What is it?
GMC Terra4
What's special about it?
Consider the Terra4 a follow-up to GMC's most recent concept trucks, the Terradyne pickup (2000) and the Terracross crossover vehicle (2001). Here again, we are encouraged to equate the company's "Professional Grade" marketing campaign with something more than powerful pushrod engines and class-leading towing ability.
In the case of the Terra4 crew cab concept, we're talking sophisticated technology and flexible use of space. Engineers have integrated a 4.8-kilowatt electric motor into the drivetrain — it's housed between the transmission and a gasoline-powered 5.3-liter Vortec V8 that makes 285 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor provides starting power, and during braking, generates enough electricity for itself and all electrical functions — its self-sufficiency eliminates the need for a conventional starter and alternator, thus saving weight. What's more, GMC reports that this hybrid powertrain (a first for the division) cuts fuel consumption by 15 percent with no reduction in towing capacity. On the road, Terra4 behaves much like any other GMC truck, except that the gas engine shuts off at stoplights to avoid wasting fuel (as in the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius). As an added bonus of its precocious electrical system, the truck includes a pair of 110-volt 20-amp outlets that will accommodate any appliance with a three-prong plug.
Complementing the efficient drivetrain is GM's Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system (currently available on the Sierra Denali), which allows the Terra4's rear wheels to turn as a percentage of the front wheels (up to a maximum 12-degree angle). This improves handling during high-speed lane changes and shortens the truck's turning radius at low speeds. Also included are what GMC says are low rolling-resistance tires mounted on 20-inch alloy wheels.
Structurally, the Terra4 builds on the innovations of the Chevrolet Avalanche. Besides collapsible rear seats and a cab pass-through (which together allow for 8 feet of bed length), the concept is replete with rear quarter-panel doors to allow hypothetical owners to load cargo into the deep bed from either side or from the rear. A retractable aluminum cargo cover keeps the contents of the bed safe and dry. The cab itself attempts to impart a rugged but luxurious feel with the use of woven leather and stainless steel accents, soft-glow amber backlighting for the analog gauges and oversized controls.
Why should you care?
Fuel economy is an ongoing concern for the exclusive truck purveyor, and a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain with no discernable loss in performance would certainly help with GMC's corporate average fuel economy, as well as sell its "Professional Grade" image to consumers. The reappearance of Quadrasteer in this show truck is a sure indicator that GM intends to use the system more extensively in its production fullsize truck lineup. And the Terra4's flexible storage system picks up where the Chevrolet Avalanche leaves off. We probably won't see a production vehicle called Terra4, but you can expect parts of it to show up in future production vehicles. — Erin Riches
GMC Terra4
What's special about it?
Consider the Terra4 a follow-up to GMC's most recent concept trucks, the Terradyne pickup (2000) and the Terracross crossover vehicle (2001). Here again, we are encouraged to equate the company's "Professional Grade" marketing campaign with something more than powerful pushrod engines and class-leading towing ability.
In the case of the Terra4 crew cab concept, we're talking sophisticated technology and flexible use of space. Engineers have integrated a 4.8-kilowatt electric motor into the drivetrain — it's housed between the transmission and a gasoline-powered 5.3-liter Vortec V8 that makes 285 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor provides starting power, and during braking, generates enough electricity for itself and all electrical functions — its self-sufficiency eliminates the need for a conventional starter and alternator, thus saving weight. What's more, GMC reports that this hybrid powertrain (a first for the division) cuts fuel consumption by 15 percent with no reduction in towing capacity. On the road, Terra4 behaves much like any other GMC truck, except that the gas engine shuts off at stoplights to avoid wasting fuel (as in the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius). As an added bonus of its precocious electrical system, the truck includes a pair of 110-volt 20-amp outlets that will accommodate any appliance with a three-prong plug.
Complementing the efficient drivetrain is GM's Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system (currently available on the Sierra Denali), which allows the Terra4's rear wheels to turn as a percentage of the front wheels (up to a maximum 12-degree angle). This improves handling during high-speed lane changes and shortens the truck's turning radius at low speeds. Also included are what GMC says are low rolling-resistance tires mounted on 20-inch alloy wheels.
Structurally, the Terra4 builds on the innovations of the Chevrolet Avalanche. Besides collapsible rear seats and a cab pass-through (which together allow for 8 feet of bed length), the concept is replete with rear quarter-panel doors to allow hypothetical owners to load cargo into the deep bed from either side or from the rear. A retractable aluminum cargo cover keeps the contents of the bed safe and dry. The cab itself attempts to impart a rugged but luxurious feel with the use of woven leather and stainless steel accents, soft-glow amber backlighting for the analog gauges and oversized controls.
Why should you care?
Fuel economy is an ongoing concern for the exclusive truck purveyor, and a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain with no discernable loss in performance would certainly help with GMC's corporate average fuel economy, as well as sell its "Professional Grade" image to consumers. The reappearance of Quadrasteer in this show truck is a sure indicator that GM intends to use the system more extensively in its production fullsize truck lineup. And the Terra4's flexible storage system picks up where the Chevrolet Avalanche leaves off. We probably won't see a production vehicle called Terra4, but you can expect parts of it to show up in future production vehicles. — Erin Riches
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