About three years ago, GMC launched the Terrain as its entry-level crossover model positioned right under the Acadia.
Now it’s time for GM’s truck division to shake things up in the Terrain’s range with the presentation of the 2013 model ahead of its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in April.
There are two things you need to know about the 2013 Terrain: the first is that GMC has replaced the current model’s 3.0-liter V6 with a newer 3.6-liter V6 unit, and the second, that it has introduced an upscale Denali variant into the Terrain’s lineup for the very first time.
Beginning with the new 3.6-liter V6 that will be available on both the regular Terrain and the luxed-up Terrain Denali, it produces 301-horsepower and 272 lb.-ft. (369 Nm) of torque, compared to 264hp and 222 lb-ft of the 3.0-liter V6.
Despite the increase in power and torque, GM says that it expects the new Terrain to deliver fuel economy equal to its predecessor (FWD: 17mpg city and 24mpg highway).
The 182hp 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine continues unchanged for the 2013MY and will be offered on the Denali version as well. All-wheel drive is available as an option for both engines.
The Terrain will become the eighth model in GMC’s current lineup to be offered with the upscale Denali trim level.
“Denali is growing fast,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of GMC Marketing. “With seven different models, sales for this brand within a brand increased 79 percent from 2010 to 2011. With this in mind, the decision to create a more-upscale Terrain was an easy one.”
So what does the Denali grade bring to the 2013 Terrain? For starters, there’s an exterior package that adds bespoke 18-inch wheels for the 4-cylinder model and 19-inch for the V6, a chrome grille and satin chrome accents, different headlamp and taillight designs, plus body colored fascias and rocker panels.
Inside, the Denali models feature special soft touch Jet Black leather that lines the seats and door inserts and is contrasted by red accent stitching, which is also present on the dashboard, embossed Denali logos on the seats, mahogany wood trim accents on the dash and the steering wheel, plus eight-way power driver and passenger seat.
The Denali models come as standard with GMC’s new infotainment system featuring a reconfigurable home screen and a programmable power liftgate.
The 2013 GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali will go on sale later this year. Pricing has not yet been announced.
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