GMC's Denali turns 4 wheels, and heads

BY BARRY SPYKER
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS

GMC is celebrating a centennial of sorts this year. It was in 1902 that Max and Morris Grabowsky laid the foundation for the company when they sold their first truck to a dry cleaning company. Had a one-cylinder engine, right-hand steering and wood-spoke wheels.

The first trucks with the GMC logo appeared in 1911 and, ever since, this company has worked to establish trends in trucking, rather than follow them.

''Trucks are what were all about,'' boasted the ads for General Motors truck division in the late '70s.

GMC pioneered four-wheel brakes in the 1920s and diesel technology in 1939, introduced amphibious military vehicles during World War II, and in 1958 developed aluminum tilt-cab tractors. In 1970, GMC offered one of the first sport utilities, the GMC Jimmy.

The truck makers latest innovation can be found on the new Sierra Denali. It is called Quadrasteer -- four-wheel steering -- and the Denali is the first full-size pickup in the industry to have it. Expect to find it on more General Motors trucks, and elsewhere.

What this remarkable system does is reduce the Denalis turning diameter 21 percent to 37.4 feet -- about as tight as a Saturn coupe. If you think that makes it easier to get in and out of driveways and tight parking spaces, youre exactly right.

It turned a few heads at the shopping center, but most probably didnt notice the rear wheels in action. Maybe they just thought I was one heckuva driver.

Heres how it works: A conventional hydraulic power steering in the front combines with electrically powered rear-wheel steering. The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels at lower speeds, and in the same direction at higher speeds.

''GMC and Sierra are poised to forever change public perception that big trucks are hard to handle,'' says Sam Mancuso, Sierra brand manager.

If you tow frequently, you may appreciate the 4WS system more than anyone. It will make backing a long trailer into a parking space at a 90-degree angle considerably easier. Or backing a boat down an occupied ramp.

On the highway, the Denalis 4WS offers improved stability, too. That means safer lane changes in wet and windy weather. And it also means less trailer sway, GMC says.

Traction is improved with Denalis all-wheel-drive system -- another first in a pickup, introduced just last year.

The Denali, renamed from last years Sierra C3, is available only as an extended-cab short box pickup.

You should find the 6.0-liter V8 has all the power youll need -- 325 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, and 370 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Now with all that muscle, expect the Denali to be fond of drinking. GMC says 11 mpg in the city, 14 highway. Thats with an empty cargo bed and no small yacht behind you. Knock off a few more miles per gallon for that.

But acceleration is strong and the responsiveness is good, especially for a truck. I found the ride to be stable, and there was little body roll on corners. It handled well on pavement and stuck to the dirt and gravel, too.

While one onlooker compared the interior to that of a luxury car, there was less than a luxury-ride feel on the road. The driver can select smooth or firm ride, but even the smooth caused some school bus-style passenger bouncing.

The two-tone gray leather seats did offer a air of luxury, though. The front of the cabin is plenty roomy, with headroom and legroom galore. Doors open wide, and rear doors open in reverse of the front. Somehow, that frequently caused the driver and passenger behind to get in each others way as they exited. I suppose its best for passengers to wait for front-seat occupants to get out first.

Rear-seat passengers get their own air-conditioning vents, cup holders and audio controls.

A deep center console contains a change holder, and there's a separate, shallow container on top of that. All four doors have storage compartments.

The instrument panel has a large speedometer and four smaller gauges, include one transmission temperature. The Denali comes with OnStar, GMs satellite communications and security system.

If you find yourself in need of even more cargo space than the bed can handle, the rear seat can loosen with a wrench and be removed through either door.

The Sierra 1500 line is comprised of nearly three dozen models in a broad range of prices, starting at $17,408. The price more than doubles, to more than $43,000, for the top-of-the-line Denali.

That substantial price jump could jolt a few. But, with the uniqueness that Quadrasteer brings to the Denali, it should not be ignored as an option. If you plan to be trailering, or just like a truck you dont have to fear in a mall parking lot, the Denali is worth a comparison test drive.

Barry Spyker is the Herald's automotive editor. He can be reached by e-mail at bspyker@herald.com.

June 11, 2002
- TOP STORIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Business news in brief

Canadian auto sector urges renewed health spending

Citation Tool cuts 250 workers

Firestone names Emkes head of N. American tires

Ford appoints new chief executive for credit arm

Germany's Ford-Werke names new chief executive

Goodyear workers file age discrimination lawsuit

Industry report

Kia Motors plans to double U.S. sales by 2010, improve quality

Kia sets quality, car safety as long-term goals

More vacation time on CAW wish list

Options become expense for Ford

Suppliers team up, build SUV

More headlines from Reuters

cars home