Like Silverado, New GMC Sierra Features Front Air Curtains
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Given that the 2019 and newer GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado both ride on the GM T1 platform, they are very closely related – even in the way of aerodynamics, as both trucks feature front air curtains.
Otherwise known as front aero curtains, front air curtains are an aerodynamics technology that reduces a vehicle’s drag and increases overall aerodynamic efficiency. Designed to guide oncoming atmosphere through unique tunnels in and around the vehicle, air curtains work to not only improve fuel economy, but also to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) inside the cabin.
The technology is evident on the 2019 to present GMC Sierra 1500 in the subtle cutouts in the fog light housings. Meanwhile, the front air curtains are also featured on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, as can be seen via the vertical slats hugging the body on the outer edge of the front fascia.
Other GM models that currently utilize front air curtains include the Chevrolet Camaro, along with the upcoming 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Suburban.
The similarities between the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado also permeate into the powertrain, as both models are equipped with identical engine offerings, currently comprised of these six engine choices:
- Naturally-aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3 (gasoline)
- Turbo-charged 2.7L I4 L3B (gasoline)
- Naturally-aspirated 5.3L V8 L82 (gasoline)
- Naturally-aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 (gasoline)
- Naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 (gasoline)
- Turbo-charged 3.0L I6 LM2 (diesel)
The engines are mated either to a six-, eight, of ten-speed automatic transmission driving either the rear or all four wheels.
Despite the similarities between the two full-size GM trucks, there are various noteworthy differences between the two, including different sheetmetal, front and rear fascias, wheel wells, trim level structures, suspension-level differences, and various features such as the MultiPro tailgate and CarbonPro bed.
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Editor’s note: an earlier version of this article stated that the GMC Sierra did not feature front air curtains. This is because GMC initially confirmed to GM Authority that the 2019 Sierra does not have front air curtains. However, the brand subsequently reached out to tell us that the Sierra does have, in fact, the air curtains. Long story short – the 2019 GMC Sierra does have front air curtains.
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I think….
The GMC looks….
The Chevy looks….
GM should…
Ram has more sales because…
Ford…
Trump…
LOL…
If they get the same MPG, and the whole idea of the curtains was for MPG reasons, GMC should explore at least one trim with aircurtains and a duramax. It would probably gain 3-4 mpg over the Silverado.
3-4 MPG? riiiight. Better add a throttle body spacer too. And a third tank beside the fuel and DEF tank for automotive store Mileage Booster additive
You may note that the GMC and Chevy have different wheel well shapes. Chevy uses the side cutain and the GMC has the top front corner of each wheel well slanted down to deflect air from the wheel well. Toyota has used a similar thing.
There are different ways to cut air out of the wheel well and GM uses two different ways.
GMC covered the Wheel Well shape in their press conference at the intro. I think you will find that the results of the two methoeds are similar.
Look at the side of the GMC and note the corners to the front of the truck is tapered and not squared off like past GMC models.
It has the air curtains actually, they are hidden within the fog light housing. If you look inside the wheel wells you’ll see the vents travel through.
You sure? lots of wheel wells have a louvered section to reduce engine bay pressure (past two generations of GM trucks have for sure)
The ’19 Sierra fog lights, while they have slats, look to be 100% solid.
I am the fleet manager at a GM store. I assure you that they have air curtains. I wish there was a way to post pictures in the comments.
Interesting, thanks for the info!
If you want to link to a photo, add the link and put a space in it to break it apart. People can then copy both segments and delete the space.. like this:
google .com
You are completely right, it was good click bait I wanted to be proven wrong.
To shed some light on this: none of what you see here was “clickbait.” Here’s what actually happened.
We reached out to GMC and were told that the Sierra does NOT have the air curtains. A few hours after publishing, another representative reached out to say that the Sierra DOES have air curtains.
GM Authority does not do clickbait. It just so happens that we were given incorrect information. The article has since been updated. All’s well that ends well.
Well, how about instead of jumping the gun and feeling that you need to be the first to post something, do you your due diligence at reporting and make sure that you have all the correct info. Come on now, you used to be reputable but since your argument regarding the escalade interior that you lost, your credibility has slid.
For me it just again shows,
nobody at GM knows anything !!
How can you get information from GM that does not even know the question asked ?
Can’t they check ?
Get off the couch or off their chair and go look, just look at what they are asked !!
Anyway, like you said, no harm done, all’s well that ends well.
Talk about people who don’t live in reality, gee.
Just more ” we were given incorrect information by GM ”
Welcome to reality !!!!!!!
jonnyd84 – If checking with the automaker is not doing the due diligence, then I don’t know what is.
It wasn’t about being first… it was about getting wrong information after doing the due diligence. I hope you see just how flawed your logic is on this matter.
Also, all this talk about losing arguments and reputation has me thinking that you have an ulterior motive with some kind of an agenda. The fact that you choose to hide behind a handle makes your words more suspect still.
But if you really want to talk about credibility, then let’s! This story was caused by miscommunication within GMC. We completely corrected it within 38 minutes of learning about it, and issued an explanation… again, all within 38 minutes. It’s this kind of behavior that constitutes credibility. You don’t see that very often in the news world these days.
So, GM Authority will continue to be the best and most reputable source of GM-related information in the world. If you don’t to think so, you are more than welcome to stop visiting, and to stop commenting.
How’s your credibility doing, by the way?
I see this as a simple error from GMC. But, there is a “but”. Personally. If I were reviewing trucks/vehicles and frequently writing sub-articles on components and features. I would take pictures of all these features while reviewing the vehicle to use at a later date so more than press release photos can be featured. On top of that, things like air curtains are confirmed and observed first hand which can also lead to a better perspective when writing.
Hindsight is always 20-20, Andrew. Theory and execution are very different things.
As obsessed with cheapness as GM is on these trucks, I figured in reality it was to save money by replacing metal with plastic and leaving the metal unfinished on the ends, tucked up in there. It looks unfinished and raggedy to me, a trap for insects.
Seems like not so long ago, automakers were trying to keep air OUT of wheelwells!
I HATE The damn air curtains and the stubby bumper on the Silverado. If this works, why couldn’t they incorporate it to work through the bumper itself instead of those cheap plastic “sideburns”. Hopefully we get a front end refresh in ’21 along with the new interior.
Amen to that. They completely ruined the front end on the Silverado because of this. It’s an overly busy mess of a design. The drop down sideburn fenders, cut short stubby bumper, fish gill air scoops… Just awful.
I can’t really say I care for the swoopy front fenders nor the mini cheekbones sticking into the headlights either. Chevy is really putting their customer brand loyalty to the ultimate test with these new designs of the 1500 and HD’s both. The HD has it’s own set of bizarre design issues.