General Motors has officially declared the start of the full-size pickup truck era in Korea with the launch of the Sierra, the first model from GMC’s domestic debut.
The Sierra, GMC’s flagship model, is the first full-size pickup truck to be officially launched in Korea, available exclusively in the high-end Denali trim. Representing a true American pickup, the Sierra features a full box frame body, powerful performance, towing capabilities, convenience, and practicality, while also targeting a premium lifestyle customer base with advanced luxurious amenities.
Roberto Rempel, the president, stated, “Today marks a significant moment for GMC as we unveil the Sierra truck, pushing the boundaries of premium and presenting it to Korean customers. Each brand from Chevrolet to Cadillac and GMC is designed to offer customers a broader selection of vehicles,” he added. Rempel emphasized that they can deliver the experience of ‘a true American premium brand’ for those who want better mainstream vehicles or wish to experience the premium and luxury segments.
Molly Peck, GMC and Buick’s chief marketing officer, expressed excitement about introducing GMC in Korea, a strategically important market for GM, emphasizing the brand’s longstanding heritage since 1902 in Michigan’s Detroit, as a leading prestige brand in the premium SUV and pickup truck market.
Molly further stated, “The Denali name is inspired by Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America, symbolizing the ambitions of the Sierra Denali to be the best.”
Jung Jung-yoon, GM Korea’s chief marketing officer, expressed confidence that the newly launched GMC Sierra offers a bold design and impressive size that distinctly sets it apart from standard pickup trucks. He believes it perfectly targets the persona of customers pursuing trendy and diverse premium lifestyles, particularly successful male professionals and businessmen in their 40s and 50s.
Carlos Minert, vice president of sales and service, stated, “No other pickup truck in Korea can match the performance and attractive design of the Sierra. It delivers explosive performance that ensures an entirely new driving experience in any driving environment.”
Launched in 1987, the Sierra has evolved through five generations and now represents GMC’s flagship model. The Sierra officially introduced in Korea is a five-passenger Crew Cab short box model in the luxurious Denali trim, showcasing impressive dimensions of 5,890mm in length, 2,065mm in width, and 1,950mm in height.
The vehicle features a front fascia signature Denali chrome grille, C-shaped signature LED daytime running lights, dual full LED projection headlamps, body-colored bumpers with chrome inserts, chrome front tow hooks, and chrome outside mirrors, all of which collectively establish a luxurious and bold impression unique to the Sierra Denali.
The Sierra is available in five exterior colors: Avalon White Pearl, Tuxedo Black, Pacific Blue, Volcano Red, and Rush Gray, with interior color options of Jet Black and Brownstone.
In celebration of the Sierra’s first sale in Korea, the Denali-X special edition features a black GMC emblem on the front and rear, GMC logo projection puddle lamps, mudguards mounted at the bottom of the front and rear wheelhouses, and tailgate step lighting for safe loading and unloading in low-light conditions. LED lamps and premium accessories are extensively incorporated throughout the vehicle to enhance the luxurious style unique to the Denali-X.
The interior space of the Sierra boasts overwhelming dimensions that exceed expectations for a pickup truck.
With a second-row legroom of 1,102mm, passengers can enjoy a spacious and comfortable area comparable to that of the first row. Additionally, ample storage solutions are provided, including a wide and deep upper glove compartment in the IP, a center console, hidden storage in the backs and bottoms of the second-row seats, and various stowage areas for the convenience of occupants.
Sierra’s impressive interior incorporates perforated natural leather seats adorned with Denali logos, Galvano chrome, open-pore wood showcasing natural textures, and aluminum chrome garnish, harmonizing to create a premium environment unique to the Sierra Denali.
The vehicle features a driver-focused display with a 13.4-inch high-resolution color touchscreen, a digital color cluster of 12.3 inches that can be switched among four modes, and a 15-inch multi-color head-up display, providing an intuitive view and high usability with a combined screen size of 40.7 inches.
The Sierra is equipped with advanced features, including a rear display room mirror providing up to 300 percent improved rear visibility through a dedicated high-resolution wide-angle camera. It also features a digital surround vision camera providing real-time situational awareness from all angles through four cameras, and a GMC infotainment system delivering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay without cable connections. Additionally, the MultiPro Power Step, which can move into three positions, is included for the convenience of entering and exiting the vehicle and accessing the cargo bed.
Constructed with a high-strength full box frame, the Sierra offers outstanding towing capabilities of up to 3,945kg and includes features such as a hitch view camera, a trailer hitch receiver and connector, hitch lights, and trailer assist guidelines, all designed to facilitate easy trailer attachment.
The Sierra comes equipped with a StabiliTrak body control system that includes sway control, an integrated trailer brake system that adjusts brake pressure based on trailer load, and a blind spot warning system that detects up to the trailer zone, actively addressing various situations that may arise during trailer operations to prevent accidents and ensure a stable towing environment.
The Sierra’s cargo bed features the world’s first 6-function MultiPro tailgate, exclusive technology from GM, allowing it to take on different forms based on user needs, providing high space utilization and convenient access.
Additional features such as the cargo bed handle, corner steps, and corner pockets assist users in easily navigating to the cargo area, while the spray-on bedliner featuring the Denali logo prevents slippage during loading and protects the bed from scratches.
Furthermore, LED cargo lamps positioned above the rear glass and on the sides of the cargo bed, the easy-lift assist tailgate, high-output 400W 230V power outlet located in the bed, and the bed view camera exemplify the attentive details that maximize cargo space utilization, typical of an authentic American pickup truck.
True to its American full-size pickup truck heritage, the Sierra is equipped with top-tier performance and safety features. The engine is a 6.2-liter V8 direct injection gasoline engine, producing an explosive performance with a maximum output of 426 horsepower and maximum torque of 63.6kg•m. Alongside a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Sierra enhances fuel efficiency through GM’s unique Dynamic Fuel Management system.
Equipped with GM’s all-wheel-drive technology, the AutoTrac active 4×4 system, along with various driving modes, the Sierra promises exceptional driving performance in any road condition. For extreme off-road driving, it includes a differential locking device and 22-inch tires. With real-time damping adaptive suspension and heavy-duty engine air filters, as well as heavy-duty exterior coolers, the Sierra maintains optimal driving performance under all circumstances.
The Sierra is outfitted with a total of six airbags, including advanced front seat airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags, ensuring passenger safety during collision events. Additionally, the vehicle features a comprehensive 360-degree accident prevention system, including adaptive cruise control, front automatic emergency braking systems, front collision warning systems, front pedestrian detection and braking systems, lane change and blind spot warning systems, rear cross-traffic warning, and pedestrian warning systems.
Moreover, advanced safety specifications include a driver’s seat haptic warning system, smart high beam, hill descent control, and DuraLife brake rotors, ensuring comprehensive safety features are integrated.
A dedicated GMC Premium Care service and specialized service centers will be established for customers who purchase the Sierra. Customers will benefit from express services for regular vehicle check-ups and simple consumable services within the warranty period (3 years, 60,000km) without prior reservation. Moreover, they can utilize the ‘Pickup & Delivery Service’ for unlimited repairs at a location of their choice during the warranty period.
Customers will also receive a ‘Consumable Replacement Package Service’ that provides free replacements for five consumables, including engine oil (up to 5 times) and air conditioning filters (up to 3 times). In addition, GMC will establish a dedicated brand call center and open 52 dedicated GMC service centers, with plans to expand this to 84 centers by mid-2023 to enhance its domestic service network.
The price for the Denali trim is set at 93.3 million won, while the Denali-X special edition will cost 95 million won, available for contract from today through the GMC website.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr
