Media Middle East

New for 2011

• New gross vehicle weight ratio (GVWR) options available on Sierra 2500 HD range
• Performance Package, Higher Payload. Provides heavier duty frame and rear suspension specially tuned to handle higher payloads.
• Suspension, front independent, torsion bar with increased front gross axle weight ratio (GAWR) standard on 2500
• New standard 17’ wheels with spare and new available wheel trim for the 3500HD and standard/available 17’’ and 18’’ wheels with spare on the 2500HD
• New highway blackwall tires (3500)
• New standard 6.0L Vortec V8 SFI engine producing 322HP@4400 rpm and 515 Nm of torque for the 3500
• Standard  fully boxed ,hydroformed front section frame for the 3500
• New available front and rear fuel tanks for the 3500
• Standard  suspension, front independent standard for 3500
• New exterior color available for 3500: Gray green Metallic

Product information:

GMC SIERRA 2500HD AND 3500HD: Power, Pride and Durability

Vehicle highlights:

• Sierra HD lineup offers segment-leading towing capability (9,843 kg) and segment-leading payload (3,009 kg) supported by all-new frames and strong suspensions
• Segment-best conventional trailer tow rating of 7711 kg
• Segment-best fifth-wheel trailer rating of  9,843 kg
• All-new independent front suspension delivers 25-percent increased front axle rating and superior control under all conditions

Middle East – The comprehensively redesigned roster of the 2011 SierraHD series returns with enduring performance and segment leading capability/ options making the 2011 GMC Sierra series an ever powerful contender in its market.

For 2011 the 2500 Sierra comes with new GVWR (Gross vehicle weight ratio options),

Suspension, standard rear 4+1 multi-leaf springs, standard front independent, torsion bar with increased front GAWR and new available 17"x 7.5" (43.2 cm x 19.1 cm) full-size steel wheels. In addition a Performance Package is available with a higher payload providing a heavier duty frame and rear suspension specially tuned to handle higher payloads.

The 2011 3500HD comes with a new available wheel trim, new highway blackwall tires, standard 17’’ painted wheels, new standard 6.0L Vortec V8 SFI engine producing 312HP@4400 rpm and 506 Nm of torque. In addition it comes with a standard fully boxed, hydroformed front section frame, new available front and rear fuel tanks, standard  suspension, front independent , standard torsion bar with inversed front GAWR, standard 7+1 rear multi leaf springs suspension and gray green metallic as a new exterior color.

“The new Sierra HD series is the latest expression of GMC’s philosophy of blending capability with premium features and styling,” said Luay Shurafa, Brand Manager of GMC Middle East.

Design

The iconic Sierra chrome surround grille gives the Sierra its powerful presence, along with chrome bumpers, black door handles and 17 and 18 inch aluminum, steel and chrome clad wheel options. On the inside they include power adjustable pedals, a Bose premium surround audio system and 10 way power seats.

The exterior for the 2500 is offered in Midnight Blue Metallic, Onyx Black, Stealth Gray Metallic, Summit White, Storm Gray Metallic, Fire Red and pure silver metallic while the 3500 is offered in Midnight Blue Metallic, Onyx Black, Stealth Gray Metallic, Summit White, Storm Gray Metallic Fire Red, pure silver metallic, and a new color of gray green metallic.

Unity of power and transmission

The Vortec 6.0L gas V-8 with variable valve timing returns to the new Sierra HDs, along with a heavy duty six-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers excellent performance and efficiency, with a greater emphasis on low-rpm power. It is enhanced for 2011 with greater idle refinement.The engine for the 2500 is rated at 360 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 515 Nm at 4,200 rpm in trucks with GVWRs up to 4545 kilos. It is rated at an estimated 322 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 515 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm in trucks with GVWRs greater than 4545 kilos.

Engineered for toughness

The frames have increased cross sections and use more high-strength steel for greater durability, higher towing capacity and improved ride and handling; the front sections are hydroformed. The bending and beaming stiffness of the frames is increased 92 percent and 20 percent, respectively, with the fully boxed sections enhancing torsional stiffness by a factor of five. Also, larger engine and transmission mounts, coupled with a 125-percent-stiffer front frame structure, provide greater vibration control, while hydraulic body mounts are incorporated under the cab section on extended and crew cab models for a more isolated feel inside.

Engineers addressed common customer and aftermarket uses when designing the new frames, including adding access holes to the rear frame section to enable easier installation of fifth-wheel/gooseneck-style hitches. Also, the frame-mounted hitch for conventional trailering is stronger, with a box-tube design. It supports up to 7,711 kg.

State of the art Suspension

A completely redesigned independent front suspension system offers up to a 25-percent greater front axle weight rating 2,721 kg front gross axle weight rating (FGAWR). Sierra’s signature short-long arm/torsion bar front suspension design is retained, but now features new, forged steel upper control arms that are stronger and lighter than their predecessors. The new lower control arms are made of precision-machined cast iron to handle the greater loads. Five different torsion bar rates support five different front gross axle weight ratings (a single torsion bar was previously used for all models). This helps stabilize the range of trim heights of various models under load, while enhancing appearance, handling, durability, tire wear and alignment. The trim height is adjusted on each bar via a single bolt, easily allowing the height to be changed to account for the weight of a snow plow or other accessories. The Sierra HD front suspension now uses a pair of urethane jounce bumpers on each side, instead of one, for improved load management; and there’s a new upper shock mount attachment design that’s positively connected to the frame with two fasteners. This design eliminates squeaks and clunks, while supporting higher load capability and increased durability.

Compared to competitors’ beam-axle front suspensions, the Sierra’s independent front suspension provides a better ride, more accurate trim height control (with fewer parts) and greater flexibility to adjust the alignment for weight and tire sensitivity.

Matching the Sierra HD’s greater strength and capability is a rear suspension designed to support greater loads. It features a new, larger asymmetrical leaf-spring design that also contributes to improved ride and handling characteristics. The asymmetrical design is derived from unequal front and rear spring half lengths, which minimize axle hop and enhance traction control efficiency.

The 2500HD models feature a two-stage leaf-spring design. All models feature 3-inch-wide 76 mm leaf springs that are 20-percent wider than previous models. The larger leaf-spring design supports increased rear gross axle weight ratings across the board. On the 2500HD models, the rating increases to 2,818 kg – up from 2,765. On 3500HD models, the rating increases to 3,204 kg on single-rear-wheel models and 4,261 kg on dual-rear-wheel models – the latter representing a nearly 14-percent increase over the previous 3,727 kg rating.

Unmatched safety

The standard four-wheel disc system is completely revamped to deliver smoother, more immediate and confident-feeling performance. Four-wheel, four-channel ABS is standard on all single-rear-wheel models and a three-channel system is standard on dual-rear-wheel models. The front and rear rotors are larger in diameter – 355 mm– and width on all models to support their increased capacity, weight ratings and trailering ratings, while the calipers are stiffer and stronger.

The revised hydroboost brake booster calibration reduces pedal effort, and the revised travel of the pedal provides a more comfortable, confident feel. Larger wheel hub and bearing assemblies complement the new brake system, and the rear rotors attach to the wheel hubs for easier servicing.

The 2011 Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD have a comprehensive roster of safety features and functional technologies that include:

• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system on all single-rear-wheel models
• Larger, four-wheel disc brakes with standard four-wheel ABS
• A new high-strength steel tubular frame cross member that enhances safety and improves crashworthiness
• Seat pelvic/thorax and head curtain side air bags available on 2500HD
• Available rear backup camera
• Trailer sway control system on all single-rear-wheel models
• Hill start assist (standard on single-rear-wheel models).

The trailer sway control system provides an added measure of confidence when towing a trailer. The system senses conditions of trailer sway and intervenes with braking and/or reduced engine power to bring the trailer under control and keep it on its intended path. The system uses electric trailer brakes when a trailer is plugged into the standard wiring harness of the truck, and its performance requires no input from the driver. The hill start assist system is automatically engaged when sensors detect the vehicle is on a grade of about 5 percent or greater. It holds the brakes for about 1.5 seconds or until the gas pedal is pressed, preventing rollback. It is particularly effective when towing, giving the driver time to switch from the brake pedal to the gas pedal without rolling.