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Overview:
GMC's terrific pickup, the Sierra C3, gets a new name and much more
for 2002.
The
2002 Sierra Denali features Delphi Automotive Systems’ revolutionary
Quadrasteer 4WS system as standard equipment on the 2002 all-wheel-drive
Extended Cab short box pickup.
Using
conventional front-wheel hydraulic power steering in combination
with an electrically powered rear wheel steering system, Quadrasteer
adjusts rear-wheel angles, turning them opposite to the front wheels
at lower speeds and in the same direction as the front wheels at
higher speeds, for astounding maneuverability and control.
At
lower speeds, the Quadrasteer 4WS system reduces Sierra Denali’s
curb-to-curb turning diameter by 21-percent to 37.4 feet, enabling
it to turn as tightly as a Saturn Coupe at 37.1 feet. This nimbleness
enables the Sierra Denali to slip almost effortlessly in and out
of driveways and tight parking spaces. Its improved low-speed steering
responsiveness also requires fewer steering wheel movements, increasing
driving enjoyment. At highway speeds, Quadrasteer reduces Sierra
Denali’s "yaw," or rotational motion, for dramatically
improved stability. It provides safer, more confident lane changes,
passing and evasive maneuvers – especially during wet or windy
weather.
The
increase in trailering control is equally amazing. With Quadrasteer,
Sierra Denali and its trailer move down the highway as if they were
one. Drivers can change lanes more quickly and safely with hardly
any trailer sway – even at speeds of 65 mph and with an 8000-pound
trailer.
Off-road,
Sierra Denali can jockey easily between boulders and rocks because
its rear wheels maintain the same clearance as the front wheels.
It also allows drivers to venture into places that would stop a
competitive vehicle short, such as a narrow mountain road with a
steep cliff wall and hairpin turns.
In
the city, Quadrasteer allows Sierra Denali to pull its trailer around
a corner, without cutting the corner in the sharp manner of trucks.
It also allows Sierra Denali to maneuver its trailer easily in tight
spaces, like a boat launching area or at a campsite, or to back
the trailer up without the normal right and left gyrations accompanying
such a maneuver.
Equipped
with Quadrasteer, the Sierra Denali now has a higher capacity rear
axle and increased GVWR. A larger 9.75-inch rear ring gear is used
to increase the rear axle’s gross weight rating by 250-pounds
to 4000-pounds. Coupled with the extra capacity already available
in the Sierra Denali’s 51-mm twin-piston caliper front and
45-mm twin-piston caliper rear brakes, the larger rear axle provides
a higher 7200-pound GVWR, 400 pounds more than the Sierra C3. This
allows Sierra Denali to provide a 1722-pound payload carrying capability,
nearly the same as before, despite a small increase in weight associated
with the Quadrasteer system. As indicated, GCWR has also increased
by 2000-pounds; coupled with a new 4.10 axle ratio, it increases
trailering capacity by 1300-pounds to 10,000-pounds (4535.1 Kg).
Exterior
Design:
The exterior of the 2002 Sierra Denali changes substantially from
the 2001 Sierra C3.
Quadrasteer's
wider rear track requires the use of composite 'shoulders' over
the rear wheels to keep them covered by the bed's exterior. Overall
body width has grown from 78.5-inches to 83.5-inches.
Federal
regulations stipulate the trucks over 80-inches in width also include
roof mounted marker lamps and fender mounted clearance lights so
the Denali looks almost like an athletic dually at first glance.
Interior
Design:
A new instrument panel-mounted switch is added to control the Quadrasteer
system, enabling the driver to select either Smooth Ride or Control
/ Trailering.
Powertrain:
GM's highly capable 6.0-liter Vortec 6000 V8 is the only engine
available for Sierra Denali.
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