GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate: an American dream in pickup truck form

The enviable American pickup truck market is divided into three categories. Compacts are models that in Brazil would be considered large (in the absence of larger models), such as the Chevrolet Colorado – equivalent to our S10 – and the Toyota Tacoma. The “light duty” ones are a step above and include famous names such as Ford F-150Dodge Ram e Chevrolet Silverado. Finally, the “heavy duty” with the expanded versions of the Dodge Ram 2500, Silverado HD 2500 and Ford F-250, all with the option of even larger bodies.

The GMC Sierra 1500 is classified as “light duty”, and has been very successful thanks to the Denali line, with an exquisite finish and the characteristic (and huge) chrome front grille, perfect for blinding other people’s rear-view mirrors. To make it even more exclusive, GMC has just launched the Denali Ultimate series, packed with equipment and comfort items.

One of them is the so-called Tri-Mode Power Steps, an electrically operated step with three positions: retracted, extended outwards (for boarding and disembarking passengers) and retracted backwards, to allow easy access to the front part of the bucket. Another is the Magnetic Ride Control suspension, with sensors that read the surface in milliseconds, transmitting the information to the electronically controlled shock absorbers, as the situation requires.

Inside, there are two eight-inch multifunction units, one in the center of the instrument panel, and the other in the central panel. Both screens can display navigation, audio and car operating data. The car’s head unit can function as a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and there is full wireless integration with smartphones and tablets – as well as no less than four USB ports! The front seats have heating, ventilation and 12 types of electrical adjustments, as do the pedals, and the premium sound is from Bose.

The Sierra Denali Ultimate is offered with two types of bucket, with volumes ranging from 1,512 liters to 1,727 liters. The “basic” engine is a 5.3-liter V8 with direct injection and variable control, 360 horsepower and 53 mkgf of torque, but there is the option of the massive 6.2-liter V8 with 426 horsepower and 63.6 mkgf. The two engines are integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive.

With so many attractions, it is far from cheap. Prices have not yet been released, but it is estimated to be around US$60,000 – just to compare, the starting price of the Chevy Colorado (equivalent to the S10) is US$20,000.

READ MORE:

– Ten pickup trucks that changed the world

– Impressions: Ford F-150

– Comparison: Strada x Duster Oroch x S10