GMC News: AT4X Bolster Off-Road Performance in Two GMC Models, Canyon and Sierra

[G. David Felt]

GMC started off the 2022 model year of full-size pickups with two very desirable full size truck trims for the GMC Sierra, Denali Ultimate and AT4X an upgrade to the original AT4 trim package. Yet GMC has not stopped there as they also just announced that the Next-Generation GMC Canyon will also get the AT4X Trim package. Just what is the AT4X Trim package?

As shown by GMC sales numbers, customers are liking what GMC is offering in their full-size pickups from the exterior to the updated interior such as this Sierra Denali Ultimate interior.

Many though have gone with Lifestyle choice of a full-size pickup in the strong demand for the GMC Sierra AT4X edition pickup truck.

The ultimate in off-road performance in a pickup truck is the AT4X edition.

GMC calls the 2022 Sierra AT4X a B-Roll Package covered here in their video:

To quote the press release, Sierra AT4X:

Sierra AT4X: the new peak in premium off-roading
The all-new Sierra AT4X continues GMC’s efforts to break ground in the premium truck category. The Sierra AT4X is a balanced execution that delivers advanced off-road capability when called upon without compromising the on-road comfort, tech, towing, and payload capability expected from a premium pickup.

Highlights include:

• Standard 6.2L V-8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission
• Unique Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers
• Unique springs that, with the Multimatic dampers, increase maximum front and rear suspension travel by 50 mm and 25 mm, respectively, compared with the standard AT4 suspension
• Two-speed transfer case, with selectable modes for different off-road conditions — including Terrain Mode, which allows one-pedal³ rock crawling
• Front and rear e-locking differentials, a combination not offered by any other competitor in its class⁷
• Specific off-road chassis and suspension calibrations
• Unique, larger steel transfer case shield
• 18-inch black wheels with LT265/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires
• Available rocker guard accessory

The functional features are complemented with a unique, luxury-focused AT4X Obsidian Rush interior that balances the off-roader’s capability with comfort and convenience. The cabin is awash with premium leather, including full-grain leather-wrapped and technical grain leather accents, all of which is highlighted with white piping and red stitching.  

The interior also features authentic, dark Vanta ash wood trim, best-in-class 16-way power-adjustable and massaging front seats, a premium microsuede headliner, a 15-inch-diagonal Head-Up Display, power sliding rear window, power sunroof, a 12-speaker Bose® Premium Series audio system with Center Point technology and more.

AT4X’s payload capability is 1,420 pounds⁹ and its trailering rating is 8,900 pounds⁴.

The only drawback this writer sees with the AT4X Trim package is the lack of interior choice colors as while most might be happy with an all-black interior with accent stitching, I have to think that I am not the only one that would like a warm Mocha Brown interior or Dark Green interior for their Ultimate off-road pickup.

Engine choices for the Sierra lineup are as follows:

• Enhanced 2.7L Tubo High-Output with 8 speed transmission
• 3.0L Duramax Diesel with 10 speed transmission
• 5.3L V-8 with 10 speed transmission
• 6.2L V-8 with 10 speed transmission

Base pricing for the 2022 models start at the following:

• Sierra Pro - $32,495
• Sierra SLE - $43,895
• Sierra Elevation - $45,495
• Sierra SLT - $50,895
• Sierra AT4 - $60,995
• Sierra Denali - $61,295 - Maxes out based on actual build at $87,815 fully loaded
• Sierra AT4X - $74,995 - Maxes out based on actual build at $82,620 fully loaded
• Sierra Denali Ultimate - $80,395 - Maxes out based on actual build at $92,045 fully loaded Based on a 48 month lease, you would have a $1,091 dollar a month auto payment.

For those wondering, there is a $50 discount if you choose to remove the Dynamic Fuel Management feature. On the Denali Ultimate you can opt for a $50 discount of removing the Steering Column Lock, $50 discount for removing the front and rear park assist feature.

Then we get this announcement and the only picture released as of todays announcement of the GMC Canyon AT4X trimmed 2023 Next-Generation mid-size pickup.

Like the Sierra, but without much more in details, GMC has announced this as the off-road optimized performance trim for serious capability and uncompromising refinements.

The current Canyon debuted in 2014 and has had multiple refreshed updates including the AT4 trim that brought the off-road performance package that added a 1-inch suspension leveling kit, off-road rocker panel protection, front and mid skid plates.

The Next-Generation Canyon AT4X signals the next chapter for the GMC mid-size pickup truck as the teaser image above shows that you have rocker protectors and 17-inch Beadlock-capable wheels now.

The AT4X will be the GMC Canyon's peak in premium off-roading performance for the all new 2023 Canyon reveal that will happen summer of 2022. Built off the Sierra 2022 AT4X, this is a natural evolution of offering the AT4 sub-brand to more GMC customers.

GMC has been offering professional grade trucks since 1902 selling in dozens of countries worldwide. 

Watch for the Next-Generation Reveal of the GMC Canyon Summer 2022.

Next-Generation GMC Canyon to Bolster Off-Road Performance with AT4X

Sierra (gmc.com)

GMC Introduces Its Most Luxurious, Advanced and Capable Sierra 1500 Lineup

GMC - YouTube

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[smk4565]

3 mechanical locking diffs would be better, but for what these will probably be used for the off road stuff they put in them will probably suffice. 
 

These engines are getting dated, the Jeep inline six is 420 or 510 hp, I have to imagine that ends up in the Ram next year as the Hemi’s days are numbered.  The Tundra hybrid has a big power advantage over the GM 6.2 liter as well.  I don’t know if GM plans to do anything with these powertrains or just let them die on the vine and put 100% of what they have into EV’s.  

[G. David Felt]

14 hours ago, smk4565 said:

3 mechanical locking diffs would be better, but for what these will probably be used for the off road stuff they put in them will probably suffice. 
 

These engines are getting dated, the Jeep inline six is 420 or 510 hp, I have to imagine that ends up in the Ram next year as the Hemi’s days are numbered.  The Tundra hybrid has a big power advantage over the GM 6.2 liter as well.  I don’t know if GM plans to do anything with these powertrains or just let them die on the vine and put 100% of what they have into EV’s.  

My gut is we will see programming upgrades only to these ICE engines, the days are heavily numbered on ICE and I expect far superior EV powertrains for the trucks to be coming in the next few years.

[smk4565]

7 hours ago, David said:

My gut is we will see programming upgrades only to these ICE engines, the days are heavily numbered on ICE and I expect far superior EV powertrains for the trucks to be coming in the next few years.

I watched Mark Ruess on Outline the other day, he said if he got $1 for R&D, he is going to spend the whole dollar on EV's.  So the ICE powertrains they have now are it until they are gone.  Which is a good move if people adopt EV's quickly, bad move if people don't buy EV's and keep buying ICE cars.

[ccap41]

On 4/14/2022 at 10:30 PM, smk4565 said:

 The Tundra hybrid has a big power advantage over the GM 6.2 liter as well.  

Tundra: 389hp/479tq

GM 6.2: 420hp/460tq

What "big power advantage" do you speak of? 

[ccap41]

49 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Tundra: 389hp/479tq

GM 6.2: 420hp/460tq

What "big power advantage" do you speak of? 

Sorry, you mentioned Hybrid which is significantly more powerful at 438hp/583tq. 

I am a little surprised GM hasn't hybridized their truck engines at all yet. 

[smk4565]

9 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Sorry, you mentioned Hybrid which is significantly more powerful at 438hp/583tq. 

I am a little surprised GM hasn't hybridized their truck engines at all yet. 

Yes, the Hybrid Tundra has a big power advantage.  But even the SR5 Tundra at $43k is 389 hp/479 lb-ft, you are mostly looking at Turbo 4 at GM,  maybe the 5.3 V8 or Pentastar V6 at Ram or 2.7 Ecoboost at Ford at that price.  Toyota kind of beats them all on powertrain now, plus it is based on the Lexus LS500 powertrain, so we know that engine/transmission has to be smoother and more refined than any other truck.

GM sees spending money on hybrids as a waste of R&D, Mark Ruess said they want to put everything into EV.  So I would imagine if you can still buy a gasoline Silverado in 2032, the 2.7 turbo 4 and 6.2 V8 will still be there.

[ccap41]

13 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Yes, the Hybrid Tundra has a big power advantage.  But even the SR5 Tundra at $43k is 389 hp/479 lb-ft, you are mostly looking at Turbo 4 at GM,  maybe the 5.3 V8 or Pentastar V6 at Ram or 2.7 Ecoboost at Ford at that price.  Toyota kind of beats them all on powertrain now, plus it is based on the Lexus LS500 powertrain, so we know that engine/transmission has to be smoother and more refined than any other truck.

GM sees spending money on hybrids as a waste of R&D, Mark Ruess said they want to put everything into EV.  So I would imagine if you can still buy a gasoline Silverado in 2032, the 2.7 turbo 4 and 6.2 V8 will still be there.

Even if it isn't the turbo-4 and it's the 5.3, that's still only 355hp/383tq. 

I guess I never really realized until now that they are all down a little on power/torque. 

I still think the plug-in hybrid would be a great way to get people into electric vehicles, but I'm not the one in charge of these decisions hahaha. 

[smk4565]

6 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Even if it isn't the turbo-4 and it's the 5.3, that's still only 355hp/383tq. 

I guess I never really realized until now that they are all down a little on power/torque. 

I still think the plug-in hybrid would be a great way to get people into electric vehicles, but I'm not the one in charge of these decisions hahaha. 

The turbo 4 has more torque than the 5.3 V8 so my guess is that V8 isn’t around much longer.  Much like that Wagoneer V8 I think will be gone soon because the in-line 6 makes more power.  All these V8s are probably dead by 2025.

[oldshurst442]

I remember that Mercedes canceled all of their V8 offerings not too long ago.   OK...so I read that Mercedes will bring back some of their V8s in some of their SUVs.  But Mercedes canceled their V8s.  GM hasnt canceled theirs, havent made ANY announcements of ANY cancelations OF their V8s.  (other than the fact that   will be a battery electric car company in the very near future as announced by their governing CEOs)  

 

So...hybrids are a brand new rage for full sized trucks in 2022?

 

Its as if GM never offered hybrid tech in their full sized trucks before.  

 

Like a decade ago (or even less) or anything...

Its not as if GM aint working on a full-on, 100% battery electric truck or anything...for the future as how they explained that eventually ALL their offerings will BE battery electric meaning eventually all of their internal combustion engines will be gone, not JUST their V8s. 

Yet somehow, surprisingly,  its not as if they are hard at it in keeping hard core V8 performance around in their trucks....

Yeah...that is all gone...

 

When Ford, GM's main competitor in this market,  decided to go all  turbo ecoboost V6 in this arena and provide a base engine with a helluva lot more power and torque than GM's base V8 5.3 liter.

Yeah...doom and gloom for that base 5.3 liter also happened... 

 

So...it seems that Toyoter, came up with a BRILLIANT idea to  hybrid-ize their Tundra in 2022 wheen they had Hybrid tech a decade ago

and THIS will spell doom and gloom for  .  Its actually this  now...