By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

We've discussed the relative importance of GMC products in Canada before, but essentially, that division does buckets more business relative to sister Chevrolet than down in the US. Sierra outsells Silverado by a wide margin in Canada while south of the border, about nine Chevy's are sold to every GMC.

That helps explain why details about the new 2014 Sierra Denali, GMC's full-lux pickup, are pretty important. Perhaps the most intriguing are the estimated power levels from the 6.2-litre V8, which GM says 420 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. And much like the 2014 Corvette Stingray, there's a very good chance that those will be raised even higher after going through its official SAE testing. These new-generation pushrod V8s all feature direct injection and variable valve timing to reach these high levels, along with active fuel management that can shut off half of the engine's cylinders when they aren't needed.

Perhaps the most interesting thing is that for the first time the Denali will share its engines with the rest of the Sierra line. That means 'base' Denali models will also use the 355-horsepower 5.3-litre V8 with the 6.2 as an option. Previously, Sierra Denalis were the only vehicles outside of Cadillac that had access to the old 6.2, which meant there were genuine performance reasons to buy one rather than just the interior and exterior upgrades.

For 2014, the Sierra Denali gets things like projector headlights, a unique chrome grille, chrome exhaust tip and 20-inch wheels, along with Denali badges all over the place. The interior gets heated-and-cooled leather seats, plus more badges on the heated steering wheel, sill plate, seats and the "real" aluminum trim. Tech geeks will appreciate the exclusive eight-inch gauge-cluster-mounted screen that's completely customizable, in addition to the eight-inch Colour Touch radio with standard navigation.

Options are limited to an off-road package with Rancho shocks, hill-decent control and more, and a driver alert package with lane-departure warning, forward collision alert and the vibrating 'safety' seat system found in the Cadillac XTS.

With increased competiton from high-lux pickup rivals from Ford, Ram, Toyota and now Chevrolet with its new High Country trim, has GMC done enough to keep the Denali's appeal? Do you agree with Denali using the same engines as regular Sierras or should it have an exclusive powerplant to help explain some of the additional cost? Let us know in the comments.

 By Steve Mertl for MSN Autos

The Vancouver Police Department is thanking modern automotive technology for helping save the lives of two of their own, one of them a police-dog named Shack.

Shack and his handler, Const. Dan Ames, were responding to a 911 call when their GMC Yukon was involved in a major collision near Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside earlier this week that saw both vehicles seriously damaged.

The truck’s airbags helped protect Ames, who suffered minor injuries. But Hash, who was potentially vulnerable inside his built-in steel dog kennel, also got the benefit of the airbag technology we take for granted thanks to upgrades to the department’s fleet of K9 vehicles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By John LeBlanc for MSN Autos Canada

Let’s open up this discussion with some facts. The top three, full-size pickup truck sellers in Canada last year were the same trio that have been at the top since, well, forever: Detroit’s Ford, General Motors’ Chevrolet and GMC brands and Fiat’s Ram (nee Dodge). In total, they sold 254,268 full-size pickups, with the Ford F-Series leading the way with over 100,000 sold — a record. When you compare those domestic brand truck sales numbers with the respective sales numbers for the Toyota Tundra (7,241) and Nissan Titan (3,499), you have to wonder why the pair of Japanese brands continue to take it on the chin from the always-dominant Detroit Three. And based on recent news, it seems like both Toyota and Nissan aren’t giving up.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

While the lifespan of a car or crossover might be five or six years between generations, for full-size pickups, those major milestones can be measured in decades. The current Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra - codenamed GMT900 - were revealed way back in 2003, and The General doesn't plan for their replacements to hit the road for at least another year.

But GM did show off the heavily redesigned 2014 Silverado and Sierra today ahead of a full reveal at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this coming January. 

The new trucks feature styling that's considerably more evolutionary than revolutionary, with bigger grilles and mirrors, and the use of LED accent lights on the Sierra. However, apparently GM has put these trucks through the aerodynamic wringer and every facet of the design has been engineered to be more efficient. Some new neat touches include the permanent 'corner' step built into the rear bumpers - a feature that originated on the dearly departed Chevrolet Avalanche - along with LED accent lights in the bed.

Mechanically, the trucks will use three versions of GM's new EcoTec3 engine family: a 4.3-litre six-cylinder, and a pair of V8s in 5.3- and 6.2-litres respectively. All feature direct injection, variable valve timing and the ability to shut off one bank of cylinders when cruising to save fuel. The only transmission offered will be a six-speed automatic.

Inside, the cabin is supposed to use softer materials but still retain usability as a truck, meaning the major controls were designed to be used with work gloves on. From the photos provided, we can see a colour display between the main gauges along with a bigger eight-inch touch screen, presumably available in high-end models. 

General Motors will presumably be revealing more specific information about horsepower, torque, fuel economy and pricing at the NAIAS. We'll keep you updated when more news breaks.

So what do you think? Has GM gone far enough with their new pickups? Are the people at Ford and Ram holding celebrations now? Let us know in the comments.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

If you're involved in the public relations, promotions or journalism side of the car business in Canada, chances are you've met Garry Sowerby. The humble Haligonian (by way of Moncton, NB) made his name by breaking four world records for endurance driving in the 1980s and '90s, including two successful around-the-world odysseys. His first record came with co-driver Ken Langley in the 1980 Volvo 245 DL Wagon above nicknamed Red Cloud, the last as part of a three-member team based out of England that broke the record again using a 1997 Vauxhall Frontera (what we got as an Isuzu Rodeo.)

Perhaps Sowerby's most famous, though, is record set for the Fastest Transit of the Americas, travelling from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in a 1988 GMC Sierra. Tim Cahill, a US-based writer for Rolling Stone magazine penned a book afterward called Road Fever that should be on every car-nut's reading list.

Anyway, Sowerby's getting some recognition for his efforts 25 years after his adventures with Cahill by being inducted into the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame in Petitcodiac, NB under the Road Challenge category, something very fitting for this true gentleman.

Congrats, Garry!

By Mike Colias, AutoWeek

General Motors is considering a diesel engine for light-duty versions of its redesigned full-sized pickups.

GM North America President Mark Reuss said in an interview that a diesel is among the options for the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, which are due in showrooms next spring.

Chrysler Group recently said it is considering a diesel for its light-duty Ram. Ford Motor Co. has no plans for a light-duty diesel, a spokesman said, adding that Ford's EcoBoost V6 engine is a less expensive option to save fuel and will be "our diesel fighter."

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

It wasn't long after the Chevrolet Avalanche was introduced in 2002 that I had one as a press vehicle - still one of my first. The 'truck' garnered lots of attention for its flecked-grey flying buttresses between the cab and short bed and the weird material used as lower-body cladding, but otherwise seemed like a great proposition. I remember trying out the mid-gate in our underground parking garage, which required folding the rear seats flat first. I also remember my very patient girlfriend (now wife) helping me remove and then reinstall the three-part hard tonneau cover with much frustration and blue language. And later that week served perfectly as transport for our first foosball table home from Costco after the impulse buys of all impulse buys.

Anyway, the early '00s were a time of optimism for strange product packaging at GM. Besides the Avalanche and its Cadillac (?) version, the Escalade EXT, Pontiac was still offering the camping tent option on the Pontiac Aztek, and GMC Envoy XUV with its sliding glass tailgate would debut (and die) in 2004. Even Subaru got into the game with its Baja pickup, which was developed while under GM's ownership.

The Avalanche and EXT were the only ones to not only survive but hit a second generation (2007). However, sales peaked in 2003 at over 93,000 units and last year were probably a fifth of that.

Needless to say, Chevrolet is killing the Avalanche, but not without going out 'in style.' The final production models will be Black Diamond editions with body-coloured trim, lower prices and distinctive badges. 

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

The Chevorlet Equinox and GMC Terrain are incredibly popular with buyers, so much so that even with three shifts at the plant in Ingersoll and an extra assembly line in Oshawa buyers are having a hard time finding one.

Well, GMC isn't making the situation any easier. It will be introducing a full-on Denali trim to the Terrain sometime later this year, which will also include a new engine. Like the Sierra, Yukon and Acadia models that already offer them, the Terrain Denali will be a leather-lined, chrome-dripping ultra-lux experience. All of the technologies available on lesser trim levels - including the lane-departure warning and front collision avoidance systems - will come standard.

The Terrain Denali will also offer GM's corporate 301-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 instead of the old 260-horse 3.0-litre; the 181-horsepower 2.4 is still the 'base' engine in Denali trim. There's no word whether the 3.6 will trickle down to lesser Terrain trims or if that will be exclusive to the range-topping Denali.

GMC should reveal it at the upcoming New York International Auto Show in early April; we will let you know more information about Canadian pricing and availability when we get it.

By AutoWeek

Membership warehouse retailer Costco has launched a deal with General Motors allowing its members to buy certain Chevrolet and GMC trucks through select franchised new-car dealers at a "preferred price"--generally equivalent to the price that the automaker offers its suppliers' employees.

Rick Borg, vice president of the Costco Auto Program, on Tuesday said the club expects its members to buy more than 5,000 new Chevrolet and GMC trucks under the program. The program runs through Jan. 3.

Costco also is giving a $500 Costco Cash Card to members who participate in the program.

By Dale Jewett, AutoWeek

General Motors will equip the 2013 models of its large crossovers--the Chevrolet Traverse, the Buick Enclave and the GMC Acadia--with a center-mounted airbag that protects front-seat passengers in side impacts.

The airbag, developed by GM and safety-system supplier Takata, is mounted on the inboard side of the driver's-seat backrest.

Bing: How does an airbag work?

GM says the airbag helps restrain and protect the driver in the event of a crash on the passenger side of the vehicle when the front passenger seat is empty. It can also act as a cushion between the driver and a front-seat passenger in a side impact.

GM says the airbag will be standard on all models of the Enclave and on models of the Traverse and the Acadia that have power seats.