GMC released the specifications today of the new 2011 Sierra Denali HD. What I like about this press release is that it highlights “Competitive Facts” focusing right in on how Sierra matches up with the Dodge Ram and Ford F-Series and Super Duty. In this Press Release, General Motors highlights the towing capability, payload capacity, new independent front suspension system, and my favorite…an exhaust brake on the Duramax diesel. This is what I would like to highlight.
The exhaust brake, which can be turned on or off by the driver, uses the turbocharger and engine compression to generate backpressure…thereby slowing the vehicle without applying the brakes. For those that have tried to keep a steady speed with cruise going down hills with a load, this is a really neat feature. It is integrated with the cruise and accounts for vehicle load and road grade. This will certainly help in prolonging brake life on downhill grades.
