2008 Gmc 2500hd Crew Cab Sle Z71 4x4 Diesel Clean on 2040-cars

Auto blog

GM readying aluminum-body fullsize pickups

Ford's extensive use of aluminum in its 2015 F-150 is a big deal. A really big deal. Big enough, in fact, that General Motors is reportedly changing its fullsize pickup strategy. According to The Wall Street Journal, The General has locked in partnerships with Alcoa Inc. and Novelis Inc. - companies that will supply aluminum for the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.
"Ford's introduction of the 2015 F-150 pickup truck was a game changer, and it's the first, not the last, conversion of this type," Novelis spokesperson Charles Belbin told the Journal. The switch to aluminum has allowed Ford to shave roughly 700 pounds off its fullsize truck's curb weight. And while official mileage ratings have not been announced, the weight loss should go a long way for improving efficiency, especially when combined other efficiency-minded improvements including better aerodynamics and new, turbocharged V6 engines.
Of course, aluminum-bodied cars are nothing new. But extensive use of aluminum in a major, best-selling product like the Ford F-150 is expected to kick off widespread use of this weight-saving material as availability rises and cost decreases. The WSJ reports that GM had originally explored the idea of moving to aluminum pickups back in 2008, but abandoned the idea due to cost concerns amid economic woes.

2020 GMC Sierra gets small price bumps, package discounts and tweaks

A couple of months ago we covered a brace of changes GMC made to the 2020 Sierra 1500. Those included availability of the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque, the 5.3-liter V8 getting the 10-speed automatic transmission, the CarbonPro Editions debuting for AT4 and Denali trims, and a new bed view camera. But GMC has made a few more smaller changes throughout, as GM Authority found, part of a detailed overhaul among GM's pickup lines that's already changed trim names, trim volume, and prices on the Chevrolet Canyon and GMC Colorado. We'll start with MSRP adjustments on the 2020 Sierra: 4WD drivetrains in SLT, and the AT4, and Denali trims that only come in 4WD, see a price increase of $200. There are also more MSRPs to consider this year, with a handful of new Elevation models filling price gaps.  The only changes inside are AT4-logoed all-weather floor liners that come standard for that trim, and adaptive cruise control joining the Driver Alert Package II available on the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Speaking of packages, the Value Packages represent truth in advertising. The new base-model Sierra Sierra Value Package costs $860 to combine the Convenience Package and Trailering Package. Those two cost $1,640 when ordered separately. Sticking with the base trim, the Chrome Exterior Package disappears because the chrome bumpers it added are now the standard finish. Black bumpers front and rear can be ordered at no charge, and the 17-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels can be ordered alone. One trim up, the SLE Value Package lumps Convenience and Trailering, too, but it only costs $380, which is $15 less than the Trailering Package by itself. The Elevation Value Package gets cut by $1,330 to $585. On the AT4 trim, GMC dropped the price of the CarbonPro Package from $1,060 to $560, and the Premium Package comes down by $500 as well. The same $500 discount applies to the SLT Premium Package. The new 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the optional engine on the base, SLE, and Elevation trims, saving $235 on the first trim and $395 on the other two compared to ordering the standard 4.3-liter EcoTec V6. Smokey Quartz Metallic exterior paint is expected to disappear come Q2. Two new wheels enter the range in the upper reaches, one being a 20-inch Carbon Grey painted rim available on the AT4 CarbonPro Edition.

Watch the live reveal of the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra [UPDATE]

UPDATE: The trucks have been revealed. Click here for all of the official details.
As promised, Chevrolet and GMC are offering a live webcast of the world premiere for the all-new 2014 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500. After being teased with spy shots and blurry images like the one above for ages, now is the time to see the trucks in the metal, for real (well, as 'real' as it gets on a webcast, at any rate).
Shift your eyes down just below to see the reveal as it happens, starting at 9:30 AM EST. We anticipate having loads of images full technical information to share after the webcast, too, so truck aficionados should stay tuned. We'll also be bringing you live images of both trucks too, when we see them on the show floor at next month's Detroit Auto Show.