GMC Shows More of its Detroit-Bound Sierra All Terrain HD Concept

We first reported on the new GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept in mid-December, but since then, General Motors has released a slew of new photos. The updated gallery includes the first photos of the design study's interior that has been spruced up with higher quality and more luxurious materials than the standard Sierra, upon which it is based.

Set to debut at next week's North American International Auto Show, GMC says the concept model is an exploration of heavy-duty truck capability combined with greater off-road versatility. Even if the Sierra All Terrain HD Concept doesn't make it as is onto the road, chances are that it will inspire a future production version. Full HD gallery after the break.

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GM Issues Separate Recalls on Cadillac CTS and Escalade, and Chevy and GMC Trucks

General Motors is recalling close to 100,000 vehicles in two separate campaigns. In a posting with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], GM said the first recall affects almost 96,000 Cadillac CTS sedans from the 2005-2007 model years over concerns that some of the vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the passenger seat may break the connection. The company said that if this occurs, the sensor may not detect the presence of a front seat passenger and will disable the air bag.

Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge, however, GM has yet to provide an owner notification schedule for the CTS recall.

The second recall from GM concerns approximately 1,260 Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado 1500s, and GMC Sierra 1500s, all from the 2011 model year. These trucks may have a faulty rear-axle cross pin, which could fracture and become displaced within the axle.

GM said that if the pin shifts out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock, in which case, the driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.

The company added that this safety recall is expected to begin during January 2011.

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GMC Previews Sierra All Terrain HD Concept Ahead of Detroit Show

General Motors will be presenting an ultra-tough concept study based on the four-door 2011 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck at the rapidly approaching Detroit Motor Show in mid-January. The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD study is highlighted by its rough n' tough exterior design and enhanced all-road capability.

Shorter in overall length than production Sierra HD models, the concept boasts a unique five-foot, eight-inch Crew Cab/short box body configuration with the wheels pushed to corners of the vehicle.

It also features a wider, 73-inch (1,853 mm) track for greater stability and approximately 3 inches (76 mm) greater ground clearance for a total of 21.1 inches (536 mm) at the rockers and 11.8 inches (300 mm) at the skid plates.

To improve its off-road prowess, GMC retuned and upgraded the suspension with specialized Fox off-road shocks, while the All Terrain HD also features electronic disconnection of the front stabilizer bar at the push of a button. The 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 35-inch-tall BFGoodrich mud terrain tires and the full composite underbody protection that shields the transmission, drivetrain, fuel tank, exhaust system and axle differentials, round off the package.

Motivation comes from GM's new production 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 that delivers 397 horsepower and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm), and is matched to a six-speed auto.

The concept also features four-wheel drive, with automatic locking front and rear differentials, and 14-inch, four-wheel disc brake system from the production Sierra HD.

General Motors did not say if it has plans to develop a production version of the concept, but given that it is based on the 2011 Sierra HD, we wouldn't be surprised if the automaker launched a similarly flavored variant in the near future.

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GMC Updates Sierra Lineup, Adds More Denali Variants

GMC's Denali-badged vehicles - Denali meaning "the high one", referencing Mt. McKinley - have always been the Cadillacs of trucks (except for Escalades, which are actually Cadillac trucks).

Sitting somewhere just south of Premium Luxury, Denalis have always provided buyers with well-equipped, more luxurious versions of GMC's regular lineup. For 2011 the General will be releasing the Sierra Denali HD based on the GMC 2500 (3/4 ton) and 3500 (1-ton) Heavy Duty models.

Available engines include GM's 6.0 liter gasoline-propelled Vortec (standard) and the revised Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel with 397 horsepower / 765 lb-ft of twist moving through an Allison 1000 six-speed transmission (optional). That Duramax is also B20 biodiesel compatible, which is a step in the right direction.

Possible layouts for the Denali HD 2500 and 3500 include crew cab, 4WD, and 2WD versions. With the 3500, the Denali package can be had with either standard or dually rear-wheel configurations, and with standard (6' 6") and "dually long box" (8') beds.

GMC product marketing director Lisa Hutchinson says, "We received such an overwhelming response to the new Sierra Denali 2500HD, that we worked quickly and decided to extend the model into the 3500HD series so those GMC buyers can also benefit from blending capability with premium features and styling."

Said premium styling includes the chrome detailing, the Denali hole-filled grille, and color-matched bumpers. As for what's available inside, there's heated/cooled seating, a heated steering wheel, Bose sound system, and aluminum trim. Exterior colors are limited to black, gray, and white.

Cadillac's Escalade may be all fun and good for the moms (and rap stars) out there, but does the Standard of the World offer something that can tow a moon?

I thought not.

By Phil Alex