Back in August, GM Authority was the first to report that the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 would offer a new special edition model. Now, that model has been revealed as the new Off-Road Performance Edition, offering enhanced capability to provide customers with the confidence to “venture into rugged off-road environments, all while maintaining the premium comforts they have come to expect from GMC,” per a recent GMC press release.
The automaker states that the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 Off-Road Performance Edition is designed specifically for “off-road courses or embarking on a weekend adventure,” and comes with greater maneuverability, extensive underbody protection, and a more aggressive approach angle.
Making the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 Off-Road Performance Edition unique is a new factory-installed suspension leveling kit, as a well as a delete for the front air dam that improves approach angle a further 35 percent – up to nearly 30 degrees.
The special edition pickup also comes with new rocker panel protectors and new aluminum skid plates, which combine with the AT4’s standard underbody protection to armor the majority of the powertrain. The front and mid skid plates are made from 5/32-inch aluminum, and are mounted to protect the lower radiator, the steering gear, the front diff, and the oil pan.
Final touches for the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 Off-Road Performance Edition include 17-inch Gloss Black wheels, Carbon Black AT4 logos, and a Gloss Black performance exhaust system. The truck also comes with fresh gear in the interior and the bed thanks to new accessory floor liners and a spray-in bedliner.
“When customers are looking for a capable off-road truck, we know that they want improved vehicle height as well as additional protection,” said GMC Marketing Director Rich Latek.
As a reminder, the 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 debuted back in January, and comes standard with 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires, unique off-road suspension, an Advanced Hill Descent Control System, 4WD, and an Eaton G80 Rear Automatic Locking Differential.
The new 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 Off-Road Performance Edition will be available to order later this year. Exact pricing information is expected closer to release.
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Comments
The regular AT4 should have all of this equipment. It is a huge disappointment.
They only came out with the AT4 sub brand a couple of years ago. They are already watering it down by having an Acadia AT4 and this Canyon AT4.
Anything AT4-related is selling like hotcakes, so clearly the true wants and need of the market are very different from what you perceive them to be.
This PKG will should appeal to a lot of buyers. Not everyone needs the capability of a Colorado ZR2 but want a little more than a regular Canyon AT4 or Colorado Z71. Nothing wrong with that. GM was never going to make a Canyon AT4 AEV Bison Edition. They already have that with a Bowtie on the grill.
Again—–COPO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buying “packages” is crazy money. If GM puts it in any truck, you should be able to put it in your truck. This BS, that it’s too difficult to build special order trucks ’causes more costs, is just that, BS. If it’s in the building, one should be able to put it in your build. These things cost sooo much now, one should be able too order ANY thing GM makes, and have built into your rig. It’s just getting WAY too costly to have to buy what GM says you have too. This instead of building the truck YOU want. I’m just gonna keep my old iron.
This is just an all terrain with an emblem change. It is similar to the off road package Chevy had under the ZR2.
This is a great vehicle for anyone who wants to build their own truck and not have to deal with the extra cost items like the shocks on the ZR package.
Here’s a novel idea…. Let the potential owner build this truck the way He Wants It. ALA, a real COPO style build sheet. If GM puts it in SOMETHING, we as the ultimate consumers, should be able to build it any way we want. The people on the line ,don’t care whats going in, or on it. I guess it’s just keeping, too “simple stupid”. It kills me how much theses new toys cost, and one can’t purchase want one wants, unless you buy the “package”. I’m done buying new. I’ll keep my “Old” Chevy iron. It’s better looking anyway.
That’s actually a good idea
Speaking of COPO style ordering. Back in the late ’70’s, early ’80’s, GM said you could only get a Big Block in a 2 wheel drive Pick up. But…..If you knew how to have the dealer order it, you COULD get a Big Block in a K30. I know, cause I had one. It took awhile to get it, but it was worth the wait. Tried to get one in a K10, waited forever, and gave up. K30 yes, K10 no. So, my son and I built our own. Then went Sand Draging. So yes Virginia, there is a COPO program, if you have connections.
This Canyon may be an option for me. I really like the Sierra AT4 CarbonPro Duramax, but fullsize trucks today have gotten SO big, that they’re just not practical FOR ME. I miss my old, beloved 1960 Apache 10 2WD long bed, with the bulletproof 283 V8 and the “Toploader” 4 speed manual with the granny low 1st gear. Although I admit it was a single cab, with a long bed it was still 4″ wider than a Canyon, but it was lower, AND shorter than a Canyon Crew cab, short bed.
Yes, I Know, apples & Oranges, but another plus was that even though it was beat completely to death, it started right up every time. I sold that truck 35+ years ago and I still miss it.
Just saw the new Gladiator, supposedly this is the segment for the Canyon. However, the Gladiator’s suspension gives the buyer a ton of after market advantages. This unit was lifted to except 37″ Nitto’s. The mat green color enhanced with the large offset black wheels outlined in red. I’m sure the owner did his home work regarding gearing to handle the massive tire/wheel package. Along with after market bumpers. Now….question for the marketing chief @ GMC. How about offering gear ratio’s that will accept larger tires. The powertrain also needs some work. The 4 cylinder twin turbo with the 10 speed already offered in the T2 units. My brother just purchased the 2020 Ranger. Very nice power train. Need any more feedback let me know. AT4 needs to stand against the competition.
Good news: We’re gonna get that improved powertrain you’re asking for, the 2.7 turbo with the 10 speed auto.
Bad news: They’re gonna make us wait until the 2023 model year to get it.
Or you can spend the 15 or 20K to get the Callaway supercharged 410HP 3.6 right now. With a warranty even!
15 to 20k for 102HP? Yeah, I wouldn’t either…
The keep offers all this at an added cost. Things add up fast on the keep well beyond the ZR.
As for the 2.7 I expect a tune kit for 70hp over the increased HP for about $400.
COPO was a cool thing back in the day. Today the problem is it adds cost to a build and more expenses. This decreases the profits and or increases costs.
This is why we have packages today. If they know a specific group of items are often order it is cheaper to group them in.
That is why thinks like tilt wheel and power Windows are standard in most vehicles as it is cheaper to include them vs making them optional.
To do a COPO package would add costs and hurt profits.
When moving away from packages it cost more to pick and choose things. This is why so many things are standard today like power Windows, tilt wheel etc.