- Hands-free driving comes to the GMC Sierra pickup for 2022
- Enhancements allow for towing a trailer while the system is engaged
- Off-road-oriented AT4 sub-brand accounts for 20% of sales
While electrification has recently captured the automotive industry’s attention, progress on the autonomous driving front proceeds apace. GMC is making the semi-autonomous Super Cruise system available on 2022 Sierra pickups.
Additionally, GM’s truck division is looking to underscore that its second sub-brand, the off-road AT4 model range, has been available across the entire lineup since 2020. It now accounts for a significant slice of the division’s sales.
Like the premium Denali sub-brand, AT4 is available on Canyon, Sierra, and Sierra HD pickups, as well as the SUV range that includes Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, and Yukon XL. GMC isn’t saying it will offer an AT4 package on the Hummer EV and SUV, though both models are geared toward off-road use.
Sailing With Super Cruise
GM launched Super Cruise, a hands-free driving technology, on the 2017 Cadillac CT6. The automaker says it will have it on 22 vehicles by 2023. It is already available on the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV and EV. Though not a fully autonomous feature, Super Cruise enables hands-free driving in certain situations on divided highways. The system represents a significant step in the direction of autonomous driving, even if it doesn’t operate on city streets or two-lane roads.
Beyond simply porting Super Cruise from its Cadillac directly to GMC, engineers have enhanced and tailored the driver-assist technology for the luxury truck brand.
We drove a test vehicle with the 2022 Super Cruise technology on the Milford track at GM’s proving grounds, where we experienced the automatic lane-change function with the help of a GMC SUV driving in tandem. With Super Cruise engaged, the Sierra followed the SUV with adaptive cruise control. When the SUV slowed below a set speed limit, the Sierra initiated a lane change to the open left lane, accelerated past the SUV, then returned to the right lane after reaching a safe distance ahead.
The next demonstration involved driving a Sierra while towing a 5,000-pound trailer on the same closed course. Upon reaching a cruising speed, we engaged Super Cruise, and the Sierra sailed smoothly around the track, hands-free, seemingly unaffected by the trailer following in its wake.
Camera Enhancements
The 2022 GMC Sierra will benefit from upgrades to the pickup’s available 15-camera-view system. The impressive array includes HD Surround Vision, a rear camera mirror, a bed view camera, and even in-trailer and wired trailer rear cameras. Opt for all of the available camera locations, and the software can interpolate views like the transparent trailer, dual side-view, and more.
For 2022, the system now includes bed view zoom, which allows for close-ups of the bed-mounted fifth-wheel hitch. GMC added trailer-reverse guidelines to the trailer-mounted camera. The turn signals now trigger biased views for the rear-side cameras. Signal a left turn, and you’ll see more of the left rear side view in your monitor, with blind-spot shading for your trailer. Signal a right turn, and see the reverse view.
GMC says cameras promise to help a novice “tow like a pro.” One of the big fears when backing up is a jackknife, which is not only embarrassing but can damage both truck and trailer. Not only does the reverse view have guidelines predicting trailer direction, but it also has a small graphic showing jackknife angle.
When your reverse driving approaches a 75-degree jackknife angle, you’ll get a visual, audible, and haptic warning. If you continue to magnify your jackknife to a more treacherous angle with poor inputs, you’ll get a more insistent set of warnings before you reach a damage point. You can continue to reverse beyond the notifications, but you’re on your own.
Sub-Brand Strategy
GMC has found success with its Denali sub-brand. Initially a luxury trim level applied to the 1999 Yukon SUV alone, Denali spread across the entire lineup by 2017. According to Phil Brook, GMC’s Vice President of Marketing, Denali models represent nearly 30% of GMC’s total sales this year. With the AT4 available on all models since 2020, the two sub-brands now account for half of the division’s sales.
GM brought members of its off-road driving team to Milford for demonstration drives in 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 models. We drove through a short collection of obstacles, inclines, declines, and other fun experiences to experience the truck’s capabilities.
The Sierra AT4 includes a 2-inch factory lift, skid plates, Rancho monotube shocks, and a standard MultiPro Tailgate. These models are also available with a carbon-fiber bed and mud-terrain tires. Other AT4 models share the same branding and badging, but each uses a specific combination of equipment and accessories.
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