OSHAWA ? GMC, the brand known for professional grade capability and engineering excellence, is taking in-vehicle connectivity to the next level on the 2012 Terrain. The compact crossover with segment-leading fuel efficiency will expand its already-extensive list of standard and available features in late 2011 with a simple-to-use, customizable infotainment system and expanded wireless capability.

The 2012 Terrain will be the first vehicle to offer GMC IntelliLink, which uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver's smartphone to Terrain's new seven-inch, high-resolution, full-colour touch screen display radio. IntelliLink expands on the current Terrain's Bluetooth and USB capabilities to allow smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls, and streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like Stiticher SmartRadio.

Most importantly, IntelliLink enables seamless integration of stowed portable devices with Terrain's infotainment system, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Consumer interest in onboard connectivity is rising with smartphone sales. Apple sold 16.2 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2010, and Android sales jumped 886 per cent from 2009 to 2010. Two and a half years ago, only one in 10 Americans had a smartphone. By the end of 2013, there will be 1.1 billion smartphones, with annual sales of 300 million units, according to research firm Parks Associates Industries.

"Today's car buyers want more out of their cars. They want to be connected at all times and have access to media personalization wherever they are," said Sharon Sikorski, marketing manager for GM Canada. "GMC IntelliLink allows customers to experience this and we're proud to say that the Canadian-built 2012 GMC Terrain be the first vehicle to offer it."

One doesn't need a smartphone to benefit from IntelliLink. The system works with a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, USB flash drive or digital audio player. Even without a mobile device, GMC owners will benefit from IntelliLink's enhanced voice recognition technology and OnStar's on-screen turn-by-turn directions.

The new benefits provided by GMC IntelliLink include:

• Enhanced hands-free voice control system powered by Nuance, which allows simple voice commands to initiate phone calls and select radio stations or media from portable MP3 players and smartphones. A tap of a button on the steering wheel enables intuitive verbal control of many radio features like "play (artist name)" or "call (name of contact)". When a smart phone is connected you can say "tune (internet radio, station name)."
• Stitcher SmartRadio allow users to create personalized radio stations based on favourite artists or genres and enables access to thousands of audio programming choices allowing customers to build a personalized listening experience. IntelliLink integrates control of both of these apps for a driver-directed listening experience.
• Gracenote^® identifies the music collection on the driver's USB device, MP3 player or smartphone and presents information such as artist name, genres and album cover art on the IntelliLink screen and enables users to select similar music to the tunes they love.   Gracenote also improves the accuracy of IntelliLink's voice activation system by allowing users to access music using artist nicknames, such as "The Boss," "The Stones," or "Snoop" using IntelliLink's voice control interfaces activated through the touch-screen or steering wheel buttons.
• Upgraded USB connectivity adds the ability to play music files directly from flash memory devices, and gives the customer the ability to update IntelliLink with future feature enhancements.
• GMC IntelliLink retains all the capabilities of today's entertainment units, and adds to Terrain's comprehensive list of standard and available features, which includes purposeful technologies such as:
• Standard rear-vision camera that provides a view of objects or people directly behind the vehicle
• Standard USB audio connectivity and MP3 playback for your portable music player ? plug it in and control the features right from the radio or the optional steering wheel controls and USB thumb drives or (say USB enabled storage devices)
• Standard XM Satellite Radio, which provides coast-to-coast tunes
• Programmable power liftgate that can be set to open to a lower height, clearing garage obstructions or making it easier to reach for those of shorter stature
• Remote vehicle start that can be used to automatically heat up a cold Terrain on a January morning, or cool it down on a hot August afternoon.

GMC IntelliLink's designers drew inspiration from the intuitive, easy-to-use interfaces found on many popular consumer electronics. The influence can be seen on the home page with application icons that animate when activated. The touch screen's structured, technical graphics and red-and-grey colour combination evoke GMC's "professional grade" personality and Terrain's bold exterior styling.

The debut of GMC IntelliLink extends the OnStar experience from safety and security to information and entertainment by seamlessly integrating the capability of a smartphone into the vehicle so that hand-held phones may be safely stowed while driving.

When OnStar debuted in 1996, it pioneered in-vehicle connectivity with the auto industry's first embedded telematics system. It has grown from primarily offering automatic crash notification and security features to include remote vehicle diagnostics, turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to slow down stolen vehicles. In November 2010, OnStar released a smartphone application for all 2011 GMC vehicles that incorporated remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks.