Chevrolet recently unveiled the 2019 Silverado at the North American International Auto Show and now it’s time for the GMC Sierra to step into the spotlight.
Automotive News is reporting the truck will be unveiled on March 1st at an event in Detroit. Little is known about the event but the report indicates GMC will also take the wraps off the all-new Sierra Denali.
The decision to unveil the Sierra Denali alongside the standard model isn’t too surprising as Denali sales hit an all-time high in 2017. 29 percent of GMC sales were from Denali models and the mix climbs as high as 63 percent on the Yukon XL. The strength of the Denali lineup has pushed the average transaction price for new GMC vehicles up to $43,800 which is nearly $11,000 more than a decade ago.
GMC has been tight-lipped about the redesigned Sierra but the company recently revealed the model will have “more differentiation than ever before to appeal to premium truck buyers.”
Spy photos have shown the truck will feature an all-new front fascia with a prominent grille, vertical fog lights, and distinctive headlights. The model also appears to have more conservative styling than the Silverado but we’ll find out more next month.
While the two trucks will be further differentiated, they’ll still have plenty in common. As a result, we can expect the Sierra to be about 1.6 inches (41 mm) longer than its predecessor and have a wheelbase that has grown by up to 3.9 inches (100 mm). The truck could also weigh up to 450 pounds (204 kg) less thanks to the use high-strength steel and aluminum. The latter material will likely be used on the doors, hood, and tailgate.
Powertrain options will also be shared with the Silverado so we can expect 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8 engines with a Dynamic Fuel Management system which can deactivate multiple cylinders to improve fuel efficiency. There should also be a new 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel six-cylinder engine which is paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Photo Renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes
