2020 GMC Sierra to Debut New Diesel Along with Expanded 10-Speed, Towing Tech and Carbon-Fiber-Bed Applications

May 24, 2019

Paul Seredynski

The 2020 GMC Sierra pickup truck will be the first model year to feature the new 3.0L Duramax diesel, which can be combined with the carbon-fiber bed on both Denali and AT4 (above) trims. (GMC)

The 2020 GMC Sierra will be the first model year to provide the light-duty truck the option for GM’s new 3.0L Duramax turbodiesel engine. Originally scheduled for late MY2019 availability, lengthier regulatory scrutiny is likely for the model-year push on the new oil burner. The delay means the MY2020 Sierra will debut the diesel along with other powertrain expansions. This includes additional applications of the 10-speed automatic transmission and new trims based on the novel carbon fiber bed that should further bolster improving transaction prices.

The new 3.0L Duramax inline-six turbodiesel (SAE-certified at 277 hp; 460 lb-ft at 1500 rpm) available on the 2020 GMC Sierra will be paired with a 10-speed automatic and available on Denali, AT4, SLT, Elevation and SLE trims.

For MY2020, the GMC Sierra pickup will pair the new 3.0L Duramax inline-six turbodiesel (SAE-certified at 277 hp; 460 lb-ft at 1500 rpm) with the 10-speed automatic, making it available on Denali, AT4, SLT, Elevation and SLE trims. The 10-speed automatic availability also expands from the 6.2L V8 and diesel to 4WD 5.3L V8-equipped SLT, AT4 and Denali trims. The smaller V8 will feature Tula Technology’s Dynamic Skip Fire cylinder deactivation system, what GM labels Dynamic Fuel Management.

GMC’s six-way MultiPro tailgate will feature a built-in Kicker Audio Bluetooth speaker on CarbonPro trims of the 2020 GMC Sierra. (GMC)

The 2020 GMC Sierra CarbonPro trim features the novel carbon-fiber-composite bed, which saves 60 pounds compared to the standard steel bed. (GMC)

The new diesel will be available on the two newest top-tier trims, the Denali and AT4 CarbonPro Editions, which pair the new carbon fiber bed with additional content, including the slick MultiPro tailgate with a built-in Kicker Audio Bluetooth speaker, a 15-inch head-up display and the new camera-based rear-view mirror. Also available for 2020 will be GMC’s new Enhanced ProGrade Trailering feature, which was introduced on the soon-to-launch 2020 Sierra HD, which uses up to 15 camera views to reduce towing stress, including a nigh-magical transparent trailer view.