Battle of the HD's/SD's continues: 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 peek

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/02/future-truck-2013-gmc-sierra-1500.html



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We're told by sources that the Sierra will look significantly more different from the Chevrolet Silverado than it does today. The new Sierra features the new 3-bar grille that we've seen in spy shots of the 2011 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups -- which officially debut next month at the NTEA Work Truck Show in St. Louis -- and styling cues from the blocky "urban-industrial' GMC Granite small people-mover concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show last month. A sleeker exterior is expected to contribute to improved gas mileage. GM is also studying whether automatically opening and closing the grille inlets of its full-size pickups could improve aerodynamics and mileage.

Powertrain improvements are expected to include wide use of direct injection across the Sierra's engine lineup including, we're told, a (maybe 7.0-liter?) new large-displacement V-8 gas engine. GM's next-generation full-size hybrid technology will also arrive by 2013, with more-efficient, stronger electric motors and batteries, giving the gas-electric trucks up to 50% better towing capacity.

 

Can't say I'm a fan. Way over-done. Much like I think the 2011 Super Duty is, as well. But the SD went big from the beginning, so it's not quite as jarring a change. But "in your face" styling seems to be the trend now.