NEW YORK – General Motors said it’s expanding its Denali sub-brand with the debut of the 2013 Terrain Denali, which is powered by a new 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The new engine features direct injection and continuously variable valve timing, and replaces the 3.0L V-6 engine in Terrain lineup for the 2013 model-year.

Powertrain and Performance

GM said the vehicle’s new 3.6L engine is SAE certified at 301 horsepower (224 kW) and 272 lb.-ft. (369 Nm) of torque, better than its predecessor, but the company expects it to deliver the same fuel economy (the automaker hasn’t announced official numbers yet).

The Terrain’s standard Ecotec 2.4L inline four-cylinder engine with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing is also available for this vehicle, and gets 32 mpg highway (2WD model). Front-wheel drive is standard on Terrain Denali, with all-wheel drive available for both engines.

In terms of features, GM said models with the 2.4L engine feature 18-inch wheels, while the V-6 engine is paired with 19-inch wheels.

Exterior

Other Denali-specific exterior features include the following:

• Signature chrome grille

• Satin chrome accents

• Body color front and rear fascias

• Body color rocker panels with satin chrome molding

• New headlamp and taillamp designs

• Dual chrome finish exhaust outlets (single outlet on 2.4L)

Interior

The automaker said the Terrain Denali’s cabin updates are highlighted by soft-touch Jet Black leather, which lines the seats and door inserts. The interior also features contrast stitching and red accent lighting. Other Denali-exclusive interior details include:

• Soft-touch instrument panel with French stitching

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with smoked mahogany wood accents

• Embossed Denali logos on front seatbacks

• Smoked mahogany wood trim accents

• Denali illuminated front sill plates

• Eight-way power driver and passenger seat

The new 2013-MY Terrain Denali comes standard with a color touch radio with IntelliLink. This new infotainment system features a reconfigurable home screen; voice commands; Bluetooth smartphone integration; control of streaming Internet radio apps, such as Pandora and Stitcher; and iPod controls with Gracenote music database technology.

Safety Features

The new vehicle also features a range of safety features, including forward collision alert and lane departure warning, which are standard on Terrain Denali. They use a single-camera crash-avoidance system to visually and audibly warn drivers when a collision is about to happen or when the vehicle crosses a lane marker. The vehicle also features a side blind zone and rear cross traffic alert that helps avoid collisions by using radar to watch areas on the road that driver might not be able to see and provide warnings (visual and audbile).

Options and Convenience Features

The 2013-MY Terrain Denali comes with a programmable power liftgate, which is standard. Cargo space is at 63.9 cubic feet (behind the first row). A memory function can stop the liftgate at height the user chooses.

Available technology options include color touch navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The Terrain Denali comes with six free months of OnStar’s Directions and Connections plan. It includes Automatic Crash Response, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, roadside assistance, emergency services link, stolen vehicle assistance, and remote door unlock.

GM said it plans to announce pricing and availability of the 2013 Terrain Denali and Terrain 3.6L V-6 closer to the on-sale date in the third quarter of 2012.