GMC’s Sierra 2500HD gets the go-anywhere treatment

By Ronan Glon October 10, 2016

GMC has introduced a brawnier, more off-road-focused version of the Sierra 2500HD pickup truck named All Terrain X.

The All Terrain X package is already offered on the Sierra 1500 and on the smaller Canyon pickup. The 2500HD receives a long list of upgrades that includes an Eaton automatic locking rear differential, the Z71 off-road suspension package, and thick skid plates that protect vital mechanical components from impacts.

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GMC hasn’t made any modifications under the hood. The All Terrain X package is exclusively offered on trucks equipped with four-wheel drive and either the 6.0-liter V8 or the 6.6-liter Duramax V8 turbodiesel. The gasoline-burning eight generates 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the newly-upgraded oil-burner pumps out 445 horses and an volcano-awakening 910 lb-ft of twist.

Both engines are bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission. The gasoline-powered Sierra can tow up to 13,000 pounds when it’s properly equipped; towing figures for the Duramax-powered model haven’t been published yet because the engine is new for the latest model year.

Visually, Sierra trucks equipped with the All Terrrain X package immediately stand out thanks to a handful of model-specific bits and pieces. The package includes black 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires, a body-colored grille, black mirrors, side steps, and a black sport bar mounted in the bed. The truck is available in onyx black (pictured), but buyers who don’t like the blacked-out look can order it in summit white.

The cabin is more comfortable than the All Terrain X’s tough look suggests. The passengers are treated to an eight-inch touchscreen that runs GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system, a remote-starting system, adjustable pedals, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, a rear-view camera, and a wireless phone charger.

The 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X will go on sale in the coming weeks. Pricing information will be published closer to its on-sale date.

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Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

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