2019 GMC Sierra Preview by Thom Cannell +VIDEO

2019 GMC Sierra

GMC recently debuted its latest pickup, the all-new 2019 GMC Sierra. It is bold, sleek, sophisticated, and innovative. Plus, it adds truly definitive features like a carbon fiber pickup bed and a tailgate that rapidly adapts to a step-up, an office desk, and more.

While the all-new Chevrolet Silverado is a bold reinterpretation of that iconic pickup, the all-new 2019 Sierra delivers an even bolder style and more comfort, now rivaling luxury brands for its interior.

Both trucks are based on new architecture, with a longer wheelbase that yields greater rear seat space. Where the 2019 Sierra outranks Silverado is in how the sheet metal defines its exterior. Extending from the rear taillight, a shoulder line pulls the eye forward towards the front wheel well arch; a similar line pulls backwards from the windscreen to the rear window. These add visual length and dimension. Anchoring front and rear corners are the brand-defining C-shaped tail lamps and embedded headlamp DRL. You'll always know the truck you're following - or leading - is a GMC. And, running between wheel well arches is deep hip sculpting that brings definition, as well as strengthening the door panels. Overall, Sierra designers delivered a truck that is boldly simplistic, classic, and with an enduring appearance that will turn heads for years.

2019 GMC Sierra

At the reveal, we were told the new truck's bed employed enhanced High Strength Steel to improve dent and puncture resistance, and that the entire chassis relies on greater amounts of specifically chosen HSS. "Swing" panels are now aluminum, so the truck is significantly lighter. Then the bombshell, an optional carbon fiber bed that's even more rugged than steel. Making a carbon fiber bed has been "impossible" until it was done. Not only this bed more rugged than the all-steel bed, it is corrosion-proof and scuff-resistant.

That wasn't the end of the Professional Grade improvements; GMC delivered a MultiPro tailgate that has six different positions, like enhanced second-tier loading, a standing workstation, a step for bed entry, and more. We're anxious to try this in the wild.

In the safety realm, GMC now offers a Head Up display that is customizable and projects a wide 7-inch by 3-inch display of vehicle data "ahead" of the driver's eyes. That's premium anti-distraction. A segment-first rear camera mirror that looks back through cameras embedded in the mirrors, and will tilt or zoom is another option. It will also deliver an overhead image to the new infotainment screen. Couple that with an improved trailering system using rear camera-based guidance and hitch alignment and you have an impressive addition aimed at the pro and non-pro alike. Having an on-screen projected guiding line, and an absolute position for the hitch eliminates the arduous hand waving and second person guidance requirement. If you tow, you gotta' have this.

Inside, hand-stitched pebble grained leather seating may be accompanied by native open-grained woods. We've seen open grained woods on European luxury cars, never on pickups. With infotainment both a necessity and a potential distraction, GMC offers its interpretation that is touch-screen, and uses a familiar smartphone appearance for rapid familiarization.

2019 GMC Sierra

So far we've been talking about the volume SLT model, with some optional exceptions. Denali, GMC's premium model, provides its signature chrome grille and other premium features like an updated and improved rheological Adaptive Ride Control suspension that reads the road, responding to irregularities in 2 milliseconds.

All 2019 Sierras will offer two V8s, the well-known 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter gas engines, now equipped with stop-start technology and improved Dynamic Fuel Management which will run the engine on any number of cylinders, from just one - to seven - to all eight, depending on load. These are coupled to a new 10-speed automatic. Later, an all-new 3.0-liter diesel engine will be available; there are precisely zero details available on this engine other than it will be an in-line engine built in Flint, Michigan.

We're going to the New York Auto Show, courtesy of GMC, so will have more information on the 2019 Sierra later this month.