Wednesday, May 19, 2010

GMC Sierra: BIGGER & BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE!!





GMC Sierra HD Leads the Segment in Towing and Payload Ratings


Sierra HD delivers 21,700 pounds towing and 6,635 pounds payload

2010-05-18



DETROIT  GMC announced today that the new 2011 GMC Sierra heavy-duty

pickups have increased towing and payload ratings through ongoing

development and testing, making them the most capable and powerful

heavy-duty pickups in the segment. The ratings have been increased to

21,700 pounds of towing and 6,635 pounds of payload.

When developing the Sierra HD our focus has consistently been to deliver

customers the most capable heavy-duty trucks in the market, along with

premium features and styling that distinguish GMC amongst the

competition, said Rick Spina, GM Full-size Truck global vehicle line

executive. Our first set of capability tests confirmed that the team had

exceeded the payload and towing targets by a significant margin. Ongoing

testing demonstrated a clear opportunity to increase the true capabilities

of these trucks.

The GMC Sierra HD engineering team was able to achieve the increase in

towing capacity to 21,700 by putting the Sierra HD through a wide variety

of tests over various terrains, grades and weather conditions. Extensive

design and lab analysis, climatic wind tunnel testing, and actual on-road

extreme ride and handling testing methods were all used to confirm stable

handling and performance of the powertrain, drivetrain and brake

components at maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR). The GCWR is

increased to 29,200 pounds.

To achieve the increased payload capacity, engineers used higher strength

steel for the cargo box sills. The team conducted a significant amount of

testing where maximum payloads tested the stronger cargo box and rear axle

components. The maximum payload rating has been increased to 6,635 pounds.



We encourage consumers to test drive the Sierra HD against the

competition, said Spina. Based on our test results, we are confident our

HDs will prove to be the best choice for real-world towing and hauling

needs.
For the first time ever, GMC will be offering the exclusive Denali line in

our heavy-duty pickups with the Sierra Denali 2500 and 3500 HDs. The

Denali version is distinguished by its iconic four-bar, chrome grille with

round air inlets, along with body-color bumpers, chrome door handles,

chrome accents and and 17- (Dually), 18- and 20-inch polished forged

aluminum wheels.

The GMC Sierra HD is the segment leader in diesel horsepower and torque

(397hp, 765

lb-ft), conventional towing (17,000 lbs.), 5th-wheel towing (21,700 lbs.),

payload (6,635 lbs.) and maximum GCWR (29,100 lbs.). Production for the

Sierra HD begins next week at Flint Assembly in Flint, MI and customers

can expect to start seeing the heavy-duty trucks on dealer lots shortly

thereafter.





?11 Sierra HD

?10 Ram HD *

? 11 Ford F-350

Max. Horsepower

397 hp.

350 hp.

390 hp.

Max. Torque

765 lb-ft

650 lb-ft

735 lb-ft

Max. Conventional towing

17,000 lbs.

12,000 lbs.

16,000 lbs.

Max. Fifth-wheel towing

21,700 lbs.

18,500 lbs.

21,600 lbs.

Max GCWR

29,200 lbs.

25,400 lbs.

29,100 lbs.

Max. Payload capacity

6,635 lbs.

5,130 lbs.

6,520 lbs.