US: GMC to unveil 2009 Sierra Hybrid and Denali XT concept at Chicago motor show
Monday, February 04, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com
GMC division will unveil a car-based hybrid pick-up concept, the Denali XT, at the Chicago motor show on 6 February alongside the 2009 Sierra Hybrid pick-up.
The new Holden-developed four-door concept is, GM says, derived from its Zeta rear-wheel drive architecture (2008 Pontiac G8 sedan and 2009 Chevrolet Camaro). The Denali XT is, however, the first time GM has paired its new 2-mode hybrid system with an E85-fuelled engine.
GMC is also revisiting its history with the new concept, which is a modern update of the 1970s Sprint, a version of the legendary Chevrolet El Camino pick-up.
General Motors points out its use of the Denali trim level as part of the concept's name refers to the fact that nearly 43% of Yukon and Yukon XL SUV sales are of these high-priced versions.
The concept is powered by a new 4.9-litre version of GM's small block V8. It features active fuel management and is claimed to return 50% better fuel economy than equivalent-sized production pick-up trucks, though GM does not refer to any specific models.
As for the 2009 Sierra Hybrid, this has been expected for some months - ever since its twin, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid premiered at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Like the mechanically identical Chevy, the Sierra uses a claimed 25% less gasoline thanks to the 2-mode system that it also shares with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs. The new pick-ups are both due to go on sale in North America towards the end of this year.
The Sierra Hybrid can be driven up to 30mph on energy recaptured during braking and cruising. This, it draws from a 300 volt battery. The 6.0-litre V8, meanwhile, will automatically shift to running on only four cylinders under a light load so as to minimise gasoline consumption. One drawback of the AWD Hybrid is the 6,100 pound towing capacity (and only 5,900 for the rear-wheel drive version), compared to the 10,500 pounds that a 2008 GMC Sierra can haul.
Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of North American sales, service and marketing, says the OEM expects close to 5% of pick-up drivers to opt for the hybrid system. LaNeve notes that 208,243 GMC Sierra pick-ups were sold in 2007.
Changes for the Hybrid version of the 2009 Sierra include a chin spoiler and a more aerodynamic tonneau cover as well as unique badging.
Published on Monday, February 04, 2008
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