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Chicago '08 Preview: GMC Denali XT: Four-door, flex-fuel, hybrid Ute!
Another embargo bites the dust, but at least it made it this far. Keep reading for all the details on the GMC Denali XT Concept that will debut next week at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.
Ever since it became know that GM would be bringing the rear-wheel-drive Pontiac G8 sedan to the US market from Australia, fans of the old El Camino have been salivating for them to bring over the Holden "Ute", as well. For the uninitiated, Australians use the term "Ute" to describe utility vehicles that are car-based pickup trucks. Both Holden and Ford offer Utes based on their rear-wheel-drive passenger car platforms.
Camino fans can now relax, because the first US iteration is arriving in Chicago this week and it's got some interesting twists. The GMC Denali XT concept is inspired by the Holden Crewman, which was a four-door variant of the Commodore with a pickup truck bed out back. While this layout is nothing new to our friends Down Under, what is unique to the Denali XT is its powertrain, and it provides some interesting hints as to what we might be seeing in this and other vehicles from the General. Read on to find out more.
Gallery: GMC Denali XT Hybrid Concept
click any image to enlarge
After we got our first shot at driving the two-mode Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrid SUVs last Spring, we speculated that we might see the two-mode hybrid drivetrain on some Zeta platform vehicles if new, stricter fuel economy rules went into effect. Well, those regulations have now become law and the anticipated Zeta-based version of the next generation Chevy Impala is currently up in the air. A two-mode Zeta could be just what's needed to make it happen. The Denali XT concept has just such an installation. It's the first public appearance of a Zeta-based vehicle with GM's advanced hybrid setup.
But wait, there's more! Every transmission needs an engine to go with it. In this case, GM has conjured up a new 4.9L version of the stalwart small-block V-8, and in typical GM fashion of late, it is capable of running quite happily on either E85 or gasoline. That makes this GM's first ever flex-fuel capable hybrid set-up.
Such a deal you say. But wait, there's more! The gasoline or ethanol still has to get to the combustion chambers in order to produce power. Here again, the latest technology is adapted to the traditional engine architecture. The engine in this concept has direct fuel injection allowing it to produce more power than a port-injected version with lower fuel consumption and emissions. And, of course, the Active Fuel Management (GM's name for cylinder deactivation) is also part of the package. All that stuff adds up to a 50% boost in fuel efficiency over a conventional setup.
This flex-fuel, direct-injected hybrid setup is rated at 326 horsepower, which on the rear-wheel-drive Denali allows for towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and 1,100 pounds of payload capacity. The unit-body trucklet has a 55-inch long by 47.5-inch wide bed in the back. For those times when you need to haul longer stuff, the XT inherits the MidGate setup from the bigger Chevy Avalanche, HUMMER H2 SUT and Cadillac Escalade.
For once a sport utility truck might actually have some sport in it thanks to the independent suspension at all four corners, just like a sedan. The suspension height is adjustable, although only the rear wheels provide tractive effort, so this isn't an off-roader.
Be sure to check out PickupTruck.com for a thorough inspection of the GMC Denali XT Hybrid. |
Other images from this galleryGallery Chicago-08-Preview-GMC-Denali-XT-Four-door-flex-fuel-hybrid-Ute--gallery
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| Chicago '08 Preview: GMC Denali XT: Four-door, flex-fuel, hybrid Ute!
| Chicago '08 Preview: GMC Denali XT: Four-door, flex-fuel, hybrid Ute!
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