GMC Shows More of its Detroit-Bound Sierra All Terrain HD Concept

We first reported on the new GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept in mid-December, but since then, General Motors has released a slew of new photos. The updated gallery includes the first photos of the design study's interior that has been spruced up with higher quality and more luxurious materials than the standard Sierra, upon which it is based.

Set to debut at next week's North American International Auto Show, GMC says the concept model is an exploration of heavy-duty truck capability combined with greater off-road versatility. Even if the Sierra All Terrain HD Concept doesn't make it as is onto the road, chances are that it will inspire a future production version. Full HD gallery after the break.

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GMC Previews Sierra All Terrain HD Concept Ahead of Detroit Show

General Motors will be presenting an ultra-tough concept study based on the four-door 2011 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck at the rapidly approaching Detroit Motor Show in mid-January. The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD study is highlighted by its rough n' tough exterior design and enhanced all-road capability.

Shorter in overall length than production Sierra HD models, the concept boasts a unique five-foot, eight-inch Crew Cab/short box body configuration with the wheels pushed to corners of the vehicle.

It also features a wider, 73-inch (1,853 mm) track for greater stability and approximately 3 inches (76 mm) greater ground clearance for a total of 21.1 inches (536 mm) at the rockers and 11.8 inches (300 mm) at the skid plates.

To improve its off-road prowess, GMC retuned and upgraded the suspension with specialized Fox off-road shocks, while the All Terrain HD also features electronic disconnection of the front stabilizer bar at the push of a button. The 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 35-inch-tall BFGoodrich mud terrain tires and the full composite underbody protection that shields the transmission, drivetrain, fuel tank, exhaust system and axle differentials, round off the package.

Motivation comes from GM's new production 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 that delivers 397 horsepower and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm), and is matched to a six-speed auto.

The concept also features four-wheel drive, with automatic locking front and rear differentials, and 14-inch, four-wheel disc brake system from the production Sierra HD.

General Motors did not say if it has plans to develop a production version of the concept, but given that it is based on the 2011 Sierra HD, we wouldn't be surprised if the automaker launched a similarly flavored variant in the near future.

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