New GMC Sierra EV is a 1064Nm super-ute, tows 4300kg
US giant General Motors is now an electric ute triple threat.
It has unveiled the full-size GMC Sierra EV Denali pick-up, joining the GMC Hummer and Chevrolet Silverado EV in its line-up.
Among others, the three GM utes will tackle the Ford F-150 Lightning, the Tesla Cybertruck (yet to launch) and the RAM 1500 EV (yet to be seen), as well as the recently-launched Rivian R1T.
It is also the latest electric reveal from GM, which has also recently shown the Cadillac Celestiq ultra-luxury car and Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox BEV SUVs.
A Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 dual cab launch model will be seen first in early 2024 with a starting price of US$107,000 (AUD$171,000).
Cheaper trims will be offered in the 2025 model year with pricing kicking off about US$50,000 ($78,000).
As per the Hummer and Chev, the Sierra EV Denali is based on GM’s Ultium EV architecture, powertrains and battery tech. It shares little more than its name with GMC Sierras with ICE drivetrains.
GMC is claiming big numbers for the Sierra EV Denali to go with the big price.
The dual-motor e4WD all-wheel drive powertrain pumps out more than 560kW and 1064Nm in Max Power mode, which also delivers a 4.5 sec 0-96km/h time.
GMC also claims a 640km range on a full charge. The Sierra EV Denali comes with 800V DC fast charging capability at speeds up to 350kW. That equates to 160km of range in just 10 minutes.
It also includes a 19.2kW onboard AC charging module for home and public charging
The claimed maximum braked towing capability is about 4300kg – or 800kg more than the best achieved by mid-sized diesel utes like the Toyota HiLux and about 200kg less than the petrol V8 Silverado and RAM 1500 full-size utes sold in Australia.
However, the payload is only 590kg compared to the HiLux and its rivals, which can carry a tonne in many variants.
All these numbers will vary for other Sierra EVs as they launch such as the AT4 (pictured top).
The Sierra EV Denali come with an onboard power station that provides up to 10kW of off-board power through 10 outlets – very handy for those Texas winter ice storms.
It also includes four-wheel steer crabwalk (first seen on the Hummer), regen on demand braking, one pedal driving and air spring adaptive suspension.
The tech continues in the cabin where the Sierra EV Denali features a 16.8-inch infotainment portrait touchscreen, an 11-inch instrument panel, a 14-inch HUD, hands-free start and hands-free towing compatible Super Cruise that’s compatible with 700,000km of US and Canadian roads.
A 360 degree camera provides an all-round view via 14 cameras.
The chances of an Australian presence for the GMC Sierra EV are unknown. The first EV ute to launch in Australia, the Chinese LDV eT60, is now going on-sale.
