As its Chevy brother soaks up all the limelight with its snazzy new duds, the next GMC Sierra has been spotted wearing some thin camouflage, continuing its testing before it debuts fully on March 1.
This prototype looks much the same as the last GMC Sierra we caught testing, save for some strange wheel wells. You’ve heard of the squagle, right? I’m talking about a square bagel. Created by a few intrepid bakers, it was strange, unnatural, and totally unnecessary.
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The wheel wells on this 2019 GMC Sierra fall into the same category as a squagle. Round(ish) on the leading edge with a square back end, the units shown here are like nothing else this author has ever seen. There is a very good chance that the shape we see here is nothing more than some visual trickery thanks the neatly applied camouflage. It is dearly hoped that is the case.
We also can’t see GM going through the development and expense of producing two different fenders and box skins for the Silverado and Sierra. If they do, it’ll be the first time in recent memory that the GM brothers wear different major sheet metal panels.
Like the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado that bowed in time for this month’s Detroit Auto Show, the Sierra will get a major redo for 2019 with a significant revision that keeps some conservative construction methods but sheds hundreds of pounds of weight compared to the outgoing model. Expect the doors, hood, and tailgate – anything that swings outward, really – to be made of aluminum.
On the GMC, these spy photos sure seem to reinforce the argument that it will feature a blocky, upright grille and light setup that’ll run counter to the Silverado’s new rounded face and skinny headlamps. Prominent LED running lights front and rear look to be standard even on mid-range models based on these new photos. Fancy-pants Denali versions are expected to get a full-LED setup.
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Peering through the camo, the new Sierra’s peepers seem to be illuminated in a gentle c-shape, similar to that which is found on the new Terrain. Vertical fog lamps occupy the bumper space below the headlights on one of the mules. Both trucks have the G M C badge placed a lot higher on the grille than the current model. The grille itself looks bigger, too.
There’s no reason to think the GMC will get different powertrains than the Silverado V8s, meaning a 5.3-liter V8 will stand duty alongside the fantastic sounding 6.2-liter mill and new 3.0-liter inline-six diesel. The big V8 and the diesel will also get start/stop technology. It is a safe bet that base models will continue with a six-speed automatic, with 10-speeds showing up on snazzier trims. Also reserved for higher trims will be the power up/down tailgate.
The Sierra will be shown at a special event in Detroit on March 1.
