AT4 Sub-Brand To Replace All Terrain Trim Level For GMC
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Up to the minute of yesterday’s big 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 reveal, just about everybody figured that the brand would have stuck with the relatively fresh “All Terrain” nomenclature. Yet as it turns out, the All Terrain badge will be put to pasture, and make way for “AT4,” a new badge designated for every off-road variant scheduled to roll out across the entire GMC lineup.
“(All Terrain) will phase out, and in will come AT4,” said GMC President Duncan Aldred, at the 2019 Sierra AT4 reveal. However, AT4 won’t be as simple as a rebranding, or a name change. Aldred alluded to GMC AT4 models taking off-road capabilities for the brand closer towards a territory largely monopolized by the popular Jeep brand, but stopped short at suggesting that attacking Jeep is the mission of the AT4 sub-brand.
“It is different (than All Terrain). It is all-wheel drive only, it has extra capability (compared to All Terrain),” Aldred said. Even the upcoming Acadia AT4 will see upgrades from the Acadia All Terrain it will eventually replace, he shared with GMAuthority. Details on the forthcoming Acadia AT4 are currently scarce.
“Everything will have more capability, appropriate to the vehicle.” To put it another way – don’t expect a 2-inch lift kit on a future GMC Terrain AT4 (which narrowly avoids being called the Terrain All Terrain). As for which GMC vehicle will be designated to receive the AT4 badge next, Aldred and company are keeping that one close to the chest for now.
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Smart move as not all the GMC All Terrain Models are All Terrain.
The Acadia would look better with AT4 on it than All Terrain.
The truth is they just shortened the name to AT and added a 4.
Well I’m sure it will be more than just an appearance package on the Acadia and Terrain, which is all the All Terrain package currently is.
I doubt they will be equipped with Duratracs, but likely a AT/S tire instead of a highway tire. Will be AWD only, maybe offer the torque vectoring dual clutch AWD as an exclusive. As well they will almost certainly get electric terrain management in the selectable traction control (Sand, mud, snow, sport, etc). Then yes, look for the normal aesthetics – body match grille and trim, interior, badging, etc.
It will be a step up from what they have now. It will be an off road package.
It and the Trail Boss are the new Z71 with improvements.
It is not a Raptor or ZR2. That could come later just as the ZR did to the Colorado.
The major off road package would go to Chevy based on comments From GMC on future performance models last year unless something has changed.
“Can’t” lift a unibody. So don’t expect any crossover to be lifted. Would need a sort of body lift with full suspension and drivetrain alteration, and that’s not really ideal for a CUV or any unibody platform. Or cost effective for GM. Lifting a body on frame, with a 2″ lift seen on the Sierra AT4, anyone can do in an hour with $150 kit, $400 to get new struts.
I really hope the AT4 pushes GMC into a BOF midsize SUV based in the Colorado.. or the flexibly T1 platform (2019 Sierra Silverado) which the new gen Colorado Canyon will ride in a modified smaller version. It sucks though, if they are planning that, they are late to the game behind the Bronco AND sub-Bronco off-roaders Ford has on deck for next year.
AT4 looks good though, and has more substance than Z71 which I always though was a waste of money.
I’ll have to disagree with you Andrew, I think you’re a bit confused. You absolutely can lift a uni-body vehicle, every seen an old Jeep Cherokee? Silverado and Sierra lifts are not a “body lift”, they are a suspension lift just like you can do to any vehicle, frame or not.
All modern Jeeps besides the Wranger are unibody and have higher suspension lifts available as a trim. The Grand Cherokee is a uni-body vehicle and although, yes the drivetrain layout is completely different, if you look at how the suspension operate and mounts to the vehicle, it’s nearly identical to the Acadia with IFS and IRS, coil springs/strut assemblies. They are lifted often without issue, same goes for the Patriot which is a transverse engine, New Cherokee, Renegade, etc.
I’ve lifted a Saturn before, Yes, a Saturn Ion. Space the struts out and add taller springs. It was done as a joke vehicle, but it can be done. Most vehicles, including full frame vehicles with IFS or IRS may need sub frame or axle drops to keep axle shaft angles in check over a couple inches of suspension lift.
Most on-road trucks use a cheap block lift, not a true suspension lift. I do agree that you can lift the Acadia and Terrain, but they better use Colorado ZR2 ideas like the locking diffs, skid plates, extra bumper angles, and rocker bars. Cast Iron suspension arms wouldn’t hurt, either. Haha, imagine a Terrain lifted on DSSV shocks and Duratracs! Toyotas wouldn’t stand a chance!
The deal is anything can be lifted. But that does not mean it is a cheap or good idea.
Most CUV models are more car than truck. I own an Acadia and really would not want to lift it. It is more SSEI than Grand Cherokee.
I would like the TrailBlazer redone for our market with a new body and take on the off road market. A ZR2 like model and standard model would find a market here.
I think going to AT4 is a clear indication that they’re serious about taking GMC global; “All Terrain” is just one less badge to replace in markets where English isn’t the primary language.
I dislike the new name and think it would be more at home on a Suzuki, but I obviously don’t call the shots.
Hmmm, very interesting. This could be the replacement for my Denali as you get this option in all black…Very happy to see that they will offer this with the 6.2. Also pleased to see that you can get it with a standard bed – neither were available on the All Terrain X. The last thing I am hoping for is the option for cooled seats – not offered with the previous All Terrain package. Well played GMC, well played…
I was hoping they would do the terrain at4 to rival the Cherokee trailhawk
I love how some guys think they know all a vehicle that hasn’t even been built yet ! Cracks me up ! Do you guys work for GM?
Wonder if you’ll be able to order an AT4 Sierra with BfG All-Terrain T/A K02s instead of the Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs when ordering custom from a dealer instead of picking a lot model?