THE all-new 2014 GMC Sierra Light Duty full-size pickup, claimed to be the most powerful and advanced pickup in the brand’s 111-year history, was introduced at an exclusive event held on Sept. 15 at Mall of the Emirates’ Ski Dubai.

The launch saw strong attendance by members of the media and shed light on the 2014 model’s bold new exterior, which houses one of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a fully updated cabin with available next-generation IntelliLink connectivity and other features designed for the most discerning pickup owners.

John Stadwick, president and MD of General Motors Middle East Operations, said: “The pioneering redesigned model — engineered and built to Command Respect — further elevates GMC’s reputation as an industry leader in styling and quality. The 2014 Sierra offers best-in-class standards and sets an important benchmark for pickup safety and refinement.”

In addition to all-new design and technology, the 2014 Sierra boasts the longest list of standard features ever for a full-size GMC pickup.

From connectivity solutions, to a standard tie-down system in the rear, to the segment’s only standard projector beam headlamps, many premium features are found on each all-new Sierra.

The 2014 GMC Sierra Light Duty arrives in showrooms in late October and is offered in Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab and Denali models. In the UAE, prices start at AED107,983 for the Regular Cab model, AED115,428 for the Double Cab model, AED120,915 for the Crew Cab model and AED198,392 for the Denali model.

The distinctive Sierra Denali returns for 2014, delivering GMC capability with “unique design cues and exclusive features.”

On the exterior, the pickup has a signature Denali chrome grille, unique 20-inch chrome wheels, unique interior decorative trim, a polished stainless steel exhaust outlet and body-color front and rear bumpers.

Sierra Denali’s high-tech interior also features an exclusive eight-inch customizable driver display that can show relevant settings, audio and navigation information in the instrument panel.

Other features standard on Sierra Denali include projector-style headlamps with LED signature daytime running lights, a Bose audio system, heated and cooled leather front bucket seats, a heated steering wheel and front and rear park assist.

Sierra’s engine portfolio is updated for 2014 with increased power, torque and fuel efficiency across the board. New 4.3L V-6, 5.3L V-8 and 6.2L V-8 powertrains are offered, all from a shared EcoTec3 engine family.

The increased power and efficiency of the new engines are the result of more than 10 million hours of sophisticated computer modeling, more than half of which were used to make the best of the combustion process.

The new 4.3L V-6 EcoTec3 engine offers the most torque of any standard V-6 in the segment, with 413 Nm. Torque is the turning force that generates off-the-line acceleration and confident trailering performance.

“Rather than adapting a V-6 intended for use in passenger cars, we built a new engine from the ground up based on the unique demands of a pickup,” said Jordan Lee, powertrain chief engineer.

The new 6.2L V-8 is available in Sierra SLT and standard on Denali models. It is SAE-certified at 420 horsepower and 624 Nm of torque – the most horsepower and torque of any light duty pickup in the industry. The new 6.2L also enables a 5,443 kg maximum towing capacity for the Sierra Light Duty, which is expected to have the highest rating in the class.

All three engines use lightweight aluminum blocks and heads and are mated with durable six-speed automatic transmissions. A cruise grade braking feature down-shifts the transmission on downgrades, which is intended to reduce brake wear. V-8 models use new, larger 9.5- and 9.76-inch rear axles with the strength to accommodate the engines’ higher output.

The 2014 Sierra features four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife brake rotors, which feature a hardened and strengthened surface to reduce corrosion. Duralife rotors - a GM-exclusive technology - are expected to last twice as long as conventional rotors and provide quieter braking with less vibration.

“Pickup owners want a well-crafted cabin, but also one that still feels like a pickup,” said Helen Emsley, Sierra interior design director. “They want a purposeful interior, not one that’s flowing like you’d find in a car or crossover.”

Several active safety features are available for the 2014 Sierra, including forward collision alert, which uses a forward-facing camera to notify the driver of an imminent collision, and lane departure warning, which uses the same camera to track the pickup’s position in relation to a road’s lane markers.

Other new features include available front Park Assist, in addition to the rear Park Assist already available.