Key Takeaways
- GMC showcases CrabWalk on Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, announces estimated range increase to 440 miles.
- Denali Edition 1 pricing announced at $99,495, down from earlier estimates of $108,695.
- Deliveries expected to kick off later this year.
GMC has announced that the upcoming Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will arrive with an even more impressive range estimate. Previously pegged at 400 miles, the company says the estimate now sits at 440 miles, providing the Denali Edition 1 with one of the best range figures in its class.
The Chevrolet Silverado EV RST received the same improvements recently. General Motors doesn’t detail exactly how it has extracted 10% more range, only noting it has done so by optimizing the GM Ultium Platform. Whether that is by hardware or software is unknown, but more range is always good, just as a lower asking price is, and GMC has improved its forecast for this, too.
More Range, Smaller Price Tag
Previously, the Denali Edition 1 carried a scandalous six-figure price tag of $108,695. This has been reduced to a more palatable (but still expensive) $99,495. The Silverado RST also received a price cut earlier this month and now carries an MSRP of $94,500. Both updated prices don’t include the $1,995 delivery fee. The GMC’s high pricing does, at least, provide customers with supercar-like power figures and luxury features.
The Denali Edition 1 delivers a substantial 754 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque in Max Power mode, which should make for fairly rapid straight-line performance. Few people are likely to venture off-road in this $100,000 luxury pickup, but the CrabWalk feature will come in handy if they do. The rear axle can emulate the front wheels at low speeds, allowing the vehicle to move diagonally.
Towing And Payload Much Improved
Despite the premium positioning, the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 is no show pony. The battery-powered truck can tow up to 10,000 lbs and boasts a maximum payload of 1,450 lbs, increases of 500 and 150 lbs, respectively. GMC has yet to share battery capacity, but we expect it to utilize the same 200 kWh battery pack found in the Silverado EV RST. Charging it should be a cinch, with GMC noting the truck can charge at speeds of up to 350 kW, allowing it to glean 100 miles of range in around 10 minutes. Revealed in late 2022, the Denali Edition 1 will start heading to customers this year, with the first deliveries scheduled for summer 2024, shortly after the new Acadia reaches dealers in the spring.