NAIAS 2011: GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept

Despite the demise of Hummer, the passion for off-road performance seems to be well and alive inside the walls of General Motors. To show that the fire is not out, The General unveiled the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept ahead of the Detroit Auto Show, where the Duramax Diesel-powered, half-ton super truck will be on display in sheetmetal form next month.

From The Outside

Major exterior highlights are obvious. In front we see a meaner, nastier grille than the standard Sierra HD. In fact, the All Terrain’s grill has so much chrome that only a GMC truck would know what to do with it. The truck also sports a 3-inch higher ground clearance, which is needed to sport those enormous 35-inch BFGoodrich 325/60R20 tires. The All Terrain HD is also 4.5 inches wider than the standard Sierra HD, but sports a more compact cargo bed, extending only 5 feet and 8 inches from the rear of the cabin. Though you won’t have enough room in the back to fit as much as the standard HD behemoth, it does come with twin storage compartments on both edges (much like the under-appreciated Chevrolet Avalanche), revealing a 110-volt outlet and a built-in air compressor.

Considering that the All Terrain HD is built for off-road performance, it is fitted with composite material plating covering the underbody that flows from the front bumper to the rear and protects pretty much everything – including the transmission, drivetrain, fuel tank, suspension, axle differentials, and exhaust system.

Mechanical Upgrades

Any serious off-roader knows that lifting the truck is simply not enough to increase performance. That being the case, the All Terrain HD features an original suspension system provided by Fox – the same masterminds behind the suspension of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The All Terrain, however, takes it even further: when approaching a rocky landscape, the driver can activate an electronic disconnection of the front stabilizer bar by simply pressing a button.

We also see customized wheel house liners married with the front and rear jounce shocks that add greater stability and control of the truck. And thanks to the 395 horsepower, 765 lb.-ft. of torque Duramax engine, the All Terrain HD can also tow and haul whatever you plan on bringing to the top of the mountain with you… though there’s no guarantee a trailer will look forward to the rough terrain as much as the truck. It might not be a pure rival to the SVT Raptor, but then again, floating across the Mojave sand isn’t everything.

The GM Authority Take

One key conclusion that we can garner from GM’s choice to build the All Terrain HD Concept under the GMC badge is that this could point towards future design, product planning and brand positioning for GMC. Maybe somebody in the Ren. Cen. is listening to our podcasts after all, or perhaps read our Christmas Wish List. For the full list of details, take a look at the video, photo gallery, and the press release below.

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