Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/370987
pro pickup | by Bruce W. Smith September 2014 | EquipmentWorld.com 56 L ike a heavyweight kick- boxer dressed out in a tux, the black 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali I'm testing looks stylishly strong with fi erceness ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. It has more power under the hood than most big rigs and an interior that's as refi ned and quiet as many luxury sedans. The combi- nation is what sets GMC's Duramax- powered fl agship apart from lesser- equipped heavy-duty Sierras. Built in Flint, Michigan, the 2500HD Denali is the trim-level anyone who wants to make the luxury work-truck statement would fi nd very appealing. GM's vaunted 6.6-liter Dura- max, which is now making 397 horsepower and 765 foot-pounds of torque, is backed by the same Allison 1000 six-speed automatic that has been the ideal powertrain marriage since they were paired up back in 2006. The powertrain is smooth and strong. The Crew Cab 4x4 Denali I'm driving has the 3.73 axle ratio that's standard with the diesel option package ($8,845), and optional 20-inch forged aluminum wheels ($850) shod with Goodyear Wran- gler SR-A ($200) street tires. The 6,900-pound truck turned impressive numbers at Gulfport Dragway, which is where I do most of my track testing. It hit 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and tripped the 1/4-mile trap in 16.0 seconds at 86.4 mph. In comparison those numbers are better than recent Ram and Ford 2500 diesel and gas 4x4 models we've tested, and best even the lighter GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 5.3-li- ters we've run. From a work/recreational per- spective, the Denali 2500HD is built for towing, whether short distances or cross-country. It has the power, and GM now certifi es its 13,000-pound trailer weight rating under SAE J2807 specs with or without using a weight-distributing hitch. The Denail can also carry up to 17,400-pound 5th wheel or goose- neck trailers, and haul up to 3,082 pounds in the bed as long as the Gross Cargo Weight Rating (GCWR) doesn't exceed 24,500 pounds. ROLLIN' IN STYLE GMC's Denali 2500HD is as big a statement maker as it is a work truck Road Test: 2015 GMC Sierra Denali HD