Courtesy of GM
By Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of GM
GM steps up and offers a proper off-road version of the 1500
These are strange but wonderful times. Only a few short years ago, the manufacturers built trucks of power, beauty and performance, however when it came to real-world off-road capability, the crop was slim pickings to say the least. “Would you like your off-roader in Rubicon, Raptor or Power Wagon sir?”
Sure, there were some slightly ramped up limited editions, the Toyota Trail Teams comes to mind, but fast-forward to January 2016 and we are spoiled with choices. The truck that started it all is coming back later this year as the Raptor moves into its second generation, Ram have countered with the 1500 Rebel, you could technically include the Jeep Trailhawk special editions, if you consider Crossovers worthy, and as we’ve just reported, Toyota are finally bringing the Tundra TRD PRO-Series north of the 49th.
It’s not going to take on the Ford Raptor any time soon, but we can finally add GM to this fine list of off-road inspired 4WD’s. GM has been machine gunning out a constant barrage of special edition trucks over the last couple months, almost to the point where we’ve stopped opening the press releases. However, a quick glance that caught two rollbar mounted auxiliary lights and a set of mud terrain tires caught our attention.
Our motto is, “you’re not taking the off-road lifestyle seriously until you mount mud terrain tires to a factory sold 4WD.” Well, GM has seen the light, and that's just what they have done with their latest special edition – the GMC Sierra All Terrain X.
The upcoming Sierra All Terrain X will start with a Z71 trimmed 1500, which already sports an Eaton locking rear differential, off-road suspension package with Rancho monotube shocks, high-capacity air cleaner, Hill Descent Control, skid plates for the transfer case, an inclinometer in the driver information centre, spray-on bedliner and unique exterior accents.
The All Terrain X will add select GM accessory parts such as larger Goodyear Mud-Terrain tires (265/65R18), 18-in black aluminum rims, sidesteps, a bed-mounted light bar, a performance exhaust system, body-coloured door handles and moldings, unique floormats, LED headlamps and All-Terrain-logo instrument cluster.
Coming this spring, it will be available only on crew-cab 4x4 short-box SLT models, and will only offer the 5.3-liter V-8 paired to the eight-speed transmission. Pricing will be released closer to its on-sale date.
So GM, we applaud you for taking the off-road lifestyle a little more seriously, welcome to the club. Now get a proper ZR2 program going…