Late last month, GM Authority spies caught a prototype of the upcoming 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 undergoing testing. Today, we caught yet another prototype of the upcoming 2023 Canyon AT4, but this truck is even more aggressive from an off-road standpoint, and could very much represent an even more capable version of the AT4 that we’ll refer to in this article as the AT4X.
A cursory glance at this particular truck would likely have many guess that it’s a prototype of the 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2. However, a closer look reveals that it’s actually a GMC Canyon, and not a Colorado. This is evident in the prototype’s placeholder lighting configuration, which has all the makings of a GMC product. Specifically, the placeholder headlights feature a makeshift LED signature strip at the top of the cluster followed by the primary forward lights mounted lower on the front fascia.
Prototypes for the 2021 GMC Yukon, 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 refresh, 2023 GMC Sierra HD refresh and the 2023 GMC Canyon all feature the same placeholder lighting configuration. Chevrolet prototypes, on the other hand, typically feature horizontally-oriented lights at the top of the placeholder headlight cluster followed by an LED strip at the bottom of said cluster. All this makes us conclude that this is, in fact, a GMC rather than a Chevrolet. With that out of the way, let’s delve into the mechanical details of this 2023 GMC Canyon prototype.
The initial 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 prototype featured 20-inch wheels with beefy sidewalls, but no signs of a next-level suspension system. But this new prototype rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires – the same rubber fitted to prototypes of the upcoming Chevy Silverado ZR2. Whereas the current AT4 and ZR2 trucks ride on 31-inch 265/65R17 tires, this particular prototype features 33-inch 285/70R17s. But wait, there’s more!
This particular prototype appears to be wearing MultiMatic DSSV shocks front and rear. Look closely at the rear end, and you’ll see the makings of the DSSV configuration mounted outside of the frame, rather than inside like the current Colorado ZR2. Aside from a black housing covering the typical blue-and-gold finish of the DSSV damper, the wide casing of the triple-chamber design is undisguised. It’s worth noting that a similar black DSSV housing was used in Silverado ZR2 prototypes.
There’s also even more evidence of the MultiMatic DSSV shocks at the mounting points visible on the prototype, illustrated by two images with a DSSV overlay. Specifically, the unique threaded collar on the DSSV’s piston chamber is clearly visible on this 2023 GMC Canyon AT4 prototype. At the front, we can also see a matching pin and mounting assembly that appears to be identical to the front shocks of the current Colorado ZR2.
At this point, it’s worth noting that the MultiMatic DSSV shocks are currently exclusive to the Colorado ZR2, and are not available on the GMC Canyon whatsoever, even in the offroad-oriented Canyon AT4 model.
All that brings us to wonder what, exactly, this 2023 GMC Canyon prototype is all about. Two years ago, GM Authority was the first to report, General Motors filed to trademark the AT4X name about two years ago with the Mexico Institute of Industrial Property. That filing followed in the footsteps of a 2016 filing for the same name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Put all that together, and we think it’s a fairly safe bet that the AT4X name ends up gracing the production version of the prototype seen here, with the product slotting above the “regular” Canyon AT4 as an even more capable model with MultiMatic shocks (as opposed to the Rancho shocks of the regular Canyon AT4).
If this assumption proves to be correct, then this is our very first look at what will essentially be GMC’s first-ever equivalent to the Colorado ZR2.
As GM Authority was first to report, the 2023 GMC Canyon will ride on an updated version of GM’s current GMT-31XX midsize body-on-frame architecture, which will be dubbed 31XX-2. The vehicle will get an all-new exterior and interior, along with an all-new powerplant in the form of the turbocharged 2.7L I-4 L3B gasoline motor currently offered in the Sierra 1500. In that application, the boosted four-pot is rated at a healthy 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission will handle shifting duty. The current model’s atmospheric 2.5L I-4 LCV and 3.6L V-6 LGZ, along with the 2.8L I-4 LWN turbo-diesel baby Duramax will not be offered.
GMC’s midsize pickup truck will also adopt GM’s new Global B electrical architecture – otherwise known as Vehicle Intelligence Platform, or VIP. Besides allowing for over-the-air (OTA) updates to all vehicle systems, Global B also allows for the latest in infotainment and active safety technologies.
The 2023 GMC Canyon, including the Canyon AT4, will continue to be built at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri alongside its corporate cousin, the 2023 Chevy Colorado. GM invested $1 billion into the facility specifically for the new midsize pickups.
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Comments
This is their opportunity to dethrone the Tacoma. They’ve got one chance as Toyota will be releasing a new Tacoma soon. As a former Tacoma TRD owner, it is a great truck but is flawed in seating position and engine power. Otherwise, it is a great off-road truck with excellent utility and capability.
This truck has to have equal or better build quality and materials. It needs to look tougher and more masculine. The current model is frumpy at best.
I don’t think so. When the current generation came out in 2015 it for all intents and purposes was far superior to the taco in every aspect from it’s seat to the wonderfuly smooth 3.6. to break Toyotas hold on small truck buyers and sedan car buyers you kinda need more customers and less zombies.
Toyota owns the market. So the customers are zombies because they prefer the Tacoma? Can you not admit that customers want the Tacoma over the Colorado without calling them zombies?
The Colorado was far superior in your opinion. Quality, history and reliability factor into sales. If Zombies spend money on cars, then lowercase gm needs to find out how to get their money. They’re obviously failing.
OK i’m more interested in this now, wondering if they might boost the 2.7T to the power in the CT4-v. GM please offer more than just a black interior on these AT4 trucks same with the wheels. Not everyone want’s black everything.
Might be a tune kit like GMPD offered and Ford now offers.
Just a flash and you can add up to 60 hp. It has no effect on new car emissions or mpg. Also makes for add on dealer sales.
The new Colorado/Canyon is shaping up to be a real contender as long as they get the details right. Loving the aggressive stance and tires on these prototypes.
I actually think that might be a Chevy. The main beam being separate from the DRL is more like a Blazer, and it does look a lot like the other Colorado prototypes.
Yes….keep this juicy next gen Colorado and Canyon info coming!!
Can’t wait to see the final products, todays full size trucks are too big for my needs!
Hey GM include a COPO V8 option and call them the Colorado ZRX and Canyon AT4X, because Alex is onto something! 😂
🤞
Finally LFG! GM realized they missed the premium market with the Canyon last go around when they did the Colorado only ZR2. This is good news and maybe the GM heads are taking a page from the old FCA playbook for once
How did they miss the premium market? They gave you a Canyon Denali…
Can’t even get a power sliding rear window or a sunroof as of yet,not so premium. The Tacoma has offered both for quite a while but GM has not,time to up their game.
You missed what I was saying Colorado had the ZR2 but base level trim looking stuff, Canyon failed to get it this round. Now though they looked to realize the profit margin is there
I REALLY want the diesel to stick around. I’ve got a feeling its a 1 engine show however but I sure hope the diesel stays as I want to get another one.
If this is a GMC I will buy one.
Happy that the GMC guys will finally get their ZR2. As a ZR2 owner I can say it’s been fun seeing what it can do.
My truck is almost out of warranty so I’m following the Silverado ZR2 and the new twins carefully. If they check the right boxes that I wished my ZR2 had, they’ll get more money from me.
Fingers crossed GM can make the truck I’m hoping for.
Tacoma owners don’t stress on truck running out of warranty. That factors into their sales dominance, despite the twins being better in many categories.
Nice to see they finally opened up the wheel wells for bigger tires!
You mean the 2024, I mean 2025, or 2026 Canyon…
How about we just call it the next Canyon.
I cannot wait to see the new Colorado and Canyon Trucks.
Man this looks legit.
I don’t believe this is the first ever GMC equivalent to the Chevy ZR2, they made the GMC Highrider? I don’t recall if there were any differences in the suspension, tires, etc., but I didn’t think so.
You’re spot on, the Highrider was an S10 ZR2 Version for the GMC Sonoma, same equipment.
Like I’ve written on many Automotive sites, GM trucks are designed poorly, the mirrors are ugly where they are mounted on the half tons, absolutely ruins the looks. I always hated the feminine lame looking Canyon and Colorado. I’ve been yelling at GM to design a truck that’s more muscular, tough looking. Give us a nice bulging hood, with side vents, bulging fenders and ripped sides, give us a roof rack that allows a sun roof to be used still and some cool light bars built into the grill on off road models. I’ll be honest these pictures may be an absolute home run for the Colorado and Canyon twins. They look unbelievable under the wrap so far, as far as I can see from all those tough lines everywhere. BRAVO GM!! ABOUT FREAKING TIME, NOW GIVE US MULTI COLOR INTERIORS, HUGE HORSEPOWER AND A LIFTED 4 INCH STANCE.. WOOO HOOOO
My god if you aren’t the epitome of suburban dad truck poser. Oh no a truck has ugly mirrors, it is for function dummy. Bulging hoods look silly on trucks and are useless, side vents look tacky and are never vented and ripped sides really? I promise you have some leveled version of an off road packaged truck with black wheels and aggressive tires that never leaves the pavement in the box checker version with all the luxury car gizmos. Probably an F150 with massaging seats…
A truck is a tool, who cares how it looks. Give me function, durability and capability any day. All these new trucks are having their payloads neutered by all the luxury crap. 1100 pound payload box checker trucks (that is less than a minivan) is pathetic. Car interiors that aren’t functional to use and big wheels that get scuffed at the first curb or rock, come on… Bulging fenders get sand blasted by rocks on gravel roads. Bulging hoods lets in dirt and water off road and sun roofs add weight which lower payload and are susceptible to damage both from weather and other twisting forces.
Stop designing trucks for those that don’t use them, or especially this guy Ash. If he has his way they would cost 80k for a WT base model and be useless for anything but a local run to starbucks.
YES !! There is a God. Thank You gm.
Glad to see them moving the rear shocks to an outboard location. I hope that in this change that they were also able to move the lower mount up to where the shocks aren’t hanging below the rear axle. That was a big issue with those that really tested the limits of these trucks when it came to driving over obstructions (rocks, logs, etc.) off road. If they did, it would definitely show that they listened to customers and/or the aftermarket for this change, good thing IMHO.
I am really anxious to see these trucks without camo. It looks to me, so far anyway, that they took a lot of the recommendations that have been floated on here for years about what the next midsize GM trucks should be. I really also was hoping that they would offer a diesel version, clearly it wont be the current baby diesel as its production is done. I keep hoping that they would make the 1500 Baby Dmax fit in this truck. What an absolute horse that would be.
I traded by ’18 ZR2 off last year. I liked the truck, amazing off road, I mean like exceptional. I never could get used to the 3.6. Always wished I had got the Diesel. Lastly, the 16 mpg at Interstate speed, got old, and gas was cheaper than. Good truck, just not, overall, a great truck. I think this version has the potential to truly be a great truck in all respects. Lets hope they don’t drop the ball, they are off to a great start.
the lights fit the pattern of the Blazer, too
GM clearly still hasn’t learned that no one wants an off road truck that sits 2.5″ lower in the front than the back.