The GMC Sierra CarbonPro edition has been launched in the Middle East, on the GMC Sierra Sierra AT4 1500 Crew-Cab. The purpose-built CarbonPro bed is the first application of its kind for carbon fiber composite.

The GMC Sierra CarbonPro edition has been launched in the Middle East, on the GMC Sierra Sierra AT4 1500 Crew-Cab. The purpose-built CarbonPro bed is the first application of its kind for carbon fiber composite and delivers best-in-class dent, scratch and corrosion resistance.

Daniella D’Souza, Head of Brand, GMC, Middle East said: “The GMC Sierra brought the world-first six-function MultiPro tailgate. Adding further functionality and capability the CarbonPro edition, can carry whatever you throw at it, and further demonstrates its strength, space and innovation. The CarbonPro is made of the same raw material found in seven-figure super cars and even aerospace applications."

Key benefits of the CarbonPro bed include:

•    Strength, durability and scratch resistance: The carbon fiber composite material provides the most scratch, dent and corrosion-resistant pickup bed in the industry.
•    Corrosion-resistance: Carbon fiber composite naturally resists corrosion, helping the bed withstand weathering and maintain a premium appearance over the life of the truck.
•    Reduced weight: The CarbonPro bed weighs 25 percent less than a traditional steel bed, removing roughly 60 pounds of vehicle mass. Its grained surface also negates the need for bed liners, potentially saving further vehicle mass.
•    More volume: The CarbonPro bed design enables best-in-class cargo volume, increasing the already class-leading volume of the Sierra’s roll-formed steel bed by 1 cubic foot.
•    More functionality: The CarbonPro bed features indentations specifically designed for tires of dirt and street bikes. Two additional tie-down locations are installed at the front of the bed.

Rigorous validation testing

The CarbonPro bed was rigorously developed to help ensure long-term pickup bed durability and functionality.

Examples of the validation testing include:

•    Drop tests: Large and heavy loads were repeatedly dropped on the CarbonPro bed to replicate extreme use scenarios. Testing included dropping cinder blocks, 816 kilograms (1800-pound) loads of gravel and 204 kilograms (450-pound) water-filled steel drums from varying heights.  
•    Corrosion test: CarbonPro was subjected to corrosion testing but carbon fiber composite is naturally resistant to corrosion.
•    Snowmobile test: A snowmobile with metal studs on the track was driven into the bed and accelerated at full throttle with a 130 kilograms (250-pound) rider on board with only minimal scratching evident on the bed.
•    Extreme temperature testing: Validation work was performed in extreme temperature locations to help ensure CarbonPro holds up in unforgiving environments.
•    Generator test: High heat exposure involved aiming the exhaust from a portable generator directly at the corner of the bed to ensure heat and vibration would not degrade the bed.

Form meets function

The CarbonPro bed offers some of the highest cargo volume thanks to its sidewalls being pushed out farther, made possible by the formability of carbon fiber composite that allows molding deep and complex shapes with variable thicknesses. Like the steel bed, the CarbonPro bed provides the ability to slide a 2-inch by 6-inch wooden divider into pockets in the bed wall for cargo organization and separation.

Purposefully grained corrugation optimizes traction and cleanup, with more aggressive graining at the tops of the corrugation to help increase traction in wet weather and a smoother grain at the bottoms of the corrugation for easy dirt and debris removal.

The carbon fiber composite bed does not need to be painted, since the composite material creates a premium surface and is UV stable. – TradeArabia News Service