GM President Dan Ammann (left) and GMC VP of Sales and Marketing Duncan Aldred with the 2017 GMC Canyon Denali at its L.A. Auto Show reveal.
Everyone seems to want a really nice pickup truck these days and GMC is working to ensure that Canyon and Sierra buyers can get as both are now available in the high-end Denali package.
The package includes the signature Denali chrome grille – premium materials and the latest safety and infotainment technology. Features such as a 10-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster on the Yukon Denali series and Magnetic Ride Control on Sierra Denali are exclusive to their respective vehicle segment.
Debuting the two new offerings at the Los Angeles Auto Show, GMC gave the media an early look at the two new models.
The new Canyon Denali gets the same treatment as its siblings with the unique chrome grille and unique wheels – 20-inch ultra-bright-machined aluminum wheels with painted accents. Exterior cues include chrome fog lamp bezels, five-inch-diameter rectangular chrome assist steps, a polished exhaust tip and a standard spray-in bed liner.
“Canyon is the segment’s first and only premium midsize truck, offering unparalleled capability and efficiency matched with maneuverability and refinement,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing.
GMC is looking to grow its midsize truck offerings with the upscale version of the Canyon for 2017.
“The all-new Canyon Denali builds on that award-winning combination with the distinctive styling, luxurious interior and elevated content that has defined the Denali nameplate since its introduction nearly 17 years ago.”
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The new midsize offering from GM, including its Chevy sibling, Colorado, has been selling well, but the new luxury Canyon is designed to give premium truck buyers another choice in a growing market. Overall, Denali vehicles have accounted for about 25% of all GMC retail sales in 2015 and that’s only going to grow with Canyon Denali.
The Canyon Denali is offered on crew cab models and in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations, according to the brand. The truck gets two powerplants: the standard 3.6-liter V-6 towing 7,000 pounds and getting an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 26 mpg highway on two-wheel drive models.
Plenty of technology is key to drawing buyers into the luxury pickup truck segment.
Also available is the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel, which includes a maximum trailering rating of up to 7,700 pounds and 31 mpg highway. The engine is paired with the Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission, which uses a unique Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorber in the torque converter to reduce powertrain noise and vibration. Diesel models also feature smart diesel exhaust braking and an integrated trailer brake controller that reduces brake wear and improves brake response.
While the Canyon is a new segment for GMC, the Sierra Denali may be the inspiration for its creation. In 2013, GMC didn’t have a luxury truck and now it has more than 15%. The profit margins for the segment make it too important to ignore.
(Click Here for a review of the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax diesel.)
“The Sierra Denali has helped drive the growth of premium portion of the light-duty crew cab segment,” Aldred said. “This truck is the ultimate expression of the Sierra Denali with greater emphasis on the bold and refined presence and advanced features that make Denali models synonymous with precision and exclusivity.”
The 2016 GMC Sierra Denali adds big money to the brand's bottom line, especially since its only been available since 2013.
GMC commands 15.5% of the premium full-size truck segment, where average transaction prices exceed $55,000. The segment has nearly doubled in 2015 and grown tenfold since 2013, when GMC had 0% of the market. In fact, Sierra Denali has helped GMC earn a higher share of the premium portion of the light-duty crew cab segment than of the overall full-size pickup segment, officials said.
Powering the Sierra Denali is a 6.2-liter V-8 mated to an eight-speed automatic powertrain putting out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Active noise cancelation technology contributes to a quieter driving experience and is featured with the 6.2-liter engine. A 5.3-liter V-8 with the new Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission is the standard powertrain.
(GM bullish on diesel despite VW scandal. Click Here for more.)
Both new Denali models enjoy a spate of creature comforts and new technology, such as GMC IntelliLink with Navigation, an eight-inch-diagonal color touchscreen and phone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The new Sierra Denali will be available in the first quarter of next year while the Canyon version doesn’t hit showrooms until late 2016. No pricing was made available.