GMC Denali XT Hybrid
by: William Ford
Posted on: Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at 2:01 am by: William Ford
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The Subaru Baha tried and failed. The new GMC Denali XT tried and succeeded (with more class and features than the Baha as well).
This sport-utility truck (SUT) takes the classic car-based pickup model (i.e. the El Camino) and combines it with all the modern styles and features of a rugged car straight from the future. The Denali XT measures an astounding 205.0 in. in length and rides on 125.4-in wheelbase.
It has a four-person cabin with four large doors and boasts plenty of room for you and all your large friends. Yet it still maintains a large cargo box measuring 55.0-in. The standard model includes a mid-gate bulkhead allowing the cargo bed access to the passenger compartment providing ample space for everything from your load of 2×4s to all your ski equipment.
Worried about power in this over-sized beast? Worry no longer. The brand new 4.9-liter V-8 kicks out 326 bhp and is a flex-fuel vehicle operating on regular gas or ethanol mixtures up to E85. GM’s two-mode hybrid transmission is hitched up to an engine that features cylinder-deactivation, a technology that allow’s for maximum fuel efficiency. This new system combines a low-speed electric operation with a start-stop feature that matches city fuel economy ratings with the significantly higher highway numbers.
The XT possess a higher towing capacity than your standard pick-up, an impressive 3500-lb, and a payload rating of 1100-lb. This SUT is a truck combined with a sports car; standard models include 4-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension. It hugs those sharp turns, accelerates with unmatched power on the straights and stops remarkably quickly for its size.
Whether you’re out for a pleasure cruise on the meandering curves of California’s Highway 1, towing your boat out of a Great Lake in Michigan or headed through NYC to the worksite with your crew and day’s lumber, this is the perfect ride for you.
