What was one a rumor has now been proven true. General Motors will be introducing an optional carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) bed on its flagship pickup truck: the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. Couple that with the trick triple threat tailgate, branded as MultiPro Tailgate, and the 2019 Sierra 1500 Denali embodies the GMC values of precision and innovation that haven’t been seen since the introduction of Quadrasteer.
Figuring out how to efficiently incorporate something as advanced as a carbon fiber reinforced plastic truck bed appears to be no easy task, but it appears that General Motors was able to leverage learnings from other vehicle programs to make this feature viable. According to GM head of product development Mark Reuss, that’s exactly what happened.
“I would say that there are learnings from other vehicles that went into the making of the bed,” said Reuss, in an afternoon media scrum during the 2019 Sierra 1500 reveal. “And that’s a big deal in terms of learning to get on these curves and see what we can drive out of it, and get the efficiencies, and really lead.”
Reuss didn’t specify as to which vehicles or programs GM’s truck division leveraged. Though if we look at which vehicles currently feature carbon fiber integration, it’s likely from learnings of performance vehicles such as the Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1, or perhaps something in the pipeline.
Reuss, a career GM employee, also hinted that the learnings through the development of the 2019 Sierra’s CFRP bed can be implemented into other vehicles, but left out specifics. Currently, the CFRP bed is exclusive to the 2019 Sierra 1500 Denali, and will rollout as an option a little after the Q3 2018 launch of the truck. Neither the CarbonPro truck bed nor the MultiPro tailgate will be offered on the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
[nggallery id=952]
Comments
GM has invested in some companies that have been working in the molded and forged carbon fiber field.
Actually most automakers are working in this area and we should see the results in the near future. It is not the kind of carbon like we see on the Vette hood but it is as strong and light but much less labor intensive to make.
Autoclave times are a major issue and if they can cure the plastic or resins in min vs. hours it will really cut cost.
There are many good technical stories on the web about the work being done.
Back in 2002 2003 Chevy had the composite (ProTec) bed that was made from plastics and a little steel I liked it and it was a 500.00 option on my 02. I am curious what the carbon fiber will do to the cost of the GMC! Never understood why the bed was discontinued back then either.
The issue was quality issues with the plastic. They had problems they just never could get resolved.
Carbon Fiber is not to lower the cost it is to make it stronger. Normal Carbon Fiber is cheap always has been but the labor to make it into a part is time consuming.
The Carbon is laid out like fiberglass and resin is used but to cure it they have to put it in a autoclave to cure it and that takes a lot of time and is expensive while limiting production.
The new forms are plastics that have carbon fibers embedded in them that give the strength of traditional carbon products but they are molded or cured like most other plastics in min not hours in an autoclave.
They claim this best panels have passed the durability test better than Aluminum or Steel. Time will tell how it holds up but I expect they have it resolved this time around better.
I give it til the first mid-cycle refresh until we see the bed and tailgate in the Silverado
Was thinking the same; will most likely be on the high trim Silverado for MY22…
The problem is, its only the floor and back of the tailgate that are CFRP…Inside the bed, the sides including the fenders are still metal and I haven’t heard either way if the front of the bed is metal…CFRP should double as a FULL bed liner (sides and front included) as now most will likely seek out a spray in solution, yet for many installers, they see “Denali” and now the Denali owner isn’t getting a good deal….Installer may not give the bed sides/front of only $100 rate that you should get, many will get: “I’ll do the whole bed for $500, just want the front and sides only then I’ll knock $100 off so $400 but I recommend you do the whole thing”…
We’ll have to wait until the mid cycle refresh to determine if the option tickles down to other trims and the Silverado to determine what direction they’re going in…
I don’t see where it’s not the complete inside of the bed?
Not that I need to worry, I think the GMC wheel openings are hideous so it will be a bow-tie for me.
Bed walls and bulkhead are CFRP as well. The entire interior of the bed is CFRP minus the tailgate which fiber glass composite. Exterior panels and the bed mounting points are steel. The external panels remain steel for ease and cost of replacement in a collision and paintability. I doubt that CFRP can be painted, likely just dyed different hues at best.
Yes; the older stories stated the floor and tailgate were CFRP but stated the “fenders” are steel this time…The early 2000s plastic box had even the outers fenders plastic which was throwing me off…The MY19 Sierra does have a CFRP bed including the inner fenders and is great that it replaces the bed liner…
Its all CFRP.
http://media.gmc.com/dld/content/dam/Media/images/US/Vehicles/GMC/SierraDenali/2019/Product/2019-GMC-Sierra-Denali-023.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg
I’m curious as to how well it does around heat and fire – thin sheet metal doesn’t actually stand up that well, so I wonder if this is comparable…
Not many trucks handle well with a fire in the bed.
I’m curious to see how it handle UV and brittleness in extreme cold
So how long will it be before manufactures copy what GM is doing with the bed and tailgate?
And if they do then what’s the point of having a patent? If other manufactures can take your idea and change a few things and call it their own technology then what’s the point of being first to market?
The thermoplastics are tougher than the thermosets, not at all brittle. Depending on the matrix chosen, should be extremely tough and durable, no liner needed. Temp is a non-issue. Scott is right, the material cost is not the limiting factor in bringing carbon composites to market. Chemistry and manufacturing is catching up for rates required for mass production.
Spot on! Plus one!