Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
There was some news about plant closings and cut-backs in production which made poeple think that everyone is backing out of the trucks market. This segment as a result, has definitely been hit, but think twice before forming an opinion that anyone is giving up on trucks, because they still make up a large percentage of 4×4 pickup trucks sold and remain an important part of everybody’s lineup. But, fewer pickup truck buyers mean actual competition is as fierce as it’s ever been, and that’s good news for anyone who are looking for a new or a used 4×4 pickup truck.
There are two of them - the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and the GMC Sierra hybrids. These pickup trucks won’t be in the dealer showrooms until 2009 and although they both look real promising, who knows how available they’ll be at first or what they’ll cost. If you need something sooner, or you’re not interested in a hybrid, put GM’s new XFE trucks on your short list. The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado XFE and GMC Sierra XFE have promised fuel economy ratings of 15/21 mpg city/highway, versus 21/22 mpg city/highway for GM’s 2009 two-mode hybrids and 14/20 mpg city/highway for comparable non-XFE half-ton pickups. That’s really an improvement of roughly 5 to 7 percent over the non-XFE trucks.
GM has lowered the XFE’s aerodynamic drag to a claimed best-in-class .412, narrowly beating the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram’s .419 coefficient of drag. Helping the XFE achieve that slippery wind rating are a soft tonneau cover, an extended front chin spoiler and a 10-mm-lowered suspension and ride height. Low-rolling-resistance tires and lightweight 17-inch aluminum wheels help reduce friction between road surfaces and the truck. The XFE also uses an unusually tall 3.08 rear axle to hit its claimed higher fuel economy figures. To understand its importance, it helps to understand how rear axles are rated. Rear axles are assigned numbers that describe how many rotations the driveshaft must make to turn the rear axle (and rear wheels) once. A 3.08 rear axle turns the wheels once for every 3.08 driveshaft rotations.
To build the XFEs, General Motors started with Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks equipped with 5.3L aluminum block V8s. They also added a six-speed automatic transmission, a 3.08:1 rear axle ratio, aluminum wheels and low rolling resistance tires. A soft tonneau, extended lower front airdam and a lowered ride height gave the trucks better aerodynamics. The combination of changes improved fuel mileage, upping it by 1mpg for city and highway driving. That might not sound like much, but it all adds up. The XFEs are 2WD trucks (for now) and GM has already started building the Crew Cabs.
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Monday, September 8th, 2008
The current economy is making a lot of people consider the benefits of hybrid vehicles, including hybrid pickup trucks and already they are considering a switch over. Some people, however, are not very well informed as to what hybrid vehicles even are or what they do, which can make them a bit leery about even considering for one. Between the faltering economy and gas prices constantly on the rise, a lot of the people who rely on pickup trucks, for whatever reason, may want to consider the possible advantages of switching to hybrid pickup trucks.
One of the benefits of even considering hybrid pickup trucks is the sheer cost of gas for trucks in general, especially those which are used to haul heavy loads. In understanding hybrid vehicles, it is important to realize that not all of them are “fully” hybrid. For instance, GM Chevrolet, which is one of the Big Three of trucks and a favorite among truck drivers, recently came out with a hybrid version of their Chevrolet Silverado. It is marketed as a “mild” hybrid, which means that it utilizes its electric motor for such things as the power accessories and assistance with the engine.
Ford F-Series also implements hybrid technology. The GMC Sierra is another model which has gone at least partially hybrid. As for the Silverado, reviews indicate that it comes with extra batteries which store extra power; these kick in to help when it is necessary, which can come in handy when you are carrying a heavy load. As well, on its own, the Silverado comes with a V8 engine. This is actually quite common for a lot of hybrid 4×4 pickup trucks, so by all indications, buyers would not be giving up much in the way of power.
Many consumers who rely on or simply prefer pickup trucks also worry that hybrid pickup trucks will not have the features they have come to know and enjoy, but by all accounts, hybrids have most, if not all, of the same features and accessories that traditional trucks have. As mentioned, quite a few of them come with a V8 engine; it is simply a Hybrid Vortec 5.3 liter engine. They still look as rugged and powerful as “regular” trucks, and the same safety and luxury features are included, such as power windows, mirrors, and locks, anti lock brake systems, and air bags. Many of them also include the popular navigation systems, as well as DVD entertainment capabilities.
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Thursday, August 28th, 2008
Every GMC vehicle, from the Envoy to the GMC Sierra pickup, bears an uncanny resemblance to a model wearing the bow tie badge, and the updated Yukon XL is no exception. Aside from those homely headlights, a tweaked grille, an added engine, and unique badges, that GMC is a Chevy. In a time when General Motors is losing market share, has been forced to reduce sticker prices across the line while keeping rebates alive, why money is still being dumped into this purely duplicative brand is a mystery. That’s not to say that the 2007 Yukon XL isn’t a nice vehicle, because it is, one with a renewed focus on style, quality, and value. But that can all be said of the truck on which the Yukon XL is based, the Chevrolet Suburban, and barring the premium XL Denali trim and its larger engine, there’s not enough distinguishing the two vehicles, despite GMC’s “Professional Grade” tagline.
Billed as the largest of the brand’s family of SUVs, the 2007 GMC Yukon XL is a nine-passenger truck with 137.4 cubic feet of cargo room. Buyers can choose from two trims - XL and XL Denali - and either rear- or four-wheel-drive capability. Based on the Chevrolet Suburban, the Yukon XL and XL Denali models are available to buyers looking for more brand cachet and an added touch of luxury, but aren’t quite ready for the flash and price of the Cadillac Escalade, another ride that shares its platform with the Chevy.
Despite all of the news about shrinking sales of large SUVs, this segment is still expected to move between 700-800,000 units annually, with General Motors reportedly grabbing 62 percent of that pie. Gas prices may continue to be volatile, but the fact remains that thousands of pickup truck buyers continue to choose the utility of a large vehicle like the 2007 GMC Yukon pickup truck versus smaller and more efficient alternatives. Competition in this field has largely been limited to the Ford Excursion (and fellow GM players like the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade), but that model is being replaced by an extended version of the Ford Expedition that promises to fight for its spot in American driveways.
Couple that with GM’s tarnished image, and one can see how vital it is that the 2007 GMC Yukon XL represents the company’s best effort. It seems ironic that just as the light appears to be dimming on the large SUV segment, GM unveils its best looking 4×4 pickup truck lineup to date. The lines of the 2007 GMC Yukon XL are much crisper, and the promise of tighter gap tolerances and a stronger focus on build quality address two of the main complaints with the existing vehicle. Add in the extra power and improved efficiency, and GMC makes a good case for purchasing its 2007 Yukon XL, should you be in the market for such a ride.
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Thursday, August 28th, 2008
4×4 pickup trucks sure have changed over the past few decades. Once reserved for commercial applications or hauling hay and feed around the farm with barely a heater and windshield wipers, these versatile vehicles have been transformed into what is often the family four-door, the four-wheel-drive king cab commuter, or the cause of envy at local drag strips. And for a few years now there have been some new players strutting onto the field with a box attached to a luxury vehicle. Lincoln has taken two stabs at this segment so far, the first being the forgettable and misguided Blackwood and more recently the Mark LT, also known as a thinly-disguised Ford F-150. Over at General Motors, luxury division Cadillac has been a bit more thorough with its dressing up of the Chevrolet Avalanche, with the result being the 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT.
With its rear box, the all-wheel-drive EXT is technically a pickup truck, one that features an innovative fold-down midgate that effectively creates a full-size bed. But, aside from that design element, the EXT is much like the rest of the 2007 Cadillac Escalade lineup, with the same fresh face accented by vertically-stacked bright headlight housings and an expansive chrome grille inspired by the Cadillac Sixteen concept car. There are clean new body lines with tighter gaps, front fender vents, and integrated running boards. The new Escalades get an interior distinct from the lesser Chevy and GMC versions, with an attractive dash layout and generous use of leather. Added luxury comes in the form of an optional heated steering wheel, a touch-screen navigation system, a rear DVD entertainment system, a surround sound system by Bose, and 18- or 22-inch chrome alloy wheels.
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