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2021 GMC Terrain Also Gains Cold Air Grille Shutter

The GMC Terrain crossover first hit production for the 2010 model year, with the second-generation model arriving for the 2018 model year. The latest 2021 GMC Terrain was expected to introduce a model refresh, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the refresh was pushed back to the 2022 model year. Nevertheless, the 2021 GMC Terrain still comes with a few changes and updates, including the addition of a Cold Air Grille shutter.

The 2021 GMC Terrain’s new Cold Air Grille Shutter is included and only available with the engine block heater. The Cold Air Grille shutter is identified using RPO code VRI, while the engine block heater is tagged with RPO code K05.

Additionally, the Cold Air Grille Shutter is automatically included on all 2021 GMC Terrain orders shipped to Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Essentially, the Cold Air Grille Shutter employs shape memory alloy springs that react to ambient air temperatures to close the shutter in freezing temperatures, thus limiting ice and moisture accumulation and ensuring optimal powertrain operation.

This feature is particularly important in colder climates where the vehicle will see frequent ice and snow, such as in the four states listed above.

The Cold Air Grille Shutter is not to be confused with active aero shutters, the latter of which open and close at higher speeds to improve vehicle aerodynamics and fuel economy.

As GM Authority reported previously, the 2021 Chevy Equinox also gains the Cold Air Grille Shutter feature.

The Cold Air Grille Shutter was originally slated to launch with the 2020 GMC Terrain, but was pushed back until the 2021 model year.

The 2021 GMC Terrain is the fourth model year of the latest second-generation vehicle, and arrives with a few small changes and updates compared to the preceding 2020 model year. These include deletion of the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder LTG engine, as well as a rename for the Driver Alert Package I to GMC Pro Safety Plus.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. The active aero shutters actually makes more sense to me, they also close when the temperature drops as well as during higher speeds. Maybe more expensive but the science is obviously there so why don’t we make improvements that use all available technology. I consider it similar to the remaining oil life indicator, that feature has improved over the years with all available technology and now it is considered a reliable indication of when you need to change your oil.
    Just my humble opinion. Stay safe.

    Reply
  2. Don’t understand the deletion of the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder LTG engine, and is subsequent replacement with a lower powered 1.5L LYX turbo four cylinder turbo. Emissions be damned!

    Reply
  3. No 2.0 means if you want to tow, you have to move up to the Acadia.

    Reply

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