GMC 2007 Sierra (36-1)
By Garth W. Cane
GMC's
Sierra is Upscale Inside and Delivers Plenty of Power.
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General
Motor's new Sierra delivers a solid tow rating of 10,500 pounds
(4,763 kg) and a payload capacity of 2,160 pounds (980 kg).
During a ride and drive segment starting in Phoenix Arizona,
I had the opportunity to take several variations of the new
truck on desert roads and interstate highways. The truck comes
in three cab styles, with three different cargo box lengths,
and in trim levels from standard work truck up to the SLT in
both 2WD and 4WD options.
Five different suspension packages provide just the truck that
you need for your particular lifestyle. The Z83 package delivers
a solid smooth ride with monotube shocks and twin-tube rear
shocks. The Z85 delivers enhanced handling and trailer towing
with monotube front and rear shocks. The Z71 delivers enhanced
off-road capability and the Z60 is designed for maximum street
performance on 20-inch wheels. For RVers towing significant
trailers, the Sierra has NHT suspension for maximum capacity
towing. Driver control dynamics are enhanced by wider front
and rear tracks, as well as a new coil-over-shock front suspension
design and rack-and-pinion steering.
General Motor's sophisticated StabiliTrak electronic stability
control system helps prevent roll-overs. This is standard on
crew cab, and available on extended cab models. With a high
capacity brake system and four-channel, four-sensor electronic
brake controls, it provides more precise control of the ABS
system, as well as enhanced traction and yaw stability.
The trucks are powered by a variety of engine types with all
but the 4.3 L possessing Active Fuel Management and variable-valve
timing for better fuel economy. Available engines include the
195 hp 4.3L V-6, which is standard on work trucks and 2WD extended
cab models. The 4.8L 295 hp V8 is standard on 4WD extended cabs
and on work trucks that have a crew cab. The 315 hp 5.3L V8
with Flex Fuel option allows the driver to use up to a blend
of 85 percent ethanol fuel and is available on all models. The
standard style 5.3L V8 is available on crew cab 4WD trucks.
The 6.0L V8 with aluminum block, variable-valve timing and Active
Fuel Management, which is rated at 367 hp, is available on SLE
and SLT extended or crew cab models with the enhanced trailer
package. Exclusively for buyers of the Denali series, the new
6.2L 400 hp engine delivers 400 hp and 417 pounds-feet of torque.
These engines are connected to the Hydra-Matic, electronically
controlled automatic transmission, including the 4L60 four-speed
automatic, the high-capacity 4L70 four-speed automatic, and
the new 4L80 six-speed for the Denali 6.2L engine. This new
transmission delivers a balance of performance and fuel economy.
It also has a tap-up/tap-down capability that allows the driver
to manually select up and down shifts with a button on the column
lever.
The work truck version has standard cloth seats, larger controls
and handles that are easier to use when wearing gloves. The
Sierra cab is more upscale, featuring more spacious storage
and improved comfort and convenience. SLE1 models on regular,
extended and crew cabs have a new 40/20/40 split front bench
seat that features a fold-down armrest and storage compartment.
The SLE2 equipped vehicles have leather seats and add six-way
power adjustments for the driver. SLT models have a luxury-inspired
interior with a unique instrument panel, door panels, larger
capacity storage center console, and distinctive trim. Heated
12-way adjustable seats with six-disc CD/MP3 audio system and
heated windshield washer system come standard on the SLT. Crew
cab SLT models come with rain-sensing windshield wipers and
a rear-seat audio system.
The rear seat on crew cab models is a new stadium-style seating
with a 40/60 split design. It can be folded up to provide additional
loading on the floor. On extended cab models the rear door opens
to 170 degrees to make loading and entry simpler. The Sierra
has a stronger frame and body structure that is designed to
provide increased compatibility with other vehicles, not to
mention roof-mounted head curtain side air bags, which are integrated
to provide better passenger protection. The head curtain side
air bags are available in SLE and SLT models. The Sierra also
comes with factory-installed remote starting, AutoTrac active
transfer case to assist in slippery driving conditions, Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist, and an easier-to-use tire pressure monitoring
system.
All retail models come with the On-Star Generation 7 system,
including a one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound Plan.
This includes the Advanced Crash Notification system that makes
crash data available to emergency services, and can potentially
dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment.
If the air bag is activated, On-Star automatically notifies
an advisor who will check on the occupants, or summon emergency
help if necessary. On-Star can also be used to locate a vehicle
if it is stolen or provide remote door-unlocking service.
At the General Motors proving grounds in Phoenix, we had the
opportunity to use several vehicles to tow horse trailers with
electric brakes loaded to 9,000 pounds. The weight in the trailers
consisted of several sheets of steel fastened to the floor.
This kept the centre of gravity much lower than if we had actually
loaded four horses in the trailers. We used the GMC Sierras,
Chevrolet Silverados, a Ford, a Nissan, and a Dodge Ram. Each
vehicle was equipped with the factory trailer towing package
and a Reese equalizing hitch. The course we used had acceleration
lanes, tight curves, undulating pavement, sudden lane changes,
and a deceleration lane. The GMC and Chevrolet models with the
StabiliTrak system proved to handle the sudden lane changes
without diving or leaning into the corners much easier than
the others, and had plenty of power to accelerate from a dead
stop. The brakes on the GM products did a great job of stopping
the combination of the truck and trailer without fear of overrunning
the stop signs.
During our time at the proving grounds, we saw many accessories
that could be either factory installed or added later by the
dealer. Some of these included a chrome appearance grill, outside
door handles, tow hooks, docking station and portable DVD player,
bed liners, cargo management systems, soft-top tonneau covers,
bed extenders, Cat Back Exhaust systems, sliding tie-down brackets,
and several styles of wheels.
General Motors has a winner for the RV market in both the GMC
Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado. The Sierra is more upscale
than the Silverado, but both will do an admirable job of towing
Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels.
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The Denali Crew Cab leaves you plenty of space in the back to
stretch out your legs.
The Sierra has roof-mounted head curtain side air bags,
which are integrated to provide better passenger protection. |
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