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Overview:
GMC is leading a revolution in handling and control, with the full-size
truck industry’s first four-wheel-steering (4WS) system. It
features Delphi Automotive Systems’ revolutionary Quadrasteer
4WS system as standard equipment on the 2002 all-wheel-drive Extended
Cab short box pickup Sierra
Denali, formerly known as Sierra C3.
Also
new for 2002, two purposefully designed Sierra Professional models
also join the lineup to provide the ultimate professional grade
tool for vocational operators who want more than just transportation.
They are available in 1500 Series 2WD/4WD Extended Cab short box
configurations and will be introduced in the fourth quarter of calendar
year 2001.
The
2WD Sierra Professional, available in either SLE or SLT trim, has
a standard Vortec 4800 V8. The Vortec 5300 V8 is optional. The 4WD
model, available only in SLE trim, has a standard Vortec 5300 V8.
It provides the option of a Vortec 4800 V8 for credit on the purchase
price. Both engines mate to a standard 4L60-E four-speed automatic
transmission.
The
new models create a striking appearance, which also accommodates
personal use. They feature a large, heavy, full-chrome grille; bold,
molded-in-color bodyside molding, embossed with "GMC Sierra
Professional" in raised letters; specific 16-inch cast aluminum
wheels and LT245/75R-16C tires and wheel flares. They also feature
a full standard bedliner and box rail protector covers. Additional
options have also been created for them. The trucks are available
in all regular 1500 Series Extended Cab colors, except Toreador
Red.
The
2002 Sierra lineup includes 2WD/4WD 1500HD Crew Cab models (C/K
15743), combining optimum six-passenger roominess with best-in-class
power, performance and work capabilities.
Light
duty Sierras share standard equipment and equipment package upgrades
with their heavy-duty Sierra counterparts. The equipment refinements
simplify vehicle ordering and tailor the trucks more closely to
customers’ wants and needs. (See Sierra HD press information
write-up for full details.) Bigger, bolder "Sierra" badge
on the rear tailgate also emphasize the standout professional grade
capabilities of the new models.
The
Sierra 1500HD Crew Cab short box pickup, available in 2WD and 4WD
configuration, provides optimum six-passenger seating and the quarter-ton
segment’s highest work capabilities. It is the ideal vehicle
for recreational users who tow horse trailers, campers or race cars
and provides more performance/work capability than any of the segment’s
vocational or commercial customer might expect.
The
Sierra 1500HD can tow trailers weighing up to 10,300-pounds or haul
up to 3139-pounds of payload. It has a standard (Z85) handling/trailering
suspension that creates a smooth ride and provides good management
for vehicle loads.
Exterior
Design:
There are no exterior changes for 2002 other than the Sierra Professional
appearance package.
Look
for a mid-cycle enhancement to the Sierra's exterior for the 2003
model year to bring it in line with the more industrial looks found
on the Terradyne and Terra4 concept trucks.
Interior
Design:
The Sierra Professional's interior features a full-length, custom-designed
console, extending from the instrument panel to the back of the
front seats, along with a unique rear under-seat storage container.
Both storage facilities lock for full security.
The
center console has a front compartment, providing concealed storage
for a PDA (personal digital assistant), cell phone and two auxiliary
power points to charge them. It also provides a storage tray for
smaller items like maps, gloves or CD. In addition, it has an oversized
"Big Gulp"-type cupholder and a second temperature-controlled
cupholder that can keep beverages hot or cold, when the ignition
is on. The center console also accommodates a seven-quart capacity,
thermal electric cooler, provided with the ensemble, which can keep
drinks and food cold or warm. The cooler runs directly off the battery
and provides power continuously, even with the engine off. It uses
a smart switch, which monitors the battery charge level and shuts
power off, when necessary, to preserve the battery.
The
center console can also be easily converted to provide hanging file
folder storage, with two specially designed rails provided for that
purpose. The rails slide into the center bin in place of the thermal
electric cooler. Additional storage capability in back of the console
accommodates items like folders and portfolios. Convenient storage
nets on the underside of the lid and on the backside of the console
provide additional storage. The console also has two additional
power outlets in the rear for charging battery packs for power tools.
The
lockable storage container beneath the rear seat is approximately
57 inches wide, 16.5 inches deep and eight inches high, providing
a little over two cubic feet of storage space for larger vocational
tools like rotary hammers and saws. Inside, it provides another
13.5-inch x 12.5-inch x 5.5-inch storage container for smaller items
like electrical components, fasteners or plumbing repair items.
The
Sierra 1500HD, available in SLE and SLT trim, provides all the uplevel
features and amenities those packages include, such as standard
air conditioning with micron air filter, an AM/FM stereo with seek-scan,
digital clock, four speakers and a compact disc player and power
programmable door locks and power windows.
Powertrain:
There are a wide variety of powerplant choices for the GMC Sierra
including a 4.3-liter V6, 4.8-liter V8, 5.3-liter V8 and
6.0-liter V8.
Emission
refinements for the 2002 Sierra include the addition of multi-port
fuel injection to its Vortec 4300 V6 for better fuel control to
meet California emissions requirements. The Vortec 5300 V8 also
benefits from refined emissions for most regular cab and extended
cab models. To meet California’s Low Emission Vehicle requirements,
similar refinements have been made to Sierra’s Vortec 6000
V8 engine.
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