2008
GMC NEW TRUCK MODEL GUIDE
 For
2008, the GMC Division of General Motors
puts out powerful pickups in three sizes
and sport utility vehicles (SUV) in two
formats with stretched and deluxe treatments.
GMC also offers a large crossover utility
vehicle (CUV) in the Acadia. A new entry
for 2008 is the Yukon Hybrid SUV featuring
a hybrid propulsion system to improve
fuel economy.
 Sierra
Sierra trucks in the half-ton 1500 series
earned a remake last year based on a new
platform with best-in-class power, trailer
tow ratings and fuel scores. For 2008,
the Sierra 1500 trucks show three cab
configurations and bed lengths, multiple
suspension setups and V6 or V8 powertrains.
Trims culminate with the deluxe Sierra
Denali, which stocks a 6.2-liter V8 pumping
403 horsepower. A flex-fuel, E85-compatible
V8 comes with GM's Active Fuel Management
(AFM) technology to conserve fuel. Tow
capacity reaches 10,500 pounds for the
Sierra Crew Cab, which stocks a 6.0-liter
V8.
 Sierra
2500 / 3500
GMC's heavy-duty work trucks under the
Sierra badge show increased strength from
reworked gas and diesel engines teamed
with six-speed automatic transmissions.
The series includes the 2500HD (three-quarter-ton)
and 3500HD (one-ton) trucks with regular
and extended cab lengths, a Crew Cab option,
two traction systems, two truck box lengths
and choices for a gasoline-driven V8 or
6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel. The turbo-diesel
hitches to a remarkable Allison 1000 six-speed
electronic automatic. The maximum trailer
tow weight for the Silverado HD trucks
rises to 167,000 pounds with a fifth-wheel
hitch.
 Canyon
GMC's Canyon measures up as a mid-size
pickup with body styling design cues borrowed
from the Sierra. Cabs conform as a two-door
regular cab, the extended cab with two
rear-hinged doors set behind the two front
doors and the Crew Cab with four front-hinged
doors. Two engines with in-line arrangement
work for the 2008 Canyon. The base 2.9-liter,
four-cylinder plant with variable valve
timing (VVT) delivers 185 horsepower,
while an optional 3.7-liter, five-cylinder
VVT plant climbs to 242 horsepower. OnStar
telecommunications gear drops into every
2008 Canyon.
 Acadia
GMC's big CUV has a full-size passenger
compartment stocking seats up to eight
on three rows. The powertrain is GM's
3.6-liter V6 with VVT for 275 horsepower
through a fuel-saving Hydra-Matic six-speed
automatic. Acadia also offers the choice
of front-wheel-drive (FWD) traction or
a new Active On Demand all-wheel-drive
(AWD) system. GMC produces the CUV in
trim grades of SLE and SLT. StabiliTrak
skid controls, enhanced with new rear-wheel
oversteer controls, come standard on every
model. The option sheet for the Acadia
includes a triple-zone climate system,
power liftgate, dual-panel Skyscape sunroof
and a DVD-based video entertainment player.
 Envoy
The 2008 mid-size SUV from GMC appears
in a regular-length wheelbase with two
rows of seats, holding up to five passengers.
The deluxe variation — Envoy Denali
— brings comforts with choices for
two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive
(4WD) traction. The Denali totes a 5.3-liter
V8 rated at 300 horsepower. The Envoy's
powertrain is a 4.2-liter, in-line-six
worth 285 horsepower. Stock safety gear
for all 2008 Envoys include StabiliTrak
electronic stability controls, Proactive
Roll Avoidance (PRA) and a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). A Bose audio
package and touch screen navigation system
are also available.
 Yukon
GMC's full-size SUVs are the Yukon, the
stretched Yukon XL and the deluxe companions
Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali. The
Denali editions are lined with leather
and offer on-demand AWD traction via GM's
automatic Autotrac system. All Yukons
ride on a revamped platform with wider
track and lower center of gravity to enhance
the ride quality. Powerful engines propel
the wagons, including a 5.3-liter V8 with
AFM for 320 horsepower and a 6.2-liter
VVT V8 ripped to 380 horsepower for Denali
models. A new six-speed automatic transmission
and standard StabiliTrak skid controller
are given to the heavy-duty Yukon XL 2500.
 Yukon
Hybrid
The new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)
off the Yukon SUV employs a two-mode hybrid
propulsion system, which integrates an
automatic transmission with a hybrid-electric
drive system. At low speeds, the Yukon
Hybrid can move using the electric motor
or the gas-fired V8, or a combination
of both. At highway speeds, the second
mode works with all eight cylinders of
the engine pumping when commanded, or
with only four cylinders through AFM technology
to conserve fuel. The HEV can lug up to
6,200 pounds.
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