Rivian R1T Power Tonneau Problems and More Truck News You Missed

Here's a look at the best news in the truck, 4x4, and off-road world that you've missed.

Related:See an Escalade Take on a Red Target Sphere!

That's a lotta name, but it's a lotta truck. The new Denali Ultimate shows up as a 2024 GMC Sierra HD luxury trim edition (you can't escape a luxo pickup anymore) and includes 2500 and 3500 models. You'll probably notice mild exterior changes, such as grille design and front bumper, and some different wheels. An available 6.6-liter Duramax joins the 6.6-liter gas engine, but with a new turbocharger. When matched to the Allison 10-speed transmission, the diesel sees a bump to 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. That gas engine gets the 10-speed now rather than the previous six-speed. No pricing has been set yet.

Renault's 4L Trophy vehicle has been gone for many years, but it's back in the form of the 4EVER Trophy electric off-roader.

A TRD-developed lift kit is available for the 2022-and-newer Toyota Tundra, good for a 3-inch lift in front and 2 inches in the rear. It's a dealer-installed option. You'll get TRD-tuned coils, Bilstein shocks, and Roush forged upper control arms. Prepare for an MSRP of $3,995.

Nissan's Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi has now made 5 million vehicles since it started up in 2003.

Discount Tire opened its first Pit Pass retail store in Atlanta, a tech-friendly setup designed to equal "speedy tire and wheel services from the comfort of a customer's vehicle in a drive-thru experience," they said.

The best new vehicles for the aftermarket (based on trend-setting-ness)? If you ask the SEMA Award about its finalists heading into the 2022 SEMA Show, you get a cage match between the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma, Ram and Toyota Tundra, and Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner.

A GMC Sierra EV has happened: 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1. It's said to make 754 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque when Max Power is activated. Full charge estimate: 400 miles.

Some 2022-2023 GMC Hummer EVs have a safety recall due to the battery pack enclosure not being properly sealed, which could allow water in.

The Defense Innovation Unit has GM Defense developing a battery pack prototype for testing and analysis on DOD platforms. It'll be based on the Ultium Platform, "as it works to meet DIU's requirement for a scalable design that can be used for tactical military vehicles," said GM in a statement.

• Has AAA research revealed that automatic emergency braking systems don't fare so well in automatic emergency braking scenarios, notably when dealing with higher speeds and moving-vehicle detection?
• Of the nearly 275 vehicle models available in the U.S., do the same 30 that keep getting bought, according to research by Kelley Blue Book? And did the Ford F-150 alone outsell 31 other brands (yup, brands) including Jeep and Nissan?
• Are you sensing a Chevy mashup on the GMC Canyon AT4X, à la their Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison AEV?
• Did VW realize no one wanted touch-sensitive controls and opt to bring back actual push-buttons on the steering wheel?
• Is the Rivian R1T power tonneau causing so many problems for owners that the automaker is working on a replacement?