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GM files for Z71 Trail Boss trademark

Try as they might to keep their plans a secret, automakers have their hands tipped through a variety of methods – be they through loose lips, spy shots or patent and trademark applications. That's how we know, in this instance, that General Motors is working on (or at least considering) an off-road machine wearing the name Z71 Trail Boss – the name which our compatriots at AutoGuide.com tell us that GM has registered for use on light-duty trucks. Now if that alphanumeric designator sounds familiar, it should. GM has long used it to designate the off-road packages on many of its body-on-frame trucks from Chevy and GMC. These days you can order a Z71 package on the Chevy Colorado, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban and on the GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon. The package typically includes components like a beefed-up suspension bits, high-capacity air cleaner and underbody protection plates. The Trail Boss designator would seem to suggest something further reaching than a suspension package, though. Just what it would entail we don't know; minds immediately start running toward Chevy or GMC going after the Ford F-150 Raptor, but we'll likely be looking at something closer to the Trailhawk packages Jeep offers on the likes of the Renegade and Cherokee. Featured Gallery 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 View 16 Photos News Source: AutoGuide.comImage Credit: Chevrolet Chevrolet GM GMC Truck SUV Off-Road Vehicles patent trademark

GM Design shows another early Hummer EV sketch

Like a new mother who's still so excited about her one-year-old baby that she can't stop showing ultrasound photos, General Motors is so excited about its biggest new baby, the battery-electric GMC Hummer, that it can't stop showing off development design sketches. The off-road monster with the 200-kWh Ultium battery pack debuted online on October 21 last year. The next day, the GM Design Instagram page posted some of the Hummer's early "theme sketches" leading to the production version. These had a conceptual flair to them, but were rather restrained. A month later, GM uncovered a series of development renderings showing off a much wilder truck bursting with more angles than a geometry text book. The archives have opened up again with a new "ideation sketch," this one between the first believable sketches and the second truck that Master Chief and Doomguy share on their days off.  All three sets of drawings show similar three-box proportions, it's the details that got a ton of love. On this newest sketch, the fenders flare a touch more than on the production truck, but the wheel wells are cut with the kind of clearance found on a Baja 1000 Trophy Truck. Out back, save for the tow hooks, the rear end is totally different than production. The sketch puts illuminated Hummer script across a narrow tailgate flanked by small square, taillights housing six individual elements. Beneath that, a bumper-less rear end puts nothing more than a sloped bash pate between the truck and the rocks it's just scrambled over. To our eyes, this is the best blend of production-ready comfort from the first sketches and zoot suit angles from the second that we've seen so far.  First deliveries of the GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 are expected before the year is out. When we get a chance to absorb the truck in its native habitats, we'll know whether there's cause for disappointment at what could have been. If so, with all this hunger among the monied for something different, we feel like restomodders have been given the perfect head starts on custom rebodied Hummers that would make things right. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X eyes Ram Power Wagon

If where you're going, you don't need roads, you're spoiled for choice by American automakers. Ford has the F-150 Raptor, Jeep the iconic Wrangler, and Ram offers Power Wagon. And that's just the tip of the factory off-road iceberg. General Motors is getting in on the off-roading action with the Canyon and Sierra 1500 All Terrain X. Now, the automaker is adding another notch on its belt with the Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X. On the outside, GMC continues to the all-black trend as the rest of its off-roading-oriented lineup, which includes 18-inch aluminum wheels finished in black, a bespoke grille surround, black sport bar that's mounted in the truck's bed, and four-inch side steps in black. The All Terrain X will only be offered in two colors – Black Onyx and Summer White. Those looking for more off-roading capabilities and tack the Z71 off-road suspension package as an option on the All Terrain X, adding performance Rancho shocks, Hill Descent Control, and a shield for the underbody transfer case. Two engine choices lie under this crew cab pickup's massive hood - the 6.0-liter gas V8 or the all-new Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V8. The gasoline-powered V8 continues to make 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the new Duramax turbo-diesel generates 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. While the All Terrain X may not have the same murderous look as the Ram Power Wagon, it makes off-roading a luxurious affair. And it's blacked out. The 2500HD power wagon will be on sale early next year, with a pricing announcement coming sometime in the next few months. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X: LA 2016 View 12 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Sierra HD All Terrain X News Source: GMCImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog LA Auto Show GM GMC Truck Off-Road Vehicles Performance 2016 LA Auto Show gmc sierra hd