No need to shout inside all-new SUV family
DETROIT – It’s only natural that when we speak, we want to be heard and when the volume around us goes up, so do our voices. Just ask those on road trips or parents of young children how tiresome this can become over time.
The interior quietness of all-new 2015 GMC Yukon can provide some relief. A calming and tranquil environment result from premium materials used to craft the smooth and confident ride in the new Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs.
Media and customer feedback highlights the SUV’s serene interior. Obtaining this result was a pillar from the inception of the new Yukon and the effect of countless hours spent tuning by engineers like Michell Shippy, performance engineer for noise, vibration and wind noise.
“Having two young kids that never sleep through the night, I have a strong desire to enjoy peace and quiet on my commute,” said Shippy. “That also helps give me a sharp ear to hone in on the fine details. We’ve made extensive improvements on the new Yukon and the interior quietness is a feature noticeable enough to grab your attention. The Yukon is truly a pleasure to drive.”
More than two dozen enhancements advance quietness in the all-new 2015 Yukon. There is no quieter SUV in its class.
Beginning at its core, a fully boxed frame comprised of more than 75 percent high-strength steel lays the solid foundation for its quiet ride. Connecting the body – also made with high and ultra-high strength steel – to the frame are new shear-style mounts act like a shock absorber while significantly improving stiffness.
New inlaid doors now fit into the body side openings, rather than over the top of the body, which significantly reduces wind noise and variation. This construction also allows for triple-sealed doors and a tighter fit, minimizing gaps that result in more consistent wind noise performance.
“We paid a lot of attention to the doors,” Shippy said. “It’s an area that is highly sensitive to varying tolerances and so close to the driver and passengers. Sealing them correctly and consistently is a tough yet critical task.”
The triple seals include an acoustic water deflector and a full seal around the latch and outside door handle. Acoustic baffles in the door headers and acoustic laminated front door glass and an acoustic laminated windshield also enhance quietness.
Shaping and sealing of the exterior mirrors improved noise performance and made the most of aerodynamic performance.
Shippy and the noise and vibration team left no detail untouched. The list of improvements includes a special acoustic headliner, acoustic wheel house liners, acoustic hood blanket, dash mats on both sides of the front of dash and fender-to-body baffles. Even the way existing body sealers applied to keep out water and dust were analyzed to further isolate noise.
“The GMC customer is looking for a vehicle that’s a notch above the rest in all aspects, but especially in refinement,” said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president of Buick and GMC. “Interior quietness is an essential element to refinement and we keep hearing how impressively silent our new Yukons are. It’s really something to experience.”
The all-new Yukon family is built at GM’s Arlington, Texas assembly plant and arriving at GMC dealerships now.
2015 YUKON DENALI GAINS EIGHT GEARS, IMPROVED HIGHWAY FUEL ECONOMY
Updated model also includes wireless device charging, 4G connectivity
DETROIT – Thanks to the addition of an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission, the updated 2015 GMC Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali models now lead several competitors in horsepower, torque and highway fuel economy ratings.
Both the Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali now pair their 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engines with a new Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission, designed to be more fuel-efficient than the Denali’s previous six-speed automatic. EPA highway mileage estimates for two-wheel drive Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali models increase to 22 mpg with the eight-speed automatic, while the EPA city mileage estimate for the four-wheel drive Yukon Denali model rises to 15 mpg.
Within its segment, the Yukon Denali continues to deliver unrivaled power and efficiency. Denali’s 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 delivers a segment-leading 420 hp and segment-leading 460 lb-ft of torque with highway fuel economy equal to or better than many 6- or 8-cylinder engines in competitive makes.
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | EPA Highway Estimate | |||
| 2015 GMC Yukon Denali | 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 | 420 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 460 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm | 2WD | 22 mpg | |
| 4WD | 21 mpg | |||||
| 2015 Infiniti QX80 | 5.6L DOHC V-8 |
400 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 413 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 2WD | 20 mpg | |
| 4WD | 20 mpg | |||||
| 2015 Lincoln Navigator | 3.5L twin-turbocharged V-6 | 380 hp @ 5,250 rpm | 460 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm | 2WD | 22 mpg | |
| 4WD | 20 mpg | |||||
| 2015 Toyota Sequoia Platinum |
5.7L DOHC V-8 |
381 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 401 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm | 2WD | 17 mpg | |
| 4WD | 17 mpg | |||||
Compared to the Yukon Denali’s previous six-speed transmission, the new 8L90 transmission offers smaller steps between gears, allowing the engine to efficiently leverage its peak power bands. The wider gearing spread also allows the use of a lower 3.23:1 rear axle ratio, which reduces engine speeds and fuel consumption, especially during highway cruising.
Comfort and capability are not compromised for fuel economy. Not only is the 8L90 transmission capable of handling more torque than the six-speed transmission it replaces, but its shift controls and solenoids are more responsive and provide quicker shift times. A new torque converter also delivers smoother performance at low speeds, especially when carrying heavy loads or pulling trailers. Tow ratings – up to 8,400 pounds for the Yukon Denali and 8,100 pounds for the Yukon XL Denali – are unaffected by the addition of the eight-speed transmission.
The 2015 Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali continue to blend unique design elements with upscale amenities, including premium interior materials. Convenience and connectivity improvements include:
- A new hands-free power liftgate, which can be opened and closed by simply passing a foot beneath the rear bumper
- A wireless charging surface for WPC (Qi) or PMA (Powermat) compatible mobile devices integrated into the design of the center console lid. A list of compatible devices is located at gmtotalconnect.com
- OnStar with 4G LTE, which provides in-car data connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot capable of connecting up to seven devices at one time
- An enhanced GMC Intellilink system, which provides incoming ‘Text Message Alerts’ when paired to a compatible Bluetooth phone
Owners of 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL models can receive a tutorial on these new features through a new Yukon-specific application for tablet devices, which supplements the owner’s manual. The new Yukon app will be available for both Apple iOS and Android devices.
The updated 2015 Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali models are priced from $64,965 and $67,665 respectively, and are now available at dealers.
Note: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) includes destination freight charge but excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
