Detroit Auto Show: GMC Granite concept

As one of the four remaining brands at the new General Motors, the folks in charge of GMC are trying to come up with a reason for the brand to exist. Until now, GMC's wares have been to Chevrolet trucks what Mercury has been Ford – same stuff different badges. Over the last decade the marketing boffins have tried to position GMC as "Industrial Grade," but it's never been entirely clear exactly what that means.


Compared to the Orlando, the Granite has a sharper, more chiseled look that's appropriate to its name. However, this is no copy of the Scion xB or Nissan Cube. The windshield is more steeply raked than the upright screens on the two Japanese boxes, and the Granite isn't as tall, with a roof that's six inches closer to the road than the Nissan and three inches shorter than the Scion. In fact the closest current model in size to the Granite is the Honda Fit, although the Honda is more than three inches narrower. GMC has sized this vehicle for crowded urban environments where its 161.3 inch length is two feet shorter than the Terrain and should make it easier to navigate the cramped confines of the world's metropolises.


In the case of the Granite, with its small exterior dimensions, the large opening afforded by the pillar-less design is especially handy. Inside the designers have created passenger side seats that fold flat and then flip up against the center console, leaving the entire right hand side open. With the seats up, the Granite can accommodate a mountain bike with the wheels still on.


Dave Lyon and the rest of the GMC design team have tried to ensure that even with its small dimensions, the Granite didn't sacrifice utility. It's common for concept cars to use rear-hinged back doors to allow show-going attendees to see the interior. However, few of these ever make it to production that way. Nonetheless, Lyon insisted to us during a pre-show preview that the Granite was engineered to support the rear hinged doors. The idea isn't that far out there, particularly when you consider that GM has done it before with it's full-size pickups and Saturn coupes.


Under the hood, the Granite is spec'd out with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder, likely the same unit that will be optional in the Chevy Cruze. In that application the engine produces 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. In the concept, the engine is paired up with a six-speed automatic transmission, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a manual option available if the Granite makes the transition from concept to production in the next year.
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The 2011 Acadia Denali - The First Denali Crossover Ever

• GMC is extending its exclusive Denali line to include the highly successful Acadia brand that defined the crossover segment

• The all-inclusive Acadia Denali is the ultimate combination of space and efficiency with top-of-the-line amenities

• Signature Denali cues include the honeycomb grille, chrome accents, body-color fascias and fender flares, mahogany wood steering wheel and wood accents, and lighted sill plates

DETROIT - Today GMC unveiled the 2011 Acadia Denali in Detroit. The first Denali was launched in 1999 on the Yukon brand and helped define the luxury SUV segment. With nearly half of all Yukon sales being Denali models, expanding the Denali line to include the Acadia was a logical extension. Acadia Denali will provide GMC customers with all the amenities the Denali is known for in a fuel-efficient crossover.
"The GMC Denali models have come to stand for luxury and exclusivity, and that's just what customers will get in the new Acadia Denali," said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. "The decision to develop an Acadia Denali was made quickly within the new GM in response to customer and dealer demand for a Denali version ever since the launch and success of the Acadia."
The Acadia launched in 2007 as the first crossover from GMC, with segment-leading fuel economy and innovative features. An exclusive SmartSlide System allows easy access to an adult-sized third row with available seven- or eight- passenger seating configurations. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats allow flexible passenger and cargo configurations of the best-in-class interior space. Acadia's refined styling, impressive fuel efficiency, and confidence-inspiring safety features made it an immediate success and ideal platform to build upon for a Denali model.
The 2011 Acadia Denali goes on sale in the third quarter of 2010. It is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, as well as seven- and eight-passenger configurations. The standard 3.6L direct injected V-6 contributes to an EPA highway rating of 24 mpg with FWD models.


The Acadia Denali will stand out with its signature Denali design cues highlighted by the mono-color exterior and chrome honeycomb grille, a feature on all GMC Denali models. It also wears a number of specific exterior design cues, including:

• Unique lower front and rear fascias

• High-intensity discharge headlamps

• Body-color lower cladding and rocker moldings

• Body-color rear fascia and fender flares

• Unique body-side moldings with chrome accents and Denali badges

• Dual chrome exhaust tips

Further distinction comes with 20-inch, two-tone chrome-clad wheels. The six-spoke wheels feature black chrome spoke inserts set against bright chrome.
The Acadia Denali is offered in five exterior colors: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat.
Luxury amenities
Acadia Denali delivers all the luxury and refinement that are hallmarks of the Denali line. It includes a number of exclusive design, comfort and convenience features including:

• Premium acoustics - laminated glass, triple door seals, and liquid applied sound deadeners

• Perforated leather seats with matching leather door panel trim

• Heated and cooled driver and passenger seats

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts

• Complementary wood grain finish on the instrument panel and center stack

• Enhanced accent lighting in the footwells

• Chrome, lighted sill plates with the Denali logo

• Dual SkyScape sunroof system, with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear section

• Head-up display (HUD)

Additional content includes:

• Tri-zone automatic climate control

• Navigation system including XM NavTraffic (available)

• Bluetooth connectivity

• OnStar

• Rear-seat DVD entertainment system, with roof-mounted flip-down screen (available)

• Premium audio system with USB port and Bose 10-speaker sound system

• XM Satellite Radio

• Rearview camera system

• Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory

• Remote vehicle start

GMC capability
Acadia Denali is powered by a 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine with VVT that optimizes performance and fuel economy, while also reducing emissions - including a 25-percent reduction in cold-start emissions. Engine performance is enhanced by the advanced six-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing capacity is a class-leading 5,200 pounds (2,364 kg).
A long, 118.9-inch (3,021 mm) wheelbase and wide 67.28-inch (1,709 mm) front/rear tracks give it a lower center of gravity and enable smooth, stable ride and handling for driving comfort. Independent front and rear suspensions enhance smoothness and deliver a more responsive driving experience. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar and aluminum knuckles, while the rear suspension uses a compact, state-of-the-art linked "H" design. Isolated mounting points help reduce noise and vibration.
The suspension is tuned specifically for the Acadia Denali's 20-inch wheels and the available AWD system enhances dry-road handling and provides increased traction on wet, snow and ice-covered roads. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard, as are the following features:
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
Tire pressure monitoring system
Acadia Denali is covered by GM's five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty and three-year/36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper warranty - the best coverage in America.


2011 GMC ACADIA DENALI SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:	GMC Acadia Denali
Body style / driveline:	crossover SUV / front-engine; front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
Construction:	body-frame integral
EPA vehicle class:	sport utility vehicle
Manufacturing location:	Lansing Delta Township Assembly, Lansing, Mich.
Key competitors:	Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9

Engine

	3.6L V-6 VVT DI
Displacement (cu in / cc):	217 / 3564
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material:	aluminum
Cylinder head material:	aluminum
Valvetrain:	dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing
Fuel delivery:	direct injection
Compression ratio:	11.3:1
Horsepower (hp / kW) @ rpm:	288 / 215 @ 6300*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm) @ rpm:	270 / 366 @ 3400*
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded
Max. engine speed (rpm):	6700
Emissions controls:	dual close-coupled converters; two pre- and two post-oxygen sensors
EPA-estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):	17 / 24 (FWD) 16 / 23 (AWD)

Transmission

	Hydra-Matic 6T75 6-speed FWD/AWD automatic
Gear Ratio (:1)
First:	4.48
Second:	2.87
Third:	1.84
Fourth:	1.41
Fifth:	1.0
Sixth:	0.74
Reverse:	2.88
Final drive ratio:	3.16

Chassis / Suspension

Front:	coil-over strut; direct acting stabilizer bar; full perimeter isolated cradle
Rear:	linked H-arm independent suspension; coil springs with twin-tube shock absorbers mounted on isolated sub-frame
Steering type:	hydraulic rack-and-pinion; straight ratio and variable effort
Steering ratio:	16.1
Steer wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	2.89
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	40.4 / 12.3

Brakes

Type:	four-wheel disc
Rotor diameter (in / mm):	front: 12.8 x 1.1 / 325 x 29, ventilated rear: 13 x 0.8 / 331 x 20, ventilated
Anti-lock braking system (ABS):	Bosch 8.0 Chassis Controls: ABS / ETC / ESC w/rollover mitigation

Wheels / Tires

Wheel size and type:	20-inch chrome-clad
Tire size and type:	P255/55R20 H-rated blackwall

Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	118.9 / 3020.7
Overall length (in / mm):	201.1 / 5107.9
Overall width (in / mm):	78.9 / 2004.1
Overall height (in / mm):	72.8 / 1846 (w/roof rails); 69.9 / 1775.5 (w/o roof rails)
Track
Front (in / mm):	67.3 / 1709.4
Rear (in / mm):	67.3 / 1709.4
Curb weight (lb / kg):	4720 / 2141 (FWD) 4925 / 2234 (AWD)
Min. ground clearance (in / mm):	7.4 / 189 (FWD and AWD)

Interior

Seating capacity:	7 or 8
Headroom
First row (in /mm):	40.4 / 1024 (w/o sunroof); 38.5 / 978 (w/ sunroof)
Second row (in / mm):	39.3 / 996 (w/o sunroof); 38.3 / 973 (w/ sunroof)
Third row (in / mm):	38.4 / 975.3 (w/o sunroof); 38.1 / 968 (w/ sunroof)
Legroom
First row (in / mm):	41.3 / 1049
Second row (in / mm):	36.9 / 937.2
Third row (in / mm):	33.2 / 843.2
Shoulder room
First row (in / mm):	61.9 / 1574
Second row (in / mm):	61.1 / 1551
Third row (in / mm):	57.8 / 1468
Hip room
First row (in / mm):	57.8 / 1468.1
Second row (in / mm):	57.9 / 1470.6
Third row (in / mm):	48.3 / 1226.8
Cargo volume
Behind first row, with second seat folded and third-row seat and cargo management system removed (cu ft / L):	115.9 / 3282
Behind second row, with third-row seat and cargo management system removed (cu ft / L):	68.7 / 1946
Behind third row (cu ft / L):	24.1 / 683

Capacities

EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L):	154 / 4362
Fuel tank (gal / L):	22.0 / 83.3
Engine oil (qt / L):	5.5 / 5.2
Transmission fluid (qt / L):	9.5 / 9.0 (Dexron VI only)
Cooling system (qt / L):	11.8 / 11.18
Max towing capacity (lb / kg):	5200 / 2364
GCWR (lb / kg):	9500 / 4309 (FWD) 9700 / 4400 (AWD)
GVWR (lb / kg):	6459 / 2930

*SAE certified
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

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GM dealers reportedly fretting over too tight crossover and truck inventories

You may be surprised to hear, though, that a dwindling supply of available inventory is one of the major problems some dealerships are currently reporting. We're not shocked to hear there's only a six-day supply of Chevrolet Camaro models on hand, but dealers are also seeking remedies for shortages of Buick Enclaves, GMC Yukon SUVs and extended-cab Sierra pickups, as well as limited supplies of Chevrolet Silverado trucks.


In these dark days of bankruptcy proceedings, ever-dwindling sales figures and decades of receding market share, General Motors' base of dealerships certainly has plenty of things to keep it up at night.



For a company that has historically had an unhealthy attachment to high inventories across their brands, this is an unusual development indeed.


GM is aware of the shortages and Mark LaNeve, vice president of vehicle sales, service and marketing, tells Automotive News that the shortage is a normal part of the adjustment process from the old days of carrying a 120-day supply of vehicles to today's goal of a leaner 75-day supply.


The General's messenger further suggests that dealers trade inventory with each other to bolster inventory until the automaker is ready to rekindle its assembly lines beginning on Monday, July 13 after the company's extended summer shutdown.
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Michael Jackson dead - leaves behind large car collection

Michael Jackson 1988 Lincoln Town Car limousine

Jackson owned at least four limousines, including a 1999 Rolls Royce Silver Seraph that was unusually decorated, to say the least. Our friends at Jalopnik described it well, when they said, "The dark blue Seraph wears an interior which looks to have been pulled directly from the Palace of Versailles." Jackson was said to have designed the interior himself, which probably explains the generous use of 24-carat gold. The vehicle was said to have a 5.4-liter V12 aluminum engine that generated up to 322 horsepower.

Michael Jackson 1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Touring Limousine

Back in February it was announced that a collection of items belonging to Michael Jackson would be auctioned off, including his own fleet of vehicles. Although that auction was cancelled in mid-April, it gave us a chance see how the King of Pop lived while being chauffeured around California.

Michael Jackson 1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Limousine

Now that MJ has passed on, we decided to take a look back at these vehicles. It is unknown what will happen to many of the Neverland Ranch possessions (Jackson did have a lot of debt), and surely some of these will wind up either on the auction block, or in a museum.

Michael Jackson's 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60 Special 4 Door sedan from Driving Miss Daisy

Jackson owned a 1990 RollS Royce Silver Spur II, trimmed in contrasting white leather and black fabric. Dark, tinted windows were adorned in white curtains, and a full-service bar that was used for god-knows-what. His white, 1988 Lincoln Town Car had a much more subdued interior that used gray leather and fabric. The fourth limo is the same 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood used during the filming of Driving Miss Daisy. Jackson's collection included a 1997 Neoplan Tour Bus with individual seats and booths, and a king's crown embroidered in the carpet. Possibly used on the HIStory World Tour, the bus featured a bathroom lined in porcelain, gold, and granite.

Michael Jackson 1988 GMC V Jimmy Half-Ton High Sierra Classic and 1993 Ford Econoline E150 van

Jackson other vehicles included a 1993 Ford Econoline van with leather seats, individual tv screens, and an old-school video game console, a 1986 GMC High Sierra firetruck, a 1988 GMC Jimmy, and a replica of a 1909 Detamble Model B Roadster. Amongst the collection was an electrified horse-drawn carriage, and a 2001 Harley Davidson touring police bike.

Michael Jackson's Neverland Valley electrified horse-drawn carriage Michael Jackson's custom Peter Pan golf cart Michael Jackson's black Dodge Viper mini-car with The Simpsons decorations Michael Jackson's 1909 Detamble Model B Roadster Replica
Source:worldcarfans

New York Auto Show; 2010 GMC Terrain prepares to polarize

While GMC's new-for-2010 Terrain crossover may be all but identical to Chevrolet's Equinox, one look at this bluff-faced polarizing design will tell you that badge-engineering wasn't part of the program at General Motors. Yes, both vehicles share the same platform, the same engine choices and even the same suspension calibrations, but the in-your-face look here is likely to inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions.

We'll let you decide on which side of the fence you sit, with one caveat: It is often the case that certain cars look better in the metal than on screen or in photographs. We were invited to GM's Design Dome for a media backgrounder, and after being in-and-around the vehicle, we profess that we can't make the same case.
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First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Once again, this time-honored dictum is proving true as pickup trucks regain their rightful place at the top of the U.S. sales charts following a precipitous fall from grace last summer.

As you've undoubtedly noticed, the cost of gasoline has dropped to a more manageable level, with an average gallon of regular-grade fuel going for half the price it was less than a year ago. So is it back to business as usual? Not quite. As we found out (again) in 2008, the volatile nature of gasoline stocks means that the market price for a barrel of crude can and will change on a whim. Does anyone really think fuel is going to stay cheaper than bottled water forever? Not likely.

However, America's love affair with the pickup truck will continue to burn bright even though the status quo is changing. All vehicles, regardless of type, must travel more miles on each gallon of gasoline. Enter GM's latest duo of fuel-saving pickups: the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrids.


These two workhorses were first announced at the LA Auto Show in late 2007, though the 2009 editions are just now beginning to show up at dealerships across the country. For the new model year, GM has made a few tweaks to its range of heavy haulers, most notably switching to a new set of hydraulic body mounts to compensate for the extra weight of the large battery pack. Are there any good reasons to consider these hybrid trucks over their highly-respected standard siblings? To find out, we strapped ourselves behind the wheel of each, followed a route through the streets of San Antonio, Texas, and recorded our mileage along the way.
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