Oct 23rd, 2011
We’ve outlined GM’s plans for its GMC brand for the next three model years in North America. Without further ado, enjoy the guide and share your thoughts (and otherwise) in the comments!
Canyon: production of the present-generation midsize truck will cease by mid-2012 when the Shreveport, LA plant is shut down.
Terrain Denali Debut: coming to market in 2012 for the same model year, the range-topping Denali version of the Terrain will don many a chrome accent, as this tester aims to cover up. We’ve also received several tips from sources with unproven track records claiming that this could be the first Denali crossover to be differentiated by an engine rather than an increased amount of body bling and a higher price tag. We hope to see the 3.6 liter LFX in the compact/midsize CUV.
Canyon: even though GM has (finally) confirmed that the next-generation Chevy Colorado will make its way to the States, it has not announced any plans for a GMC version. As such it’s unclear whether the new truck will don both the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon nameplates, but we think that GMC will get a version of the truck in 2013. For the sanity of truck fans all over North America, we hope that the Chevy and GMC midsizers will be differentiated by more than a simple badge engineering job. Engines in the international-market Colorado include the 2.5 and 2.8 liter Duramax turbo diesels making as much as 346 lb.-ft. of torque (in the 2.8 model). Furthermore, new CAFE requirements will most likely result in the discontinuation of the range of outdated powertrains in the current model, including the large yet not very power-dense fours, fives, and eights.
Granite Debut: having been greelit for production, the subcompact crossover will bow in 2012 for the 2013 model year. The Delta II-based model will share its platform with the Cruze and Verano, although it will ride on a shortened wheelbase. Staying true to the concept, it will also have Dutch doors and have a pickup variant that was shown as the Granite CPU. The concept was powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission — the same powertrain as in the Chevy Cruze. The production version may get the 2.0 liter turbocharged Ecotec or GM’s new 2.5 liter naturally aspirated Ecotec.
Acadia Overhaul: expected in late 2012 or early 2013 for the 2013 model year, the next-generation Acadia will switch to the Theta Premium architecture shared with the Cadillac SRX. However, recent tips to GM Authority have suggested that this Acadia will ride on a long-wheelbase variant of the Theta that has not yet been released, suggesting that the new version may not actually be that different dimensionally from the outgoing model. A turbocharged or naturally-aspirated 3.0 liter as well as a naturally-aspirated 3.6 liter LFX will likely power the new Acadia.
Midsize SUV Debut: expected for the 2013 model year, the new vehicle will be based on GM’s global midsize SUV platform shared with the recently-debuted Chevrolet Colorado. This vehicle, whose name has not yet been decided within General Motors (and will most likely not be called Canyon), will be GMC’s version of the Chevy TrailBlazer but will be heavily differentiated, containing squared styling to the Blazer’s more rounded shape. Engine choices are currently unknown, but the global Chevy Colorado will utilize GM’s new turbo-diesel four cylinders, available in 2.5 and 2.8 liter displacements. It’s unlikely that GM will offer turbodiesels on family- or personal-use SUV, so the 3.0 liter LF1 or 3.6 liter LFX are the most likely contenders to power the vehicle.
Sierra 1500 Redesign & Re-Engineer: expected in the second half of 2013 for the 2014 model year, the next-generation Sierra will utilize an updated architecture and will sport significant powertrain improvements to increase fuel economy while not sacrificing capability. A six cylinder turbo and optional 8-speed transmission are likely, but we wouldn’t discount a naturally-aspirated six-banger under the hood as the base engine. The styling will be greatly differentiated from the Silverado platform mate and a number of GMC-exclusive convenience features are also in the cards. According to sources, “interesting trim levels” are being discussed that have never been seen before. A specialty off-road-oriented variant, along the lines of the Sierra All-Terrain HD Concept, will come a year or two after the debut of the “regular” Sierra.
Yukon Redesign & Re-Engineer: the truck-based full size SUVs will bow in 2013 as 2014 model year vehicles. The Yukon and larger Yukon XL will ride on an updated platform and share more sheet metal with the Sierra pickup truck than the current generation. More importantly, the styling will have a high degree of differentiation compared to the Suburban — the Yukon’s platform mate. In an effort to improve fuel economy in a wide range of driving scenarios, an eight-speed transmission will be utilized and GM’s four-mode hybrid system will replace the current two-mode setup in the optional Hybrid trim.
2015 & Beyond
Sierra Heavy Duty: the best-in-class heavy duty truck was restyled and re-engineered for the 2011 model year. Expect updates to the heavy duty to follow the release of the Sierra 1500 by a year or two, due for the 2014 or 2015 model year. Details are scarce, but a new version of the Duramax Diesel is in the works.
Savana: a new Savana full-size van will come several years later. There have been rumblings of GM modernizing thetraditional classic old vans by moving them to a single global vehicle based on the Opel Movano, just as Ford is doing with the T-Series and its Transit line in Europe.
GMC Product Guide - 2012 2013 2014
| 2012 MY | 2013 MY | 2014 MY |
|---|---|---|
| CANYON DISCONTINUATION | OVERHAULED CANYON DEBUT? | SIERRA 1500 REDESIGN & RE-ENGINEER |
| TERRAIN DENALI DEBUT | GRANITE DEBUT | YUKON REDESIGN & RE-ENGINEER |
| ACADIA OVERHAUL | TERRAIN EASSIST? | |
| MIDSIZE SUV DEBUT? |
2012: The Year Of Nothing
Canyon: production of the present-generation midsize truck will cease by mid-2012 when the Shreveport, LA plant is shut down.
Terrain Denali Debut: coming to market in 2012 for the same model year, the range-topping Denali version of the Terrain will don many a chrome accent, as this tester aims to cover up. We’ve also received several tips from sources with unproven track records claiming that this could be the first Denali crossover to be differentiated by an engine rather than an increased amount of body bling and a higher price tag. We hope to see the 3.6 liter LFX in the compact/midsize CUV.2013: The Year Of Granite, Acadia & A Midsize SUV
Canyon: even though GM has (finally) confirmed that the next-generation Chevy Colorado will make its way to the States, it has not announced any plans for a GMC version. As such it’s unclear whether the new truck will don both the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon nameplates, but we think that GMC will get a version of the truck in 2013. For the sanity of truck fans all over North America, we hope that the Chevy and GMC midsizers will be differentiated by more than a simple badge engineering job. Engines in the international-market Colorado include the 2.5 and 2.8 liter Duramax turbo diesels making as much as 346 lb.-ft. of torque (in the 2.8 model). Furthermore, new CAFE requirements will most likely result in the discontinuation of the range of outdated powertrains in the current model, including the large yet not very power-dense fours, fives, and eights.
Granite Debut: having been greelit for production, the subcompact crossover will bow in 2012 for the 2013 model year. The Delta II-based model will share its platform with the Cruze and Verano, although it will ride on a shortened wheelbase. Staying true to the concept, it will also have Dutch doors and have a pickup variant that was shown as the Granite CPU. The concept was powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission — the same powertrain as in the Chevy Cruze. The production version may get the 2.0 liter turbocharged Ecotec or GM’s new 2.5 liter naturally aspirated Ecotec.
Acadia Overhaul: expected in late 2012 or early 2013 for the 2013 model year, the next-generation Acadia will switch to the Theta Premium architecture shared with the Cadillac SRX. However, recent tips to GM Authority have suggested that this Acadia will ride on a long-wheelbase variant of the Theta that has not yet been released, suggesting that the new version may not actually be that different dimensionally from the outgoing model. A turbocharged or naturally-aspirated 3.0 liter as well as a naturally-aspirated 3.6 liter LFX will likely power the new Acadia.
Midsize SUV Debut: expected for the 2013 model year, the new vehicle will be based on GM’s global midsize SUV platform shared with the recently-debuted Chevrolet Colorado. This vehicle, whose name has not yet been decided within General Motors (and will most likely not be called Canyon), will be GMC’s version of the Chevy TrailBlazer but will be heavily differentiated, containing squared styling to the Blazer’s more rounded shape. Engine choices are currently unknown, but the global Chevy Colorado will utilize GM’s new turbo-diesel four cylinders, available in 2.5 and 2.8 liter displacements. It’s unlikely that GM will offer turbodiesels on family- or personal-use SUV, so the 3.0 liter LF1 or 3.6 liter LFX are the most likely contenders to power the vehicle.
2014: The Year Of Yukon And Sierra
Sierra 1500 Redesign & Re-Engineer: expected in the second half of 2013 for the 2014 model year, the next-generation Sierra will utilize an updated architecture and will sport significant powertrain improvements to increase fuel economy while not sacrificing capability. A six cylinder turbo and optional 8-speed transmission are likely, but we wouldn’t discount a naturally-aspirated six-banger under the hood as the base engine. The styling will be greatly differentiated from the Silverado platform mate and a number of GMC-exclusive convenience features are also in the cards. According to sources, “interesting trim levels” are being discussed that have never been seen before. A specialty off-road-oriented variant, along the lines of the Sierra All-Terrain HD Concept, will come a year or two after the debut of the “regular” Sierra.
Yukon Redesign & Re-Engineer: the truck-based full size SUVs will bow in 2013 as 2014 model year vehicles. The Yukon and larger Yukon XL will ride on an updated platform and share more sheet metal with the Sierra pickup truck than the current generation. More importantly, the styling will have a high degree of differentiation compared to the Suburban — the Yukon’s platform mate. In an effort to improve fuel economy in a wide range of driving scenarios, an eight-speed transmission will be utilized and GM’s four-mode hybrid system will replace the current two-mode setup in the optional Hybrid trim.
2015 & Beyond
Sierra Heavy Duty: the best-in-class heavy duty truck was restyled and re-engineered for the 2011 model year. Expect updates to the heavy duty to follow the release of the Sierra 1500 by a year or two, due for the 2014 or 2015 model year. Details are scarce, but a new version of the Duramax Diesel is in the works.
Savana: a new Savana full-size van will come several years later. There have been rumblings of GM modernizing the
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