Q:)Â Â Â Why go for the top-of-the-line Sierra Denali ?
A:)Â Â Â Allows optional 6.2-liter engine, style and cabin materials.
The Denali is the only Sierra 1500 that is offered with the 6.2-liter V8 versus the top 5.3-liter engine in the standard trims.
It is also equipped with perhaps 50 pieces of desirable equipment, including mechanical pieces like the external diff and transmission coolers, tougher undertrays, and a huge overhaul inside to bring this truck near-Escalade refinement levels.
The road noise reduction and standard equipment inclusion is likely to biggest reason to go Denali over the $2,000-less SLE trim at the top of the regular 1500 range.
Why stick with SLT or SLE trims, and add just the exact options you want?
Whisper it, but the Denali is a bit chrome-heavy these days. The regular trucks are more monochome, with the painted bumpers and sills that really look a bit more current than the brightwork all over the Denali.
Overall, the price jump from SLE to Denali is very modest. In addition, the dream of finding an SLE or SLT with exactly what you want will actually be pretty rare out in the real world.
But if you have time in advance, ordering an SLT with nearly all of the Denali options would be my bet. This means waiting six to eight weeks for the truck to arrive in most cases, but the time will fly by versus spending $5000 extra on items you may or may not want on your SLE or SLT.
A final note is regarding the new All Terrain package that is available. I would strongly discourage most people from purchasing this. Yes, it brings the 4×4 Z71 decals as standard, plus some extra protection for the engine tray and components.
But typically, most off-road packages make the road-going ride far too hard to be worthwhile in the long term.
Compromise? The Z71 and 4×4 Z71 stickers are also sold separately from the big $3,000 All Terrain package…
WHEEL STYLES
On my Sierra Denali as configured below, the key options I chose are:
— Chrome step-in bars delete; replaced with black ones
— Three-section soft-close bed cover
— 6.2-liter V8 engine
— 4×4
— Dark 22-inch wheels with all-season tires.
DENALI COLORS
Standard Equipment — 2014 Sierra Denali from $47,000
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Mechanical
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·        Engine, 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 with Active Fuel Management Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing, includes aluminum block construction with Flex Fuel capability, capable of running on unleaded or up to 85% ethanol (355 hp [265 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 383 lb-ft of torque [518 Nm] @ 4100 rpm; more than 300 lb-ft of torque from 2000 to 5600 rpm) (STD)
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·        Transmission, 6-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode. Includes Cruise Grade Braking and Powertrain Grade Braking (STD)
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·        Rear axle, 3.42 ratio
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·        GVWR, 7200 lbs. (3266 kg) (Requires 4WD models.)
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·        Air cleaner, high-capacity
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·        Differential, heavy-duty locking rear
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·        Transfer case, 4WD, active electronic Autotrac with rotary dial control (Included with 4WD models only.)
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·        Suspension Package, High-Performance
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·        Four wheel drive
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·        Cooling, external engine oil cooler
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·        Cooling, auxiliary external transmission oil cooler
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·        Alternator, 150 amps
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·        Battery, heavy-duty 720 cold-cranking amps/80 Amp-hr, maintenance-free with rundown protection and retained accessory power (Included and only available with V8 engines.)
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·        Frame, fully-boxed, hydroformed front section
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·        Underbody shield, transfer case protection (Standard on 4WD models only.)
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·        Recovery hooks, front, frame-mounted, black
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·        Cargo tie downs (4) , movable upper
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·        Steering, Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist, rack-and-pinion
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·        Brakes, 4-wheel disc with DURALIFE rotors, 4-wheel antilock
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·        Exhaust, aluminized stainless-steel muffler and tailpipe
Interior
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Audio system, 8″ Diagonal Color Touch Screen Navigation with IntelliLink, AM/FM/SiriusXM/HD with USB ports, auxiliary jack, SD card slot, Bluetooth streaming audio for music and most phones, hands-free smartphone integration, Pandora Internet radio and voice-activated technology for radio and phone (See “gmtotalconnect.com” for phone compatibility info.) (STD)
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·        SiriusXM Satellite Radio and HD Radio
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·        Bose Sound with 6 speaker system (7 speaker system including subwoofer when ordered with bucket seats)
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·        Single-slot CD/MP3 player
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·        Bluetooth for phone personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system (See “gmtotalconnect.com” for phone compatibility info.)
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·        Steering wheel audio controls
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·        Seats, front full-feature leather-appointed bucket Includes 12-way power driver and front passenger seat adjusters, including 4-way power lumbar control, 2-position driver memory, adjustable head restraints, (D07) floor console and storage pockets. (STD)
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·        Seating, heated and cooled perforated leather-appointed front bucket
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·        Seat, rear 60/40 folding bench (folds up), 3-passenger (includes child seat top tether anchor)
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·        Console, floor mounted, reconfigurable with moveable cup holders, cell phone storage, power cord management and hanging file holder capability
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·        Floor covering, color-keyed carpeting
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·        Floor mats, color-keyed carpeted first and second row
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·        Steering column, manual Tilt-Wheel and telescoping
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·        Steering wheel, leather-wrapped with audio and cruise controls
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·        Steering wheel, heated
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·        Instrumentation, 6-gauge cluster featuring speedometer, fuel level, engine temperature, tachometer, voltage and oil pressure
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·        Display, enhanced driver instrument information , 8″ multi-color configurable
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·        Windows, power with driver express up and down and express down on all other windows
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·        Door locks, power
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·        Pedals, power-adjustable
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·        Remote Keyless Entry
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·        Remote vehicle starter system
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·        Universal Home Remote
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·        Cruise control, steering wheel-mounted
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·        Theft-deterrent system, unauthorized entry
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·        Air conditioning, dual-zone automatic climate control
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·        Defogger, rear-window electric
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·        Power outlet, 110-volt AC
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·        Mirror, inside rearview auto-dimming
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·        Visors, driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
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·        Assist handle, front passenger on A-pillar
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·        Front and Rear Park Assist, Ultrasonic
Exterior
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Wheels, 4 – 20″ x 9″ (50.8 cm x 22.9 cm) chrome (STD)
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·        Tires, P275/55R20 all-season, blackwall (STD)
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·        LPO, Polished exhaust tip (dealer installed)
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·        Wheel, full-size spare, 17″ x 7″ (43.2 cm x 17.8 cm) aluminum (Included and only available with model K15543 and (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine. )
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·        Wheelhouse liners, rear
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·        Tire, spare P265/70R17 all-season, blackwall
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·        Tire carrier lock keyed cylinder lock that utilizes same key as ignition and door
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·        Bumper, front, body-color
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·        Bumper, rear body-color with corner steps
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·        CornerStep, rear bumper
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·        Assist steps, chromed tubular, 6″ rectangular (factory installed) (May delete (BVQ) and add any any LPO assist steps (RVQ), (RVS) or (VXJ) by selecting (R8M) BVQ assist step delete.)
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·        Moldings, bodyside, chrome
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·        Grille, Denali Chrome
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·        Headlamps, halogen projector with LED signature
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·        Fog lamps, front, halogen
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·        Lamps, cargo area, cab mounted with switch on center switch bank
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·        Mirrors, outside chrome cap, heated power-adjustable, power-folding and driver-side auto-dimming with integrated turn signal indicators and puddle lamps (includes driver’s side spotter mirror)
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·        Mirror caps, chrome
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·        Window, power, rear sliding with rear defogger
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·        Glass, deep-tinted
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·        LED Lighting, cargo box with switch on center switch bank
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·        Tailgate and bed rail protection caps, top
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·        Tailgate, locking utilizes same key as ignition and door
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·        Tailgate, EZ-Lift and Lower
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·        Door handles, chrome
Safety
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Daytime Running Lamps with automatic exterior lamp control
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·        Air bags, dual-stage frontal and side-impact, driver and front passenger and head-curtain and seat-mounted side-impact, front and rear outboard seating positions with Passenger Sensing System (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owners Manual for more information.)
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·        Air bag, Passenger Sensing System
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·        OnStar, 6 months of Directions and Connections plan includes Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Roadside Assistance and Turn-by-Turn Navigation (Visit onstar.com for coverage map, details and system limitations. Services vary by model and conditions.)
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·        Rear Vision Camera with dynamic guide lines
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·        Tire Pressure Monitoring System (does not apply to spare tire)
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·        StabiliTrak, stability control system with Proactive Roll Avoidance and traction control, includes electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist
Standard Equipment — 2014 GMC Sierra 1SA from $27,000
Sierra 1SA Standard Equipment
2014 GMC Sierra 1SA EXTERIOR
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Bumper, front chrome
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Bumper, rear chrome with rear bumper corner steps
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CornerStep, rear bumper
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Door handles, Black
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Glass, solar absorbing, tinted
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Grille surround, chrome
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Headlamps, halogen projector
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Lamps, cargo area, cab mounted with switch on center switch bank
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Mirrors, outside manual, Black
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Tailgate and bed rail protection caps, top
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Tailgate, locking utilizes same key as ignition and door
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Tire carrier lock keyed cylinder lock that utilizes same key as ignition and door
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Tire, spare P255/70R17 all-season, blackwall (Included and only available with (RBZ) P255/70R17 all-season, blackwall tires.)
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Tires, P255/70R17 all-season, blackwall (STD)
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Wheel, full-size spare, 17″ x 7″ (43.2 cm x 17.8 cm) aluminum (Included and only available with model K15703 or C15703 and (LV3) 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine.)
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Wheels, 17″ x 8″ (43.2 cm x 20.3 cm) painted steel (STD)
2014 GMC Sierra 1SA INTERIOR
- Audio system feature, 4-speaker system
- Audio system, 4.2″ Diagonal Color Display, AM/FM stereo with USB ports, auxiliary jack and SD card slot (STD)
- SiriusXM Satellite Radio, delete
- Air conditioning, single-zone
- Assist handle, front passenger on A-pillar (Includes rear assist handles in the headliner on crew cab models.)
- Cruise control, steering wheel-mounted
- Door locks, power
- Driver Information Center, 3.5-inch diagonal monochromatic display provides warning messages and basic vehicle information
- Floor covering, Graphite-colored rubberized-vinyl
- Instrumentation, 6-gauge cluster featuring speedometer, fuel level, engine temperature, tachometer, voltage and oil pressure
- Seats, front 40/20/40 split-bench 3-passenger, driver and front passenger recline with outboard head restraints and center fold-down armrest with storage. Vinyl has fixed lumbar and cloth has manually adjustable driver lumbar. (STD)
- Steering column, manual Tilt-Wheel
2014 GMC Sierra 1SA MECHANICAL
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Alternator, 150 amps
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Battery, heavy-duty 730 cold-cranking amps/70 Amp-hr, maintenance-free with rundown protection and retained accessory power
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Brakes, 4-wheel disc with DURALIFE rotors, 4-wheel antilock
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Cargo tie downs (4) , movable upper
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Cooling, external engine oil cooler
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Engine, 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 with Active Fuel Management Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing, includes aluminum block construction with FlexFuel capability, capable of running on unleaded or up to 85% ethanol (285 hp [212 kW] @ 5300 rpm, 305 lb-ft of torque [413 Nm] @ 3900 rpm) (STD)
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Exhaust, aluminized stainless-steel muffler and tailpipe
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Frame, fully-boxed, hydroformed front section
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GVWR, 6700 lbs. (3039 kg)
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Rear axle, 3.23 ratio (Standard and only available on (LV3) 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine with 2WD models.)
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Rear wheel drive
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Steering, Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist, rack-and-pinion
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Suspension Package, Handling/Trailering, heavy-duty includes 46 mm piston monotube shocks and 36mm front stabilizer bar
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Transmission, 6-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode. Includes Cruise Grade Braking and Powertrain Grade Braking (STD)
2014 GMC Sierra 1SA SAFETY
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Air bags, dual-stage frontal and side-impact, driver and front passenger and head-curtain and seat-mounted side-impact, front and rear outboard seating positions with Passenger Sensing System (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owners Manual for more information.)
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Daytime Running Lamps with automatic exterior lamp control
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OnStar Delete
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System (does not apply to spare tire)
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StabiliTrak, stability control system with Proactive Roll Avoidance and traction control, includes electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist
Sierra 1SA Wheel Options
Sierra 1SA COLORS
Overall, both great trucks.
The Denali has a few unique benefits – including my ideal dark five-spoke 22’s that are not available on the lower priced 1SA, SLE and SLT — but the cheaper trims would still be my choice.
 Build your own at GMC.com today!
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Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.