Is this GM’s Answer to The Power Wagon?
The eternal truck wars with its latest
offering, the ‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain. Now before you start bantering
with your buddy with blind brand-loyalty logic, take a look at what the ‘15 GMC
Sierra HD All Terrain has to offer. It will be available in 2500HD and 3500HD
double- and crew-cab models in either SLE or SLT trims. Since going off-road
into the unknown is pretty common among work trucks today, the GMC Sierra HD
All Terrain is only available as a 4x4 with an electronically controlled
T-case. To soak up the rough dirt roads, the Z71 package features a set of
Rancho twin-tube shocks, hill descent control, and even a skid-plate to keep
the rocks away from vital engine parts.
While the ‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain
doesn’t have quite the off-road prowess of a modern Ram Power Wagon, it is
however offered with an optional 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel V-8 engine for those
who’d rather kick up dust with the power of compression ignition under their
hood. However, a 6.0L gasoline engine is standard in case you want the roar of
a naturally aspirated gasser V-8.
Exterior touches include a cerhrome
surround on the grille, exterior graphics, aluminum underbody shields, and
unique 18-inch six-spoke chrome cast-aluminum wheels. Chrome 20-inch aluminum
wheels are optional on 2500HD, while 3500HD models include adjustable outside
camper mirrors with a sleek chrome cap. A set of LED-signature headlamps are
retained on the ‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain, while a set of body-colored
bumpers gives it a meaner overall appearance. If body-colored bumpers aren’t
your cup of whiskey, you can also opt for chrome bumpers for a mild low-key
appearance.
Exterior
touches include a cerhrome surround on the grille, exterior graphics, aluminum
underbody shields, and unique 18-inch six-spoke chrome cast-aluminum wheels.
Creature comforts inside revolve around a
carbon fiber-inspired theme that GMC says distinguishes the All-Terrain from
other models and include the All-Terrain logo on the instrument cluster. We
won’t bore you with details on how much technology is packed to the hilt on the
‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain, but suffice it to say that it can link to your
phone and read your text messages to you while you cruise down the road. It
also has a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to keep you and your passengers connected to
the web even while at a remote job site.
We
won’t bore you with details on how much technology is packed to the hilt on the
‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain, but suffice it to say that it can link to your
phone and read your text messages to you while you cruise down the road.
“Whiie the ‘15 gmc sierra hd all terrain
doesn’t have quite the off-road prowess of a modern ram power wagon, it is
however offered with an optional 6.6l duramax turbodiesel v-8 engine."
Speaking of remote job sites, the ‘15 GMC
Sierra HD line-up includes a Corner Step rear bumper for easy access to tools
or materials, while a lockable EZ-Lift-and-Lower tailgate and standard upper
tie-downs make cargo handling a breeze.
Since the ‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain is
a legitimate tow rig and not just a one trick pony, Stabili Trak with Trailer
Sway Control comes standard on all models. They also feature integrated cruise
control, as well as automatic grade braking and diesel exhaust braking to
tackle the steepest grades imaginable while keeping the trailer under control,
resulting in reduced brake wear on grades. Since pulling up a long, steep grade
while towing a trailer can tax power, the ‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain
features enhanced cooling airflow, which enables the 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel
or 6.0L gas engine to stay cool even pulling heavy loads in high ambient
temperatures.
One thing that seems pretty awesome to us
are the new heated and power-adjustable trailering mirrors offered on the SLE
and SLT All Terrain models that include segment-first backup lamps. These
auxiliary back-up lamps are integrated into each mirror to enhance trailer
visibility when backing up and feature an amber auxiliary clearance lamp. The
SLE trailering mirror is black and can be extended and folded manually, while
the SLT/Denali mirror has a chrome cap and adds a power-folding feature.
On the safety end of the spectrum, the ‘15
GMC Sierra HD All Terrain offers segment-exclusive safety features such as
forward collision alert, lane departure warning with an active safety seat (it
gives your butt a quick buzz to warn you of any danger nearby), and front and
rear park assist. Head-curtain and seat-mounted side airbags are standard on
2500HD and available on 3500HD models.
So now that you know what the ’15 GMC
Sierra HD All Terrain has up its rolled up sleeves, is it really GMC’s answer
to the Ram Power Wagon? We think the answer is a resounding no, but the simple
fact that this is available with a 6.6L Duramax means it definitely has the
potential to morph into a mean off-road machine.
The ‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain goes on
sale in the summer of 2014.
The
‘15 GMC Sierra HD All Terrain goes on sale in the summer of 2014.
