For when that Hummer is a bit too much
This is the GMC Sierra EV, a fully electric alternative to the regular GMC Sierra pickup. Like that car, the electric GMC Sierra is a technical sibling of a model named Chevrolet Silverado, but there’s more difference than you might think.
Just some context. GMC operates in the General Motors range just above Chevrolet, but under a brand like Cadillac. Under the name Denali, it has expanded this luxury position with all kinds of extra luxury variants in recent years. An important product for GMC is, how could it be otherwise, its ‘full-size’ pick-up truck. The GMC Sierra is the technical brother of the Chevrolet Silverado, but distinguishes itself with, among other things, a different nose and said more luxurious decoration.
Chevrolet now has a fully electric Silverado, which is just as unimaginative as it is effective Chevrolet Silverado EV. GM does things a little differently than Ford does. Where the Ford F-150 Lightning is ‘simply’ an F-150 with an electric powertrain, the Chevrolet Silverado EV is a completely unique model that is run alongside the regular Silverado. It even has its own ‘skeleton’, in which the battery partly takes over the role of the separate chassis that is the norm in pick-ups.
Big differences
The GMC Sierra EV is based on this Chevrolet Silverado EV and thus also uses its structure as a basis. However, the cars are quite different from each other. With the doors it can still be seen that in principle it is the same product, but even the sheet metal on those doors is not entirely the same. Before and after, the two distance themselves even more. After the rear door, the Silverado slopes remarkably obliquely towards the box, with the GMC the rear of the cabin is almost straight. The taillights have a different shape and the nose is completely different.
The GMC has striking, typical LED ‘corners’ as headlights, although the actual main lighting is presumably in the unit in the bumper. The contours of a grille are still visible. The panel inside is, depending on the version, in body color or in black, with the latter version very much like a grille due to its profiling. The Sierra, of course, has a large frunk, which in the case of a pick-up is actually the only lockable luggage compartment of any size.
Folding partition wall
Inside, apparently nothing at all refers to the Silverado. The GMC has its own design for the dashboard, with many clean, horizontal lines around a correctly vertically placed screen. In the back we come across a practical solution that is shared with the Chevrolet: a folding partition. By folding the bench and wall flat, an even longer and partly covered loading platform is created. If that is not enough, then a trailer of up to 4,309 kg can be taken along.
Even under the skin there are clear differences between the Sierra and the Silverado. Where the latter has to manage in the best case scenario with 673 hp and 1,057 Nm – the poor thing – the GMC Sierra EV has 765 hp and 1064 Nm. Naturally, the power comes from two electric motors, each of which takes care of an axle. GMC does not mention battery capacity, but estimates that the Sierra will go 400 miles on a full charge. Recharging is fast, because thanks to 800 Volt technology, the ‘truck’ on the fast charger would reach up to 350 kW.
Crab walk
While impressive, the GMC Sierra EV is, in fact, GMC’s “baseline EV.” The Hummer EV is also formally a GMC and that car crushes all its competitors when it comes to hard numbers. The Sierra borrows an interesting feature from the Hummer: ‘Crabwalk’, which allows it to slide more or less sideways over the tarmac. Those who prefer the Sierra to a Hummer will have to be patient. The latest model will only appear on the market in 2024, first of all in a special introduction version. Other versions will follow in 2025 and experience has shown that the demand for these types of vehicles far exceeds the supply.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl