Short Take Road Test
Until Cadillac introduces one of its own, the 2001 GMC Sierra C3 is the closest thing GM has to a Cadillac pickup truck. It's expensive, it's luxurious, it's powerful, and it has features found on no other pickup.
The Sierra C3 is a half-ton extended-cab pickup, but it's loaded to the top of its cargo bed with features and fillips found on few freighters. It's also the most expensive light-duty truck in GMC's inventory at a base price of $38,995.
For starters, the C3 has the biggest engine in the class, the Vortec 6.0-liter V-8, upgraded to pump out 325 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque. It is equipped with new aluminum cylinder heads, new cam profiles, a new exhaust system, and a three-piece noise-suppressing engine cover.
The big engine mounts to a heavy-duty 4L60-E automatic with a towing-and-hauling feature that provides higher upshift speeds, firmer gearchanges, and a 3.73:1 final drive that'll help you get across the intersection first every time. At the track, the 5000-pound C3 cranked out a 0-to-60 time of 7.8 seconds and a quarter-mile run of 16.0 seconds at 86 mph, which is plenty strong.
Instead of the usual four-wheel-drive setup with a range selector sticking up out of the floor, the C3 has an all-wheel-drive transfer case with a center differential and a viscous limited-slip device. It's set to a 38/62 percent front-to-rear torque split, but it's capable of putting nearly 100 percent of available torque to whichever axle has grip.
Instead of truck tires, the C3 uses Michelin 265/70SR-17 all-season touring tires on six-spoke 7.5-by-17-inch cast aluminum wheels. The C3 has heavy-duty four-wheel disc brakes from the three-quarter-ton model, plus anti-lock brakes and a dynamic rear proportioning system, a combination that yielded a 210-foot stop from 70 mph for the two-and-a-half-tonner.
The Sierra C3's suspension uses torsion bars in front, two-stage leaf springs in back, and extra damping that comes in handy whether you're canyon carving, trailer towing, or load hauling. It rides as high as a conventional 4x4, but it's not intended to be taken off the pavement, and it managed a respectable 0.70 g on the skidpad. Not in the same league as a Z06 Corvette, but not bad for a pickup truck.
Although it's GMC's hot-rod street truck, the C3 can also tow, up to 8700 pounds with its standard platform trailer hitch, a seven-pin trailer harness connector, and a trailer brake harness.
There's plenty of cosmetic stuff in the C3 that sets it apart from the other Sierras: a black machined grille, round-lens halogen headlamps with projector low beams, wraparound turn signals, round fog lamps, dual tow hooks, a four-bar lower grille, and a front bumper of sheet molding compound.
Door handles, rearview mirrors, and body-side moldings are all body-colored, as are the step bumper, the tailgate handle, and the tailgate molding. The C3 features standard chrome assist steps with mud flaps or a choice of two dealer-installed running boards, color-keyed or chromed tubular. The truck comes with a color-keyed soft vinyl tonneau cover for a neat, finished look.
The Sierra C3 has the slickest interior GMC has ever done for a full-size pickup truck, starting with six-way power heated leather bucket seats (with memory settings), an ultra-thick carpet, noise pads, and plush floor mats. The fold-up three-passenger rear seat has three child-seat tether anchors and snap-in child-seat attachments.
In driving the C3 over hill and dale, through city streets, and on The Big Slab, we found it to be incredibly roomy, quiet, and luxurious, with a healthy background exhaust throb, excellent throttle response, and acceleration that makes other pickup owners bolt up and gawk. The all-wheel-drive system and the suspension worked beautifully together, bringing very high levels of stick in fast corners and making spin-free full-throttle starts as easy as pie.
For those who want a hot-rod truck with all-weather capability but without the mechanical complications, the C3 just might be the ticket. But you may have to hock your firstborn to afford one.
