About a month after the introduction of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, General Motors released details on the Chevy's twin and the firm's second rival to Ford's 2011 F-Series Super Duty, the 2011 GMC Sierra Heavy-Duty (HD) that will go on sale this summer.
Featuring the same mechanical tweaks as the latest Silverado, the GMC Sierra enters the 2011 model year with a new 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel, suspension and brake upgrades as well as a new Denali version.
We already knew about the 6.6-liter V8 diesel from the Silverado, but GM has now released output figures for the new engine that delivers 397 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm) at 1,600 rpm.
GM is still holding back the mpg numbers, but the company did say that with the diesel engine the Sierra can cover a distance of around 680 miles on the highway from the 36 gallon tank, which comes to 18.8 mpg US.
The Sierra HD is also offered with a 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.
GM says that the 2011 model has an increased towing capability of up to 20,000 lbs./9,072 kg) and payload of up to 6,335 lbs./2,873 kg (depending on the version).
For the first time, GMC will offer a premium version of the Siera bearing the firm's Denali nametag.
The Sierra Denali HD comes exclusively on the 2500HD chassis, in a 4WD crew cab standard box configuration and is available with both the gasoline and diesel V8s.
Special features include the four-bar, chrome grille with round air inlets, body-color bumpers, chrome door handles, chrome accents and 18- and 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels.
Inside the cabin benefits from specific brushed aluminum trim, power-adjustable pedals, a Bose premium surround audio system and 12-way power seats. A heated steering wheel, heated and cooled leather-appointed seating is optionally available.
