The all-new GMC Canyon has been revealed a day ahead of its official Detroit auto show debut, aiming to set new standards for refinement in the US market’s mid-size truck segment.
Based on the new Chevrolet Colorado that debuted at November’s LA auto show – a car related to our own Holden Colorado ute and Colorado 7, albeit with a different front end borrowed from the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado – the Canyon completes GMC’s three-truck family alongside the Sierra 1500 and Sierra HD.
Employing the same engines as the US-market Colorado, the GMC Canyon will initially offer a 146kW/253Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder and a 224kW/366Nm 3.6-litre V6, with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel to follow next year.
To be offered in three trim levels – base, SLE, and SLT – all will be matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, with base two-wheel-drive 2.5-litre-powered extended-cab variants available with a six-speed manual.
All-paw Canyons will feature the US car maker’s ‘AutoTrac’ automatic four-wheel drive system that uses an electronically controlled transfer case to allow drivers to switch between four modes (2WD, Auto, 4WD HI, or 4WD Lo).
Measuring between 5395mm and 5705mm long depending on specification – an extended cab with a six-foot bed and crew cabs with five and six-foot beds will be available – the GMC Canyon claims a maximum payload of 657kg and a maximum tow rating of 3039kg.
Again incorporating features from the Colorado, the Canyon’s cabin appears refined and upmarket and will offer technology such as OnStar 4G LTE connectivity, built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and Siri Eyes Free for iPhone users. Forward collision alert, lane departure warning and a standard rear-view camera are also expected to reach showroom models.
The GMC Canyon will go on sale in the US later this year following the commencement of production at GM’s Wentzville, Missouri assembly plant in September.
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