General Motors is showcasing a new heavy-duty off-road concept pickup aimed at commercial users and consumers alike who operate their vehicles in rougher-than-normal terrain. The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept is an exploration of heavy-duty truck capability combined with greater off-road versatility, GM said.

The concept features a modified, production-based 4WD chassis and the Sierra’s Duramax diesel/Allison 1000 six-speed powertrain.

The enhanced suspension and unique body dimensions, including increased ground clearance and wider track, as well as greater approach/departure angles, deliver off-road capability while maintaining heavy-duty grade payload capacity and trailer towing capability, said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director.

The concept truck has an estimated payload capacity of 2,700 lbs, estimated conventional towing capacity of 13,000 lbs, and an estimated fifth-wheel towing capacity of 15,600 lbs, Hutchinson noted.

The Sierra All Terrain HD also boasts a unique five-foot, eight-inch Crew Cab/short box body configuration to allow a “wheels-at-the-corners” design. Shorter in overall length than production Sierra HD models, the concept's dimensions contribute to greater approach/departure angles, said Hutchinson..

Additional off-road elements of the concept truck include:

  • Wider, 73-in track for greater stability
  • Approximately 3 in greater ground clearance
  • Custom front upper and lower control arms
  • Special Fox off-road shocks with remote fluid reservoirs (integrated in wheel house liners)
  • Electronic front stabilizer bar disconnection
  • BFGoodrich KM2 35-in tall “mud terrain” tires mounted on 20-in machined aluminum wheels
  • Full composite underbody protection.

“The Sierra All Terrain HD concept … is designed to be the ultimate professional-grade tool for construction crews, ranchers and adventurers whose activities aren't limited by where the pavement end,” Hutchinson added.