Through forests and mountains: GMC Canyon AT4 Ovrlandx pickup truck for extreme off-road
The version with the strange name Ovrlandx (the letter “e” after the “v” is not missing, it simply does not exist) is a typical example of factory tuning, presented as part of the Overland Expo Mountain West 2021 specialized “adventure” exhibition in the US state of Colorado.
The GMC Canyon is a slightly improved and more expensive version of the midsize Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. The current second generation Canyon has been produced and sold in the United States since 2014, although the related Colorado debuted outside of America back in 2011, that is, the model is no longer young. Last year, Canyon went through a restyling that almost did not affect the interior, and received an off-road version of the AT4 – it came ideologically close to the All Terrain.
In its segment, Canyon is an absolute outsider, that is, it sells worse than all competitors: in the first half of 2021, the junior GMC pickup sold 12,491 units in the US. For comparison, let's say that sales of the leader of the segment of mid-size pickups – Toyota Tacoma – during the same time amounted to 139,296 units, in second place – Ford Ranger (58,371 units sold), in third – Jeep Gladiator (48,784 units), followed by Chevrolet Colorado (38,859 units), Nissan Frontier (26,392 units) and Honda Ridgeline (24,370 units).
The Ovrlandx version is another attempt to draw attention to an unpopular model: they say that it is difficult to invent a better vehicle for riding in the wild. The stock version of the AT4, of course, was taken as the basis, equipped with a more energy-intensive suspension than other versions, an electronic assistant when descending a mountain, a steel transfer case protection and a rear axle differential lock. The power unit is also stock – a gasoline 3.6-liter V6 (312 hp, 373 Nm) paired with an 8-speed hydromechanical “automatic” automatic transmission, but now a lock has been added to the front differential.
Ground clearance has been increased to 254 mm, the track has been widened, new, stronger suspension arms and Multimatic DSSV rally-raid shock absorbers have been installed. Compound 17-inch AEV Crestone wheels are shod with 33-inch BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires.
The body received wheel arch extensions, more durable bumpers with towing hooks (in addition, the front one with a winch, LED garland and a kenguryatnik), a snorkel, tubular sill protection, branch cables between the windshield and the hood, a swivel spare tire mount that takes it to the side when lowering the side of the body.
A stainless steel kung is installed on the cargo part of the body, and in it and on it there is a complete camping set: a mobile catering unit with a gas stove and a supply of drinking water, a tent, an awning, a table, chairs, an organizer glove box, a solar panel for autonomous power supply, canisters with gasoline, “skis” for putting under the wheels in case of getting stuck, cables, jacks and other rescue equipment.
How much the upgrade cost, GMC does not report, because so far the Canyon AT4 Ovrlandx is just a concept for the exhibition, but if the public shows due interest in it, it is quite possible to expect a serial version, even without a residential module, which costs like half a car, but only with “iron” modifications.
