The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

`Despite what tree-huggers might say, there are people who need the hauling power that only a pickup truck can provide.

Some need pure work vehicles. Others need vehicles that can haul drywall during the week, and haul groceries and rugrats on the weekend.

To those who need such a vehicle, I’d like to suggest the GMC Sierra Denali with Quadrasteer.

The Sierra is the GMC version of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Similar to the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra comes in light duty (1500 Series) as well as heavy-duty (2500 or 3500 series) models. But the Denali model, with its luxury appointments, comes merely in 1500 mode. Chevrolet has no equivalent trim level to the Denali.

Quadrasteer, GM’s name for four-wheel steering, is standard on the Denali and will become available as an option on the Chevrolet Silverado fleetside pickup sometime during the model year.

Several Japanese manufacturers offered four-wheel steering in the early ’90s on their sports cars. The option never proved popular because the increased agility was hard to notice. The increased price was not.

Applying the same principal to a vehicle that could benefit from being lighter on its feet, you get a pickup truck that has the same turning radius as a Saturn coupe (37.1 feet). Compare that to similar vehicles, such as a Dodge Ram (52.3 feet) or a Ford F-150 (50.4 feet) and you see how this will help.

How it works is simple.

A sensor in the steering wheel feeds steering information to a microprocessor. The microprocessor checks the steering input against vehicle speed and feeds the information to an electric motor, which then steers the rear wheels to the appropriate angles. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn opposite to the front wheels. This helps when pulling into a parking space. You can maneuver as if parking a car. It’s truly amazing. At high speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front ones. This allows for better stability during lane changes.

A dashboard button allows the system to be turned off, although I’m not sure you’ll want to do this.

What makes Quadrasteer so helpful, is that it lends car-like handling on a truck with real truck capabilities. There is no other pickup that handles with as much finesse.

That’s just for starters. Other things make this truck worth putting on your shopping list.

The Sierra Denali uses GM’s excellent large truck platform, which blends a sturdy platform with a smooth drivetrain. In the Sierra Denali, that’s GM’s Vortec 6000, a 6-liter overhead-valve V-8. This powerful mill, which sees duty in the more expensive Cadillac Escalade, is rated at 325 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque. It is fed through a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. So is a 4.10 axle ratio, which increases the towing rating to 10,000 pounds.

It also allows for fast starts and strong power. Initial starts are muscle-car strong. The rear track is 5 inches wider than a stock Sierra, to accommodate the turning of the rear tires. This enhances the truck’s cornering abilities, which are substantial.

The Sierra still has its share of body lean, but the grip offered by Quadrasteer is reassuring. In corners, where the back end could lighten and break away, the Sierra hangs in there.

In addition, GM equips the Sierra with ZX3 Ride Control, a driver- selectable suspension that adjusts the shocks for either smooth ride or

trailering. The only real ride flaw was rippled pavement, where no amount of electronics could hide the vehicle’s truck roots. Otherwise, it was luxury-car smooth.

Four-wheel-disc brakes with anti-lock are standard.

The interior is a clear upgrade from Chevrolet, although the Chevy roots do show through.

The instrum nt cluster is complete with speedometer, tachometer, fuel, oil, temperature, voltage and transmission temperature gauges all standard.

The center stack is identical to the other large GM trucks with plenty of storage and easy to operate radio and temperature controls. A 6-CD in-dash changer is standard. So is leather trim, outside marker lamps, heated outside mirrors, heated front seats, heavy-duty trailering equipment, a homelink transmitter and even chrome running boards.

The seats are wide, comfortable and supportive. The rear bench seat is for occasional short trips only and folds up for more cargo room.

The Sierra will never be a star attraction at the Sierra Club, not with an EPA rating of 12 mpg city and 15 mpg highway. A mixed test loop of highway and city driving matched the lower figure.

While not quite as posh as a Cadillac Escalade, it’s easy for any truck fan to feel decadent driving around in this rig.

But Quadrasteer is the real star here. Like the character in the movie “Fantasia,” this hippo moves with the grace of a ballet dancer.

Except this is a hippo you can buy.

SIERRA DENALI AWD

Engine: 6-liter OHV V-8

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

Tires: P265/70R17

Wheelbase: 143.5 inches

Length: 227.6 inches

Width: 78.5 inches

Weight: 4,534 pounds

Ground clearance: 8.7 inches

Cargo volume: 43.5 cubic ft.

Payload: 755.6 pounds

Base price: $43,385

As tested: $44,105

EPA rating: 12 city, 15 highway

Test mileage: 12 mpg

Fuel type: Regular

Built in: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada