenger cabin as well, with the Sierra boasting best-in-class cargo volume ratings for 2019. The Sierra Denali’s 5-ft. 8-in. box now holds 1,781 litres, with compact wall construction creating a 170 mm (seven in) wider bed floor that is also 50 per cent stronger, thanks to high-grade steel construction. Cargo bed functionality has been tweaked with better LED box lighting, a new available 120V AC outlet, 12 heavy-duty tie-downs now rated at 227 kg (500 lb) per corner and improved box access for loading via larger rear CornerStep openings.

GMC pushes the payload boundaries this year with the Sierra-exclusive, industry-first CarbonPro carbon fibre cargo box, weighing in at 28 kg (62 lb) less than the normal steel box. And, since cargo-hauling challenges extend beyond the box, a new collection of trailer techs include a ProGrade Trailering System and Trailering App with maintenance reminders, a pre-departure checklist, trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring, along with a trailer light test and electrical diagnostics program. Other towing features include a camera-assisted Hitch Guidance, an auto electric park brake and trailer theft detection through OnStar. The 2019 Sierra comes in a dizzying array of choices - in regular cab, double cab and crew cab configurations with three cargo box sizes, in 2WD and 4WD, and harnessing six different powertrains with varying payload, weight and tow ratings. The six engine choices include some carryover 4.3-litre and 5.3-litre V8s with six-speed transmissions. A new 2.7-litre inline fourcylinder turbo with eight-speed transmission and 3.0-litre turbo inline six-cylinder diesel engine with a 10-speed transmission will come on stream later. But the launch in Newfoundland featured the newest 5.3-litre V8 with eight-speed automatic and the new, most powerful 6.2-litre V8 with a 10-speed auto tranny. Both new engines feature start/stop systems and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) that improves on the previous AFM cylinder de-activation system. Depending on load, DFM enables 17 different cylinder-firing patterns for optimal power and fuel efficiency. The 6.2-litre V8 that I spent most of my driving time with makes a massive 420 hp and 460 lb/ft of strong, linear power and earns a tow rating of up to 5,488 kg (12,100 lb). The Sierra lineup comes in six trim levels although the launch concentrated on two of the premium offerings - the top-of-the-line Denali and the off-road oriented new AT4 model, more of a new sub-brand than a mere trim level. The elegant chrome-trimmed Denali comes standard with almost every feature mentioned earlier and has been loaded with leather and luxuries to add ultimate upscale ambiance to this purposeful hauler. The AT4 adds a two-inch lift kit, blackedout or body-coloured trims, mud terrain-rated tires, a two-speed transfer case, red recovery hooks and other off-road cues and capabilities. GMC boasts a larger segment share here in Canada than in any other global market and Sierra has been GM’s best-selling nameplate for the past nine years. With new 2019 Sierra’s rolling of the line since late July, even GM’s Oshawa plant facilities have been involved with final assembly of the new trucks. And, as this Canadian international launch demonstrated, the new Denali and AT4 models tested in Newfoundland proved to be exemplary new showcases of the 2019 GMC Sierra’s latest technologies and innovative features.