The refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra Denali was recently caught in prototype form testing on public roads, and notably, it’s equipped with visible front air curtains.
The air curtains are visible just below the headlights of this 2022 GMC Sierra Denali prototype, and are set against a white camo body finish applied to a small portion of the bumper. The feature includes horizontal slats bisecting a small vertical intake mounted in the corner of the bumper.
So far, we have yet to see these front air curtains on any other refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 prototype other than the Denali trim level. Earlier this week, GM Authority brought you additional spy photos showing prototypes of the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation and refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT, neither of which had the visible front air curtains like this Denali prototype. That said, it’s possible that the camouflage on the Elevation and SLT prototypes examined previously obscured the feature from view.
At the moment, the current 2019+ GMC Sierra 1500 also has air curtains, as does the Sierra’s corporate cousin, the Chevy Silverado 1500. However, the curtains on the Sierra are not as prominent as those on the Silverado, with the latter incorporating “sideburn” styling elements that have been the subject of much controversy among fans. To this latter point, the refreshed 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 will no longer incorporate the sideburn styling elements into the front fascia, as GM Authority covered previously.
Air Curtains on 2019 GMC Sierra
For those who may not know, the General Motors Air Curtain technology is designed to provide improved aerodynamic performance by directing oncoming air around a vehicle’s wheels, rather than into the wheelhouses. This effectively reduces drag, and thus improves a number of factors, such as vehicle fuel economy, as well as reduced noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in the cabin.
In addition to a new front and rear fascia design, the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra will feature a completely overhauled interior with a new center stack, infotainment screen, dash, and center console.
Prior to the launch of the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra, General Motors is offering the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited, a stop-gap model intended to bridge the gap between the pre-refresh 2021 model year and fully refreshed 2022 model year.
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Comments
Maybe they’ll do dual front air curtains, you know like Toyota’s dual non functional air scoops 😂 😂 😂
Will they match the drapes?
GM Authority reminds me of a politician “ a lot of words without really telling you any information “.!
The new redesigned Denali truck interior looks exactly like the 2021 Yukon Denali SUV but with a console shifter. The console shifter is great along with a larger infotainment screen; however, the dashboard looks elegant in my wife’s new Yukon Denali but it is not very “truck like” for the Sierra Denali. In fact, I prefer the more “ guy like” current interior and dashboard .
The console shifter is what I hate the most. Utterly useless except to waste space and get in the way. Took our Canyon for a road trip over the weekend, eating in the car was a huge pain with a console shifter, couldn’t put anything there. Either give me a column shift or buttons, but honestly a shifting stalk is the best idea, I really hope they incorporate that.
Yep nearly every single comment I’ve seen loves the column shifter. I’m not a fan of buttons though.
They’re actually quite a bit different IMO, the upcoming Sierra has the infotainment screen quite a bit higher up for example. I think the current Silverado/Sierra have the most “truck like” interior but people seem to rather have fancy interiors even for trucks. The Ram’s Tesla-like vertical screen is not in any way trucklike.
Research Vaccine infection enhancement. GMC if you mandate this it’ll be the last one I own EVER.
Oh Jesus, you’re one of those anti vaxxers nimrods who has no clue what they are talking about. I hope they do just to spite you. Chances are you aren’t in their demographic or able to afford one anyway. Leave politics out of here…
What a disappointment, so it took gm 3 years to put a 2 year old SUV interior in the trucks. Nice to see air curtains, they were so popular on the Silverado that they discontinued them.
They aren’t discontinuing them, just incorporating them better. Many other vehicles have them for a reason.
The Silverado/Sierra got the new T1 platform before the Tahoe/Yukon but the Tahoe/Yukon received an updated interior first. I’d say it’s a good tradeoff.
GM was going for functionality for their truck interiors even if that wasn’t quite where the market was headed.
Other truck makers are starting to copy GM’s air curtain idea, the 2022 Nissan Frontier and the upcoming Tundra both have air curtains. That tells you it was a great idea.
I just want to know when we can expect more info on the fully refreshed model. The Silverado is debuting this week. When will we see pics and be able to order the fully new Sierra Denali? I’m excited for the new center stack and the T1. I could go either way on the gear shifter.
Not a fan of the dash like the bigger screen though… the big question is when will consumers get these trucks?.. i ordered a 2021 Denali months ago and yet to see it… was gonna go for the 2022 but no one could seem to give me a date when id see it..