GMC preps '16 Sierra Elevation edition with new infotainment system

GMC will introduce a bolder, limited edition of the 2016 Sierra pickup on Thursday at the State Fair of Texas.

The truck, called the Sierra Elevation Edition, is scheduled to arrive at dealers nationwide in the first quarter of next year.

The Sierra Elevation Edition features body-color trim including moldings, door handles, grille and mirrors. The interior has a new infotainment system with a 7-inch screen that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration capability.

The standard engine is a 4.3-liter V-6 with a highway fuel economy rating of 24 mpg; a 5.3-liter V-8 is optional.

General Motors’ two full-size pickups, the Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, have been freshened for 2016.

The Sierra Elevation Edition, available only on double-cab models, debuted as a 2015 model at the 2014 State Fair of Texas.

The fair is treated by many automakers almost like a new-car show, with giant displays and product introductions.

Pricing for the 2016 Sierra Elevation Edition has not been finalized. A GMC spokesman said it is expected to have a sticker of about $35,000.

The spokesman said U.S. sales of the 2015 Sierra Elevation Edition totaled 500 last month, or 15 percent of all double-cab deliveries.

The spokesman said, “Volume has grown steadily.”