2009 GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid Announced for New York Debut

2009 GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid

Supersized SUV still comes with a 6.0 liter V8 with 332 hp (248 kW) and 367 lb-ft (498 Nm) of torque

By Alex Ricciuti
April 6, 2009 8:01 am
Filed Under: American, GMC, Hybrid, New York Auto Show

GM will be debuting its GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid at the New York auto show this week.

The failing US automaker boasts that the hybrid drive-train provides a 50 percent improvement in city-driving fuel economy. Over what, they don't specify. They also say, "hey, this has the same mileage as a Toyota Camry V6 driving in the city," as if that is supposed to be a terrifically impressive fact to cite.

Now, this type of SUV used to get about 11 mpg back in its hey-day in the 1990s. So, it's actually a doubling of economy if they go that far back. Why not just say that? It sounds less stretching that way.

The GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid comes with a 6.0 liter Vortec V8 producing 332 hp (248 kW) and 367 lb-ft (498 Nm) of torque. Now, that's the impressive number. Why not just stick to that? Other goodies include the 22-inch, 8-spoke chrome wheels and the MagnaRide suspension, which can adjust the shock absorber damping rate due to magnetic particles in the fluid.

Prices start at $59,185 for the rear-wheel drive Yukon Denali Hybrid and $62,030 for the 4-wheel drive version.

A full-sized SUV as a hybrid? Well, thanks, GM. But could this be a case of too much too late?

Source: GM

Press Release (Click to expand)

GMC EXPANDS HYBRID PORTFOLIO WITH ADDITION OF YUKON DENALI HYBRID

Joins Yukon Hybrid SUV and Sierra Hybrid Pickup, Making GMC the First Manufacturer to Offer Three Full-Size Hybrid Models

Provides full-size luxury and capability with more than 50-percent increase in city fuel economy
Powered by GM's advanced, patented, two-mode hybrid technology
Eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid powertrain warranty with no deductibles

NEW YORK - GMC's all-new 2009 Yukon Denali Hybrid makes its world debut at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. It is a luxurious, full-size SUV that seats eight, tows up to 5,800 pounds (2,636 kg) and achieves an estimated 21 miles per gallon in city driving, thanks to the engineering excellence of the Yukon's patented 2-mode hybrid system.

The GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid arrives in May at Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealer showrooms. It joins the Yukon Hybrid and Sierra Hybrid pickup truck in the GMC hybrid lineup, making GMC the first manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid models.

"The eight-passenger GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid goes just as far on a gallon of gas in the city as a much smaller, V-6 Toyota Camry sedan," said Susan Docherty, vice president, Buick-Pontiac-GMC. "And in terms of fuel savings, the GMC Yukon Denali saves about 250 gallons of fuel a year over the Lexus GX 470."

The GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid infuses a new level of luxury to the Yukon Hybrid introduced for the 2008 model year. Docherty said the number one consideration for those purchasing the GMC Yukon Hybrid is fuel economy (80 percent); followed by 66 percent for its environmentally friendly technologies and more than half because of its technological innovation.

Patented, industry-leading hybrid technology
GM's most advanced hybrid technology drives the GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid's superior fuel economy, performance and load-carrying capability. Powering this hybrid system is a fully integrated combination of two lightweight electric motors packaged in the transmission; an electronic brake emulator that provides blended regenerative braking; electric power steering and an electric air conditioning compressor.

The heart of the system is GM's 6.0L Vortec V-8 engine with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management, late intake valve closing and variable valve timing technologies. It produces 332 horsepower (248 kW) and 367 lb.-ft. (498 Nm) of torque.

Unique hybrid exterior, luxurious interior
The Yukon Denali Hybrid rides on new 22-inch, eight-spoke, flangeless chrome wheels that make a unique Denali appearance statement.

Inside, designers filled the cabin with luxurious amenities such as standard 12-way power, heated/cooled leather-appointed perforated front seating and heated, second-row, leather-appointed bench seating. Buyers may choose an Ebony or Cashmere interior. The only three options on this fully equipped vehicle are a sunroof, rear-seat entertainment DVD system and side blind zone alert mirrors.

Enhanced connectivity includes standard OnStar with Directions & Connections and Turn-by-Turn Navigation, navigation radio with rear camera system, a Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System and three years of real-time XM NavTraffic.

A comprehensive safety package of crashworthiness and crash-avoidance features includes front- and side-impact air bags, anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak with traction control. The Yukon Denali Hybrid also is equipped with GM's MagnaRide suspension, the first application of this advanced technology in a Yukon. MagnaRide uses magnetic particles in the shock absorber fluid to adjust the damping rate of the shock absorbers - based on road conditions and vehicle dynamics - to help keep tires in contact with the road.

MSRP starts at $59,185 (2WD) and $62,030 (4WD), including the destination freight charge of $950. Buyers may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,200.

GMC YUKON DENALI HYBRID PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model:	GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid
Body style / driveline:	four-door sport-utility vehicle, front-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2- or 4-wheel drive, half-ton models
Construction:	body on frame
EPA vehicle class:	full-size sport-utility vehicle
Manufacturing location:	Arlington, Texas

Engine

	Vortec 6.0L V-8 (LFA)
Type:	6.0L V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc):	364 / 5967
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	4.00 x 3.62 / 101.6 x 92
Block material:	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	overhead valve, two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing
Ignition system:	coil-near-plug ignition, iridium electrode tip/ iridium core spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires
Fuel delivery:	Active Fuel Management™; sequential fuel injection
Compression ratio:	10.8:1
Horsepower (hp/ kW @ rpm):	332 / 248 @ 5100*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):	367 / 498 @ 4100*
Fuel:	regular unleaded
Maximum engine speed (rpm):	6000
Emissions controls:	close-coupled catalytic converter, Quick Sync 58X ignition, returnless fuel rail, fast-response O² sensor
EPA fuel economy (city / hwy):	2WD: 21 / 22

Transmission

Type:	2-Mode continuous electric ratio hybrid transmission with four fixed gears
Gear ratios (:1):
First:	3.69
Second:	1.70
Third:	1.00
Fourth:	0.73
Reverse:	infinite – 1.70
EVT1:	infinite – 1.70
EVT2:	1.70 – 0.5
Final drive ratio:	3.08

Vehicle Power System

Power electronics system:	300-volt (transmission, air conditioning, heater pump, front crash sensor); 42-volt (power steering); 12-volt (vehicle accessories)
Batteries:	300-volt (hybrid system); 12-volt (vehicle accessories)

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	independent, coil-over-shock
Rear:	five-link with coil springs
Traction control:	all-speed traction control with Magnetic Selective Ride Control
Steering type:	42-volt electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio:	17.75:1
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	3
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	39.04 / 11.9

Brakes

Type:

four-wheel disc, four-wheel ABS; with regenerative capability

Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):

front: 13 x 1.18 / 330.2 x 30

rear: 13.5 x .787 / 345 x 20

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	22-inch x 9-inch 8-spoke flangeless chrome
Tires:	P285/45R22 blackwall AL 2 Touring

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	116 / 2946
Overall length (in / mm):	202 / 5130
Overall width (in / mm):	79 / 2007
Overall height (in / mm):	2WD: 76.9 / 1954 4WD: 77 / 1955
Aerodynamic profile (cd):	0.34
Track (in / mm):	front: 68.2 / 1732 rear: 67 / 1702
Minimum ground clearance (in / mm):	9 / 229
Step-in height (in / mm):	2WD: 21.8 / 553 4WD: 22 / 558
Ground to top of load floor (in / mm):	2WD: 31.7 / 804 4WD: 31.6 / 802
Approach angle (deg):	17
Departure angle (deg):	21.9
Curb weight (lb / kg):	2WD: 5712 / 2596 4WD: 6047 / 2749
Weight distribution (% front / rear):	2WD: 53 / 47 4WD: 54 / 46

Interior

	First Row	Second Row	Third Row
Seating capacity (8 max):	2	3	3
Headroom (in / mm):	41.1 / 1043	38.5 / 978	38.2 / 971
Legroom (in / mm):	41.3 / 1049	40.5/ 1031	25.4 / 644
Shoulder room (in / mm):	65.3 / 1658	65.3 / 1657	61.7 / 1566
Hip room (in / mm):	64.4 / 1636	60.6 / 1539	49.1 / 1246
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):
Behind 1^st row, 2^nd row folded no third row	108.9 / 3084
Behind 2^nd row no third row		60.3 / 1707
Behind 3^rd row			16.9 / 478

Capacities

EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):	108.9 / 3084
GVWR (lb / kg):	2WD: 7300 / 3318 4WD: 7500 / 3409
GCWR (lb / kg):	12000 / 5443
Payload, base (lb / kg):	2WD: 1369 / 622 4WD: 1339 / 609 (with third-row seat)
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):	2WD: 5800 / 2636 4WD: 5600 / 2545
Fuel tank (gal / L):	24.5 / 92.7
Engine oil (qt / L):	6 / 5.7
Cooling system (qt / L):	16.8 / 15.9

*SAE certified.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

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Tags: Yukon Denali Hybrid, Yukon Denali, GM hybrid

Comments

Renegade

April 6, 2009 1:04 pm

22 mpg for this big guy? It's pretty good, and yeah the 90's my days of childhood, whoo good times.

Bristol411S3

April 6, 2009 1:06 pm

I saw "Who Killed The Electric Car?" yesterday and the positioning of this product in the GM range has now been put in context. It left me feeling that GM doesn't deserve to survive and I imagine GM are very annoyed that none of the oil companies, earning their biggest profits ever on the back of a high oil price last year, have stepped forward to help them now they're facing bankrupcy.

Joe_Limon

April 6, 2009 1:31 pm

... there already was a Yukon hybrid... even an escalade hybrid. What is new is that it is the Denali version of it that is also getting it's "green" badge. As to the 50% improvement, they mean of the current non hybrid version... this is some very sketchy reporting wcf.

April 6, 2009 2:54 pm

I still haven't figured out WCF's particular taste. Anything American, they view with disdain. British, they are kinda here and there on their reporting. They seem to view some, but not all European and Japanese cars favorably. Their only opinion I really agree with is on Hyundai's progress. But their reporting has recently begun to reflect most of the ignorant comments posted here.

BrianWCF

April 6, 2009 4:26 pm

Mustang5507, WCF as a whole doesn't have any particular agenda or angle when it comes to reporting cars. However, we have two guys in the U.S., 2 guys in Europe and one guy in South Africa. Each of them has their own preferences and we give them the freedom to reflect that in their reports without being excessively biased or judgmental.

Joe_limon, as per the related links section included in this story we are aware that this is just a Yukon hybrid receiving the Denali pkg, but that is not so interesting to us. The future of GM is at stake and Alex, the writer, chose to do more of a commentary on this vehicle instead of a news report. Perhaps Alex should have been more specific to highlight the relevance of the product to avoid confusion.

Edited by user on April 6, 2009 at 4:27 pm

Renegade

April 7, 2009 10:30 am

Maybe you should get a guy from Japan too, that way u can cover the zones where most car builders came from.

BrianWCF

April 8, 2009 6:09 pm

Renegade, if we were hiring, that would be ideal. But it's not so easy finding a English langauge writer there.

MTC

April 6, 2009 2:02 pm

is that really possible? for it to achieve 21 mpg while weighting 2.5 tons.

Edited by user on April 6, 2009 at 2:08 pm

alessandro

April 6, 2009 2:20 pm

The manifesto of the crisis. That new Terrain thing as well.

freeway

April 6, 2009 2:54 pm

and BTW, what do they hope to achieve with this 2.5 tons mammoth even if it's a hybrid (a hybrid old SUV)??? it will surely save the GM from bankruptcy... ha, ha, ha... as the wcf said: "A full-sized SUV as a hybrid? Well, thanks, GM. But could this be a case of too much too late?" Yes, surely it's too late and Mr. Fritz has not too many options left

MAB

April 6, 2009 3:16 pm

I think this Denali Hybrid is the perfect example of every manufacturer's dilemma at the moment. They feel that NO ONE is buying cars. Sales are down. Toyota reported their first loss, in what, 60 years?

Folks are afraid to make big purchases right now - the end of 08 was terrifying. And since the car market is so cool right now and GM is teetering with being able to stay in business, this is what they're left with. Playing dress up. Using an established asset and dressing it up with different bumpers, leather stitching and the like, then making a big announcement for it.

What else can anyone do? Develop something new? Not right now, not with the costs involved AND a scary marketplace. Why try and build something exciting when no one is buying anyhow? Sad, sad, sad.

BENZian

April 6, 2009 3:16 pm

...you people are kinda sickening with the GM/Anti-American bashing...give it a rest. I am not an SUV supporter but there is a market for them...and a 50% increase in mpg is very significant. All of the automakers need to do what they can to increase mpg across their model lines. Fiat was the weakest European auto maker for MANY years and tettered on the edge of actual bankruptcy so many times they were assumed D.O.A. Fiat has made a turn-around and so will GM. None of us can change the past but we can make better decisions in the future. This is what GM is doing.

radmeister

April 6, 2009 4:51 pm

If i was to buy one of these it would be to haul something heavy, or hit up some rough dirt roads. In which case the Hybrid would make it worse because the engine would be going full blast anyways and it would have the extra weight of the system to carry also. I think GM should focus on practicality, if people aren't buying cars it's because they either have a car already of public transportation is ok and they arent willing to spend $ for what new GM cars offer. To overcome this problem they should cars that are practical and can offer you a new driving experience.

RS5

April 6, 2009 6:45 pm

I don't exactly understand the point of this car. First of all, if you are wealthy enough to buy the Yukon Denali in this economy, you are probably not too worried about the cost of gas. And then there is a premium for the Hybrid as opposed to the regular, and it is questionable whether the savings in gas will even compensate the premium. Then of course, performance figures are drastically affected, as in the Escalade Hybrid. So to me, this vehicle is one moronic idea.

Joe_Limon

April 6, 2009 9:52 pm

I think it is more of a protection thing, the hybrid badge might save your vehicle from getting keyed by environmentalists.

carcrazy1234

April 7, 2009 3:15 am

this is the exact reason why GM should NOT be a car company any longer. incompetence. also, they just don't know when to listen to the general public, workers, buyers, and also their current economical standpoint. sad... truly sad.

carcrazy1234

April 7, 2009 3:18 am

however, i have read a couple of the comments above and would like to add. i agree to the fact that creating something new would also be a horrible idea. i quote: "Why try and build something exciting when no one is buying anyhow? Sad, sad, sad. " -- MAB.... well... true and false there actually. people might actually switch over their gas guzzlers to save money, so why not create something ridiculously efficient. i dunno. who KNOWS how the general public thinks really.

trekkerbin

April 7, 2009 12:39 pm

I believe in American Car makers. and I hope that they can get out of their trouble ASAP. An Hybrid is a nice try for Americans, but more efficient solution needs to be figure ASAP as well. Just like BMW and MBenz do! Go for it! GM!

ftitus5

April 7, 2009 9:16 pm

Here we have the explanation on what exactly does tht 50% improvement mean: "The Yukon Hybrid uses a two-mode hybrid system to improve gas mileage up to 50 percent in the city over the non-hybrid version, achieving an EPA rating of 21 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. The system provides electric-only operation at low speed,"