January 7, 2003

Canyon is GMC's new mid-sized pickup

Detroit, Michigan - Similar to Chevrolet's new Colorado, the new GMC Canyon is a mid-size pickup with two new inline four and five cylinder engines based on the Vortec 4.2 litre inline six-cylinder engine introduced in the 2002 GMC Envoy sport utility vehicle and Chevy Trailblazer.

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Canyon's standard engine is a 2.8 litre Vortec inline four-cylinder which delivers 175 horsepower and 185 lbs.-ft. of torque. The optional 3.5 litre Vortec inline five-cylinder, the first application of a five-cylinder in a consumer pickup, kicks out 220 horsepower and 225 lbs.-ft. of torque. Both engines boast state-of-the-art features such as electronic throttle control, variable valve timing and coil-on-plug ignition.

Other powertrain features on the Canyon include an available all-new five-speed manual transmission; a new transfer case for four-wheel-drive models; and the proven, four-speed Hydra-Matic 4L60-E automatic transmission, which was originally engineered to handle the stresses of the much larger GMC Sierra full-size pickup.

"These two new inline engines in the Canyon, with their powerful yet efficient performance, fit perfectly into GMC's promise of highly capable, professional-grade performance," said Jerome Thiebaud, Canyon product manager. "Inline technology produces an engine with exceptional power, smoothness and world class fuel efficiency."

Canyon offers a wide range of configurations including the popular two-wheel drive high rider and two-wheel drive crew cab models. The full range of choices includes two- or four-wheel drive, three different cab styles (crew, extended and regular) and two suspension packages (standard heavy-duty and high rider off-road).

Canyon's larger size provides more room, passenger comfort and cargo-carrying capability than the Sonoma pickup. The regular cab model features 60/40 bench seats, in cloth or vinyl, with reclining bucket seats available. The four-door extended cab comes with two forward facing rear seats with under-seat storage and a flat-load floor. Crew cab models feature front bucket seats, available in cloth or leather. The 60/40-split flat-folding rear seat is capable of accommodating three adults.

The Canyon provides flexible hauling capabilities with a 6-foot cargo box (5-foot cargo box on crew cabs), along with two-tier loading and a locking tailgate.

Rear-drive models have an independent front suspension and a live rear axle as standard, while four-wheel-drive and high rider off-road models feature torsion-bar suspension. Front tubular stabilizer bars are standard on rear and four-wheel-drive models.

The Canyon's four-wheel-drive system, offering electronic "shift-on-the-fly" capability, is accessed via a dash-mounted switch. Full-function traction control also is available, as is a locking differential. Additionally, two rear-end ratios are available: the standard 3:42, and an optional 3:73.

For safety, head-curtain side air bags are optional. Driver and front passenger dual-stage front air bags are standard on all models. In addition, on the regular-cab model, the passenger-side air bag can be disabled.

Other safety features include: a highly deformable all-steel body, standard four-wheel ABS brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, a new driver information center, three-point lap shoulder belts in all three rear seating positions and the LATCH system. The OnStar safety and security system also is available.

The Canyon will begin production at the General Motors Shreveport truck plant in Shreveport, Lousiana, in the fourth quarter of 2003.

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