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I must admit I do like the look of the GMC better.
2015 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLT crew cab pickup
The 2015 Sierra 2500 features an all-new exterior designed to reduce wind noise and enhance powertrain cooling for more consistent performance. The all-new interior is quiet and comfortable, with ample storage for work or travel and the intuitive connectivity of IntelliLink. Customers can chose from gasoline, CNG or diesel power, including the legendary Duramax turbodiesel and Allison transmission.
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Not only was this a nice place to spend your time, it was amazingly quiet on the road.
2015 GMC Sierra Denali HD
The 2015 Sierra Denali HD features an all-new interior that is quiet and comfortable, with ample storage for work or travel and the intuitive connectivity of IntelliLink. Customers can chose from gasoline, CNG or diesel power, including the legendary Duramax turbodiesel and Allison transmission.
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Under this badge sits 765 lb-ft worth of Diesel V-8.
2015 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 HD crew cab pickup with dual rear wh
The 2015 Sierra 3500 features an all-new exterior designed to reduce wind noise and enhance powertrain cooling for more consistent performance. The all-new interior is quiet and comfortable, with ample storage for work or travel and the intuitive connectivity of IntelliLink. Customers can chose from gasoline, CNG or diesel power, including the legendary Duramax turbodiesel and Allison transmission. The Sierra 3500 offers class-leading available payload and conventional towing.
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For those that haul heavy loads, a dually set up increases towing and payload.
2015 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 HD crew cab pickup with dual rear wh
The 2015 Sierra 3500 features an all-new exterior designed to reduce wind noise and enhance powertrain cooling for more consistent performance. The all-new interior is quiet and comfortable, with ample storage for work or travel and the intuitive connectivity of IntelliLink. Customers can chose from gasoline, CNG or diesel power, including the legendary Duramax turbodiesel and Allison transmission. The Sierra 3500 offers class-leading available payload and conventional towing.
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While the Z71 is the off-road version of the HD, it really doesn’t match up well against the competition.
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500HD with Z71
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500HD with Z71
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2015 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500HD with Z71
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500HD with Z71
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2015 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLT (L) and Denali 3500 HD crew cab pick
The 2015 Sierra HD features an all-new exterior designed to reduce wind noise and enhance powertrain cooling for more consistent performance. The all-new interior is quiet and comfortable, with ample storage for work or travel and the intuitive connectivity of IntelliLink. Customers can chose from gasoline, CNG or diesel power, including the legendary Duramax turbodiesel and Allison transmission. The Sierra 3500 offers class-leading available payload and conventional towing.
Story and photos by Budd Stanley
“Lets see what this baby can do,” utters the journalist beside me as he reaches over and mounts a GoPro Camera on the column with a direct view of the gauge cluster. Yes, we were in rural Alberta, and were about to do a 0-60 run in a brand spanking new 2015 GMC Sierra HD turbo diesel – with a 2,338 kg (5,150 lb) Skid Steer in the back.
The result was ridiculous, both in terms of doing a 0-60 run in a heavy duty with a Skid Steer in the back, and the performance that the Sierra laid down. I didn’t get the hard numbers, but let’s just say merging onto the freeway fully loaded should not pose an issue for anyone.
Antics aside, yes I was in Alberta to test GM’s follow-up act to the Silverado and Sierra 1500 they launched late last year – their big HD brothers in both 2500 and 3500 guise. I was impressed with both the 1500’s last year, but would GM give the same attention to what is essentially a working class truck? Any worries that they wouldn’t were quickly put to rest as soon as I stepped into one of the big rigs. Canadians bought 62,000 heavy duties in 2013 so GM is taking their HD redesign seriously, and it shows.
In both cases, the new redesigned bodies sharpen up the look of both trucks as well as increasing the aerodynamics and cooling efficiency. Inside there is a distinctly more refined look and feel with a vastly improved dash design and nicer soft touch materials. The interior still comes to work, the use of no less the five USB ports, a 120v outlet and a couple AC outlets keeps every tool you could own fully charged, while the centre consoles come equipped to act as a second office in the field if need be. Each receive the usual improvements such as hydro-formed high-strength boxed steel frames and asymmetrical rear leaf springs that allow for a comfortable ride whether the bed is loaded or not.
So what do you get with these pickup trucks on steroids? In both the Sierra and Silverado, you’ll find a base 6.0L Vortec V-8 thumping out 360 hp and 380 lb-ft. Both are available in 4x2 or 4x4, with either a 3.73 or 4.10 final drive. If you are hoping for something a little more efficient, GM is giving you two different choices. For those who just want to fuel their trucks with cheaper and cleaner CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), Bi-Fuel is available on all gasoline powered 2500 and 3500. Installed by a third party upfitter before delivery, the system does not affect the factory warranty.
As I mentioned before, the power from the Duramax turbo diesel 6.6L V-8 is addictive to say the least. With 397 hp and an Earth crushing 765 lb-ft, the Duramax is the engine of choice as more than 60% of buyers opt for the increased fuel efficiency and pulling power of the diesel mill. That equates to 3,344 kg (7,374 lb) of payload, 8,890 kg (19,600 lb) towing capacity and 10,523 kg (23,200 lb) capacity when towing with a fifth wheel. Now these numbers are still not SAE J2708 certified, although GM engineers say they aren’t far off the standard formulas. However, opting for the Duramax comes with a cost, $10,000 to be exact.
Disappointingly, GM still doesn’t have an answer to either the Ram Power Wagon or the Ford Raptor. The closest you are going to get to an off-road outfitted Silverado is by ticking off the Z71 package. This gives you Hill Descent Control, an automatic locking rear differential, and some nice Rancho shocks that work great on washboard. At the time of writing, GM just launched the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD. This is a Z71 version of the Sierra with some nicer luxury appointments.
Like the 1500’s, the HD’s implement GM’s enhanced towing and hauling systems. This includes fully integrated cruise control, Auto Grade Braking, Hill Start and Descent control and the most impressive of the bunch, Trailer Brake and Sway Control. The Sway Control effectively stretches the truck Stability Control back to the wheels of the trailer, using the brakes to bring the trailer under control in the event traction is lost. Having tested this system, the results are very impressive.
For those looking for an upscale HD, the tried and true GMC Denali rises to the occasion with colour-coded trim, all the high-end infotainment features and one swanky interior. Heated and cooled front bucket seats are appointed with perforated stitched leather matching a heated and leather wrapped steering wheel.
With this new generation HD, GM has provided some sibling rivalry between the two trucks by offering a luxury edition of the Silverado as well. The Silverado High Country is directly aimed at the Ford King Ranch and Ram Big Horn, carrying on the Western theme. For this you get the same appointments as the Denali including 20-in chrome wheels and a premium saddle brown stitched leather wrapped interior. However, one must ask whether the High Country is going to steal some of the thunder from the Denali? GM don’t think so due to the High Country being Western themed whereas the Denali has a more sophisticated feel to it, taking on the likes of the Ford Platinum Edition.
Getting behind the wheel and on the road it becomes quickly evident that GM weren’t kidding around when they say this thing is quiet. Interior noise levels with a big 6.6L diesel are down right luxuriously quiet. It’s like driving a luxury car where wind and tire noise drowns out any engine noise even at highway speed.
The HD is just a very comfortable place to spend the day. A 300 km road trip seemed to slip by effortlessly. The IFS (Independent Front Suspension) means you can drive down the highway at a ridiculous speed and still feel firmly planted, and oblivious to the actual speed. In fact, the ride is so refined; I was constantly finding myself slipping well above the speed limit. In such a large vehicle that rides so well, the perception of speed is tossed out the window. It’s usually a sign of a good quality vehicle, however, it’s one that will likely net you a speeding violation every now and then.
What really impressed me is the fuel economy. GM don’t list fuel efficiency numbers as the HD’s are considered commercial vehicles and are not regulated to post tested numbers, but they should anyways, because it something they should be proud of. Regardless, I got my own numbers after half a day on the highway with no cargo, and it was a mind-blowing 11.1L/100km, that’s starting to get into mid-sized car territory.
GM sure has spread their HD’s over a wide gamut of segments. From bare bones work trucks, to luxury appointed family haulers, GM’s big guns have 150 different combinations to build a truck tailor suited to your needs. The new design, fantastic interiors and incredibly refined ride really did impress me. The lack of any real drivetrain advances can easily be looked over due to the abilities of the proven technology. And hey, if you need to pass a sports car on the freeway doing 120 kmh, while hauling a Skid Steer, the Silverado or Sierra HD’s have proven their worth.
SPECIFICATIONS:
MSRP: $37,680
Price as tested: $83,645
Engine: 6.0L V-8, 6.6L V-8 Turbo Diesel
Power: 360 hp, 380 lb-ft (gas), 397 hp, 765 lb-ft (diesel)
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Curb Weight: NA
Wheelbase mm (in): 3,393 (133.6) - 4,260 (167.7)
Ground Clearance mm (in): 247 (9.72)
Approach Angle Deg: NA
Departure Angle Deg: NA
Ramp Breakover Angle: NA
Wading Depth mm (in): NA
Tow Capacity: 10,523 kg (23,200 lb)
Fuel Efficiency (L/100km): City: NA, Hwy: 11.1, Comb: NA (Diesel)