PREVIEW
Riding a wave of praise for the redesigned Sierra light-duty pickup, GMC follows up with the 2015 Sierra 3500HD heavy-duty pickup truck. The same interior upgrades found in the base model migrate to the big workhorses, among them higher-quality upholstery and materials on the dash and door panels, larger touchscreens to control entertainment and hands-free phone functions, a new six-gauge instrument cluster and a quieter cabin.
The heavy-duty trucks share the same square-jawed exterior poise seen on their new light-duty counterpart, although a new sealed front-end design draws cooler intake air from outside the engine compartment rather than the hotter environment under the hood. A new double-cab model with conventional front-hinged doors replaces the former extended cab and joins regular and crew cab configurations. The new heavy-duty pickup also offers 6.5- and 8-foot bed lengths, although regular cab models are only available with the long bed.
Engine selection carries over from the current model, with a 6.0-liter V8 making 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional turbocharged 6.6-liter diesel V8 makes 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque, sent through a beefier six-speed automatic with manual shift control.
If you need commercial truck capability for large loads or hauling, the Sierra 3500HD offers a payload capacity of nearly 7,400 pounds, a towing capacity of 19,600 pounds with the factory hitch (up to 23,200 pounds with a fifth-wheel setup), and available single- or dual-rear wheel configurations. GMC officials say they've also further refined available Sierra HD features like automatic grade braking, diesel exhaust braking and trailer sway control.
Bumper corner steps and the EZ Lift and Lower tailgate make it easier to load and access cargo in the bed, while optional safety features include forward collision alert, lane departure warning, a driver seat with vibrating alert, and front and rear parking assist.
Check back for a full review of the new 2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD, including specs, driving impressions and buying advice as it becomes available.
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