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GMC Yukon Denali wagon maximizes power in luxurious quarters
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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LOS ALAMOS, Calif. -- With blue waters of the Santa Barbara Channel spreading off the California Coast to the left and brown ramparts of the Santa Inez Range stacked high on the right, the Pacific Coast Highway runs westward out of Santa Barbara before hooking a right at Gaviota and climbing over the mountains.
Big trucks and commuter cars usually clot this artery and fog off the ocean often obscures the view, but on a recent cruise up the PCH the traffic seemed sparse and a blue sky clearly revealed the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz.
This Technicolor seascape filled all windows on one side of the lavish wagon we steered, with jagged peaks capped by the vivid blue ceiling covering opposing windows as symphonic sounds channeling through eleven speakers of a deluxe audio system floated around an expansive passenger compartment lined in leather and wood.
With superior power of a big engine on tap and an all-wheel-drive system always engaged to keep the wheels tracking straight, our vehicle appeared well armed for an extended pavement excursion like this coastal run, and luxurious trappings coddled the riders and diminished the mileage.
Our vehicle, a new generational design of the Denali -- a name drawn from native Alaska Athabascan people to describe "the High One" of Mt. McKinley, tallest peak on the continent -- represents the pinnacle edition of the full-size Yukon sport-utility wagon from GMC in a leather-bound issue enthused with best-in-class power.
The Denali designation first appeared three years ago on a tricked-up version of the Yukon, but this latest edition with a 2001 model designation comes off the redesigned Yukon structure that debuted in year 2000.
It stands out with a sophisticated monochromatic color scheme spread over the boxy rectangular format accented by a powerful face with gleaming grille wrapped in chrome and flanked by sparkling lenses of corner headlamps.
Below, the monotone bumper integrates a pair of foglamps, recessed tow hooks and a low four-bar vent port.
Wavy side panels introduce curving lines to interrupt the squarish shape of Denali, with running boards underscoring side doors and wheelwells prominent in bulging flares that draw the eye down to six-point chrome wheels.
At the rear, a functional step bumper hides a receiver hitch capable of towing a trailer up to 8400 pounds, while above the bumper a one-piece aluminum liftgate holds an integrated rear window hinged at the top for quick access to the cargo bay.
Beneath its tapered front hood, new Denali conceals the meat of this package: A massive powerplant.
The Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 serves as Denali's sole engine and it has been outfitted with new aluminum cylinder heads plus new intake and exhaust ports in a design borrowed from the Corvette engine. These enhancements ultimately develop more power and torque than other Vortec 6000 applications in the GMC truck line.
Output rises to 325 hp at 5000 rpm, with torque skewed to 370 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.
A heavy-duty GM Hydramatic 4L60-E HD four-speed automatic transmission mates with the Vortec 6000 to handle all of that torque.
Then the torque is directed to all four of Denali's wheels through a new all-wheel-drive mechanism that's always engaged. A magnesium-clad transfer case dubbed Venture Gear with planetary-gear limited-slip center differential splits the torque between front and rear axles to maintain tire traction through varying pavement conditions.
For ideal dry pavement, the device sends a third of the power to the front axle and the rest to the rear axle. Yet slippage of any wheel on a slippery surface will prompt the system to redirect the power away from the axle of the slipping wheel in favor of the other axle where wheels have a better grip. A locking rear differential also works to redistribute torque if only one rear wheel slips.
Everything is automatic with this new traction system, as there are no levers to lock or buttons to switch in order to keep it on guard at all times.
Also working automatically is the Z55 Autoride suspension with continuously-variable road-sensing damping and air-leveling shock absorbers for precise ride control.
Large rotors of disc brakes are aboard to help corral the power of Denali's engine, and controls for a four-wheel anti-lock system keep the vehicle tracking in a straight line during emergency stops.
Other safety gear built into Denali includes frontal as well as side-impact air bags for front seat riders, three-point safety belts, a steel structural system wrapping around the passenger compartment and the OnStar communications equipment installed with a hands-free wireless link to personnel at the OnStar Center and 24-hour availability for in-vehicle safety, security and information services.
In Denali's expansive cabin, luxurious comforts appear in layer after layer.
There are three rows of seats covered in tone-on-tone leather with room for up to seven riders plus cargo space.
The front row contains a pair of plush bucket seats with integrated seat belts and side air bags. Power controls the adjustment of seat position, lumbar back, side bolsters and headrest. Also, internal heat elements apply to both seat cushion and backrest.
Between the two buckets, a large multi-functional console contains a deep storage bin with double-lid cover that works as an armrest. Forward of the console, a sweep up to the dashboard provides space for climate and audio controls, where a six-disc CD changer fits.
Analog gauges in the instrument panel include speedometer and tachometer, while the screen of a driver information system can display messages regarding engine management along with trip mileage and fuel consumption.
The rear of the console houses two power points, audio controls and headphone jacks for use by second-row riders.
Denali's second seat splits down the center so each section can slide forward or fold down.
The third seat also splits in the middle and each side folds and the bench flips. Further, a simple latch mechanism anchoring seat to floor can be unlocked for removal to expand the cargo bay.
There's only one trim designation for Denali and it's so complete with equipment that the vehicle shows only a single option -- a power-operated sunroof.
Denali's price list is also simplified, totally to $45,950 plus $730 for delivery and $900 for the sunroof.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2001 GMC YUKON DENALI Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size luxury SUV wagon |
| Model Options: |
Full-size luxury SUV wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
116.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
198.9 inches |
| Engine Size: |
OHV 6.0-L V8 |
| Transmission: |
Auto/4 HD |
| Drive: |
4WD Venture Gear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side) |
| Gross Weight: |
7000 pounds |
| Towing Capacity: |
8500 pounds |
| Gas Mileage: |
12/16 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 45,950 |
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