CANYON SETS NEW STANDARD FOR MIDSIZE TRUCKS

Often asking their trucks to perform simultaneous roles as workhorse, rolling office and weekend lifestyle enabler, owners typically form long-term bonds with their pickups. But while the traditional mission of trucks remains constant, consumer expectations in new vehicles has continuously ratcheted upward.

Available with three cab sizes, two bed sizes, and a variety of specially tuned suspensions, the all-new midsize 2004 Canyon answers contemporary truck customers' desires with a vehicle that delivers more than expected comfort, amenities and flexibility.

'Canyon puts GMC at the front of the midsize truck pack with a vehicle that delivers on customer expectations with innovative features that older-model competitors can't match,' said Lynn Myers, Pontiac-GMC general manager.

All-new platform

The Canyon is an all-new addition to the GMC lineup. It's an all-new design built on a brand-new platform, but leverages the strength of features that have helped make the midsize Envoy SUV and full-size Sierra increasingly popular with truck buyers.

'The frame has a 267 percent improved torsional rigidity than its predecessor, which translates into great ride and handling,' said John Santilli, vehicle line director for GM's midsize and small trucks. 'With more interior room than the current pickup offering, the Canyon looks and feels much more substantial than other trucks in its class.'

The Canyon's rigid structure also means improved crashworthiness and reduced noise, vibration and harshness.

Multiple choices

In addition to increased size and strength, Canyon offers a diverse range of models and configurations, including Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models; two available suspensions; and two all-new inline engines.

All-new configurations include a two-wheel-drive Crew Cab model and a Z71 High Stance Off-Road two-wheel-drive model that offers the appearance and stance of the Z71 four-wheel-drive model, but without the transfer case.

Extended Cab models feature four doors, and all Canyon models benefit from increased interior room and storage capability. The Canyon's expressive exterior appearance is a careful blend of truck toughness and GMC refinement.

'The Canyon really is the perfect truck for midsize-truck buyers who give 100 percent during the week so they can lead an active lifestyle in their free time,' said Al Oppenheiser, assistant chief engineer. 'This package will do what's required for work, then be able to tow personal watercrafts, snowmobiles, dirt bikes or a small trailer, while others ride safely and comfortably in the cab.'

Rack-and-pinion steering with a hydraulic power-assist system offers enhanced responsiveness, reduced steering effort, better 'on-center' feel and sharper response.

Underhood strength

Canyon's capable performance begins with two new inline engines -- the 2.8-liter, Vortec 2800 four-cylinder and the 3.5-liter, Vortec 3500 five-cylinder. Based on the inline six-cylinder in the GMC Envoy family, the Canyon's two new engines feature dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, electronic throttle control, low mass and other technologies that combine to offer excellent fuel economy.

The I-4 and I-5 also deliver all the power that a midsize truck requires. The Vortec 2800 delivers better horsepower and torque (175 hp/185 lb.-ft.) than other competing four-cylinders, while the Vortec 3500 has horsepower and torque (220 hp/225 lb.-ft.) that is better than or comparable to competitors' base-level six-cylinder engines.

The I-4, a new five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard on the Canyon. The I-5 and a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission are optional. The Regular Cab, four-door Extended Cab and four-door Crew Cab, and four-wheel drive also are available with any engine/transmission combination. The power of the I-4 enables GMC to offer four-wheel-drive Extended Cab and Crew Cab options with a four-cylinder engine.

'This is a personal-use truck for consumers who want more out of their midsize pickups,' said Craig Bierley, Canyon marketing director. 'As soon as buyers see and drive the Canyon, they'll discover that this truck delivers on that promise.'

The Canyon can tow up to 4,000 pounds.

Spacious, well appointed

Inside, Canyon looks and feels more like a spacious, well-appointed full-size pickup than a typical midsize truck. It brings a new level of comfort and capability to the segment, with craftsmanship and attention to detail evident throughout. Triple door seals, for example, keep out wind noise, water and dust.

The Crew Cab offers a 60/40 split/folding rear seat capable of accommodating three people. The Extended Cab comes standard with four doors, and its two folding rear seats are forward facing rather than the side-facing jump seats that are more common. The Regular Cab features 60/40 bench seats, in cloth or vinyl, with bucket seats available. The Regular Cab is 3 inches longer, allowing room for usable storage behind the seats and class-leading maximum overall legroom. The pickup bed on the Regular and Extended Cab models is 6-feet 1-inch long with tall sides to provide superior box volume. The bed on the Crew Cab is 5-feet 1-inch long.

Both beds offer two-tier cargo loading and a unique 55-degree tailgate opening that allows long items, such as 4-by-8-foot plywood sheets, to be transported flat. Otherwise, the tailgate opens fully to 89 degrees.

Built-in safety

Besides the excellent crashworthiness that comes from the rigid construction, the Canyon also has standard dual-stage frontal air bags for front-seat passengers and available roof-rail air bags for improved side-impact protection. Doors also have side-impact beams.

The Canyon has pretensioners at the outboard front-seat positions that deploy at the same time as the air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing.

The front outboard seating positions in all Canyons have adjustable safety belt upper guide loops for improved fit and comfort. A three-point safety belt is standard for the center-rear seat in Crew Cabs.

For added safety and security, Canyon also will be equipped with:

• Daytime running lights

• Content theft security

• Driver information center with oil life monitor

• Optional OnStar safety and security package

• PASSLock II vehicle theft protection

• Radio theft deterrence

• Lockout protection, standard with power door locks

• Child security locks, standard on Crew Cab rear doors

• Battery rundown protection

Other features

An AM/FM stereo with CD player is standard on Regular and Extended Cab models while an uplevel radio with Radio Data System and six speakers comes with the Crew Cab. Other uplevel radios are available, including XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only).

Also standard are intermittent wipers, air conditioning, and tow hooks on four-wheel-drive models.

Options include remote keyless entry, heated seats, XM Satellite Radio, remote keyless entry, fog lamps, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, self-dimming inside rearview mirror, running boards, leather seating, high-back bucket seats, rear sliding window and power left and right outside rearview mirrors.

The all-new 2004 Canyon pickup will be manufactured at General Motors' Shreveport, La., assembly plant. Start of production is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2003.

by General Motors Corporation

by GMC