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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