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2015 GMC Canyon

As discussed earlier today, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is a new standout in terms of midsize trucks. But the Colorado wasn't the only pickup the General Motors team brought to San Diego for us to sample. Also along for the ride was a pack of GMC Canyons, the slightly more expensive and polished platform-mate to the Chevy.
There's no question that the Canyon and the Colorado are a lot alike under the skin - almost entirely, in fact - so GMC has worked to first create some daylight between the two trucks by way of sheetmetal. This is most obvious from the front view, where the blocky and blingy GMC grille replaces the more subdued tone and shape seen on the Chevy's nose. Projector headlights with LED running lights come as standard, and, again, with the squared-off look that is typical of the brand. 16-inch aluminum wheels come stock on the GMC, too, with the 17-inchers seen on my photo truck offered as standard equipment on the top-trim SLT.
GMC considers the Canyon to be the only premium truck in the segment (which is clearly true), and the team has spent a ton of time and effort to get the interior correct to prove out that point. "Any trim that looks like metal, is metal," I was told at the product briefing, a certain indication that the company is serious about bringing a new class of buyer to a truck segment that it hopes to redefine.

Chevy's 6.6-liter Duramax is pretty much all new

To say there's a heated battle in heavy-duty pickups is an understatement, with Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram constantly trading blows of increased torque, horsepower, and towing capacity. The latest salvo is the revised, more powerful turbo diesel 6.6-liter Duramax V8 in the 2017 Chevy Silverado. It has 910 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 145, putting it nearly level with the Ford Super Duty. Here's a closer look at where those gains come from. How exactly did Chevrolet add all that torque plus 48 horsepower? The automaker essentially took a fine-tooth comb to the entire engine. Chevy says it changed 90 percent of the V8, and the cumulative effect of those small changes adds up to big increases. As you might guess, the turbocharger is updated. The larger unit features electric actuation of the variable nozzle turbine (VNT), and what Chevy calls a double axle cartridge mechanism that separates the VNT moving parts from the housing. That helps with heat performance as well, with a claim that the exhaust side of the turbo can run continuously up to 1,436 degrees Fahrenheit. Helping that cause are six exhaust gaskets made of Inconel - an nickel alloy that contains chromium and iron – and upgraded stainless steel for the exhaust manifold. Despite having the same cast iron cylinder block, albeit with some minor enhancements, the engine has new cylinder heads, pistons, piston pins, connecting rods, and crankshaft, which have all been upgraded to handle 20 percent higher cylinder pressures. Alongside the increase in pressure, Chevrolet also increased the cylinder head's structure with a honeycomb design. The pattern features high-strength aluminum with dual layer water jackets that not only improve strength, but also optimize water flow for better cooling. For 2017, the cylinder head also benefits from integrated plenum that aids the engine in getting more air under heavy loads. The cylinder head isn't the only component to get a minor update, as the pistons have a larger diameter pin for improved oil flow. The same detailed improvements has been bestowed to the humble connecting rods (second in our hearts only to the inanimate carbon rod). The new design has the bolts oriented roughly 45-degrees to the rod instead of parallel. The angle split design, as it's called allows for easier passage through the cylinder.

2017 GMC Acadia adds four-cylinder and All Terrain model

General Motors has officially started the process of updating its long-in-the-tooth fullsize CUVs by unveiling the second-generation GMC Acadia at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. While the Acadia is 700 pounds lighter, it's also shorter and narrower, which means it's not quite the people mover it used to be. You'll no longer be able to haul eight passengers, although there will still be five-, six-, and seven-passenger offerings. While families might not be thrilled with the loss of a seat, the lighter weight is a net win. Not only will the V6 model feel more powerful and efficient – in addition to the lower curb weight, there's a new, 310-horsepower engine – but it will also likely be more economical. GM estimates the front-drive V6 will return 25 miles per gallon on the freeway, compared to 24 mpg for the current front driver, but city fuel economy remains pegged at 17 mpg. In a move we're not entirely sold on, though, the Acadia will also adopt a four-cylinder engine, and no, it's not GM's highly regarded 2.0-liter turbo. Instead, you'll be able to order this 4,000-pound CUV with a 2.5-liter, 194-horsepower four-cylinder. What it won't be able to provide in straight-line speed, it will make up for with fuel economy. GM is wagering the front-drive, four-cylinder Acadia will net 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. Both engines are paired with a HydraMatic 6T75 six-speed automatic. A new All Terrain model is said to be optimized for wet, snowy and icy conditions, and its drive mode selector removes the Off Road selection in favor of All Terrain. We have live images of both the new Acadia Denali, as well as the new-for-2017 All Terrain model, direct from the floor of the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. There's also a video of the full GMC press conference with reactions from our editors. Check them out. GMC Introduces All-New 2017 Acadia * 700-lb. lighter, more efficient crossover aimed at heart of midsize segment * Expanded range of available active safety features, including Front Pedestrian Braking and Surround Vision Camera * New powertrains include a 2.5L I-4, offering a GM-est. 28 mpg hwy, and an available est. 310-hp 3.6L V-6 * Acadia Denali with new, exclusive Continuously Variable Ride Control * New Acadia All Terrain with an advanced AWD system with Active Twin Clutch * On sale this spring DETROIT, Tuesday, Jan.