2005 GMC Sierra Denali Crew Cab
Source: GM Press ReleasePosted: 02-04-04 23:40 PT

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The premium appointments of GMC's Denali family have been applied to the new 1500 Series Sierra Crew Cab, creating the 2005 Sierra Crew Cab Denali. GMC revealed the Sierra Crew Cab Denali at the Chicago Auto Show.

With segment-leading levels of capability, comfort, refinement and safety, the Sierra Crew Cab Denali joins the Yukon Denali, Yukon XL Denali, Envoy Denali and Envoy XL Denali in a growing family of expressive, well-appointed premium trucks and SUVs.

"The Sierra Crew Cab Denali is all about comfort and style, while maintaining the professional grade capabilities that have driven us to 10 record-setting sales years out of the last eleven," said Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC general manager. "It is the next logical step in giving truck customers the refinement and amenities they're asking for."

The new Sierra Crew Cab Denali shares the distinct, iconic front-end appearance with the Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali, including a chrome grille, projector-beam headlamps and unique front fascia with foglamps. The Denali-specific front-end styling is not shared with other Yukon or Sierra models.

Premium exterior cues also include body-color door handles, body side moldings, tailgate handle, outside mirrors, rear bumper and tonneau cover. Other features include:

• Vortec 6000 V-8 (LQ9) producing 345 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque
• Full-time all-wheel-drive
• Locking rear axle
• 17-inch wheels and tires - with 20-inch wheels and tires available interim 2005
• Hydroboost four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock
• Z71 suspension
• Chrome running boards with integral mud guards
• Denali-specific instrument cluster and center console
• Tone-on-tone leather seating
• Body-color, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power-operated sunroof
• Rear-seat entertainment with DVD player and flip-down screen
• XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only)
• Three exterior colors: Black, Silver Birch Metallic, and White
• Two interior colors: Pewter and Neutral

"The original Yukon Denali set the benchmark for premium comfort and amenities in trucks and SUVs and Sierra Crew Cab Denali builds on that reputation," said Sam Mancuso, marketing director.

Exclusive features, including an available power sunroof, enhance the vehicle's premium environment, as do segment-leading audio and entertainment choices. A dual-play AM/FM stereo with cassette and single-disc CD is standard, while a Bose audio system with six speakers and an amplifier/subwoofer is optional.

Rear-seat passengers can enjoy watching a movie on the optional DVD player. The system includes a flip-down, 7-inch screen and also can play both CD-audio and DVD-format discs. Two sets of wireless (infrared) headphones with independent volume control, a wireless remote control and three sets of auxiliary video/audio inputs are included.

Supporting the Sierra Crew Cab Denali's professional grade capabilities is the powerful Vortec 6000 LQ9 V-8 engine. The LQ9, available for the first time in a GMC model, produces 345 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. It is more powerful than any engine previously offered in a Denali model and boasts numerous technological innovations - including electronic throttle control, which does away with the traditional mechanical link between the gas pedal and engine throttle to deliver crisp, more immediate throttle response.

Backing the Vortec 6000 V-8 is the Hydra-Matic 4L65-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. Based on the proven 4L60-E, the "L65" is built with heavy-duty components, such as five-pinion gearsets and specially hardened input shafts, to handle the increased torque of high-power V-8 engines.

The Sierra Crew Cab Denali's other integrated powertrain components include full-time all-wheel-drive and the RPO G80 locking rear differential. The always-engaged all-wheel-drive system has no buttons to push, splitting torque approximately 60 percent to the rear wheels and 40 percent to the front. Combined with the standard locking differential the Sierra Crew Cab Denali has sure-footed grip, whether driving up a snowy road or pulling a boat and trailer up a ramp. This powertrain combination, along with a standard 4.10 rear axle ratio, allows a towing capacity of approximately 9,000 pounds.

Balanced ride and handling characteristics are delivered by the standard Z71 suspension, which includes three-leaf rear springs and 46-mm gas-charged shocks at all corners. The Sierra Crew Cab Denali also is equipped with the advanced Hydroboost brake system, which provides excellent stopping power for high-deceleration stops and optimum anti-lock performance. They also require less maximum pedal force during high-deceleration stops and improve pedal effort and feel during normal operation.

The Sierra Crew Cab Denali comes standard with polished 17-inch wheels and tires, but 20-inch wheels will be available later in 2005. The 20-inch combination will give an aggressive edge the vehicle's already sporty stance.

"They totally transform the look of the truck," said Mancuso. "We can't wait to offer them."

The foundation for the Sierra Crew Cab Denali is the 1500 Series Sierra Crew Cab, which went in to production for the 2004 model year. Both versions feature a 143.5-inch wheelbase with a specially sized 5-foot 8-inch cargo bed and a conventional Crew Cab passenger compartment. This uniquely sized vehicle offers almost as much carrying space as the regular-size cargo box - 49.6 cubic feet for the Crew Cab box and 56.9 cubic feet for the regular box.

The Sierra Crew Cab Denali has room for five passengers, with the front passenger seat equipped with GM's Passenger Sensing System - it deactivates the passenger frontal air bag under certain conditions to help protect smaller occupants. The system assesses the size of the occupant in the seat, based on measured weight in the seat cushion and tension in the belt system. If these measurements are typical for a small occupant or a child in a booster seat, for example, the air bag is disabled. A telltale in the rearview mirror lets the occupant know if the system is on or off.

GMC, a division of General Motors Corporation, markets the Sierra, Yukon, Envoy, Savana, Safari and GMC medium duty trucks and the all-new Canyon midsize pickup. GMC's lineup of professional grade trucks delivers outstanding capabilities. GMC sold nearly 580,000 vehicles in 2003, setting a divisional sales record for the 10th time in eleven years.

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