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Well-
Proportioned
Exteriors
Powerful
Front-End
Styling
Precision-
Designed
Larger
Windshields,
Better Wipers
Larger
Windshields,
Better Wipers
Larger,
Safer
outside
Mirrors
Optimum Lighting
Wider,
Stronger
Stance
Wider
Stance
Muscular
Body
More
Robust
Design
All-Aluminum
Rear Liftgate
Rear Cargo
Doors
New Rear
Step Bumper
Relocated
Spare Tire
Storage
|
AutoWorld.com -
DETROIT - The new Yukon and Yukon XL share bold, distinctive GMC styling. The look
is powerful, with precisely designed exterior features that increase overall vehicle safety
and functionality.
Yukon and Yukon XL have strong, nicely proportioned attractive exteriors that serve
their buyers well.
With a 76.7-inch height, 78.9-inch width and overall length of 198.9 inches, the sporty
Yukon fits easily into standard size garages or normal parking spaces, while providing
large cargo-carrying capacity and increased passenger-carrying capability of up to nine
people.
Similarly, the larger-capacity Yukon XL hasn't sacrificed any of the exterior dimensions
that allow it to easily negotiate turns, maneuver into parking
spaces or fit into garages. With
an overall length of 219.3 inches, height of 75.8 inches and 78.9-inch width, it has resisted
the concept that bigger is best and remains focused on useful capability as the measure
of success.
Both vehicles are much more agile, with Yukon having a 1.5-foot and 2.4-foot tighter
turning diameter for two- and four-wheel-drive models, respectively.
The Yukon and Yukon XL feature a prominent, powerful front-end design with
distinctive GMC styling. The unique, blacked-out center-port grille, framing GMC's classic logo,
has been widened by four inches for increased airflow and engine cooling capacity.
A powerful domed hood, larger headlamps, and a more muscular, wraparound bumper
all reflect the enhanced capabilities of these new SUVs.
High-strength dent-resistant steel is used for the outer panels on front fenders and all side
doors. This steel has been further strengthened by bonding stamped inner reinforcement
panels to the outer panels.
The Yukon and Yukon XL's highly distinctive forward lighting system incorporates
composite front headlamps, park lamps, standard halogen foglamps and turn signals into a
single wraparound unit.
Front-end safety is also improved with replaceable crush caps on V.-ton frames that
telescope inward in the event of a collision to absorb more energy.
The front end has also been carefully designed to provide more safety for pedestrians,
cyclists or others who might bump into or brush against it. As a segment first, virtually all
the external vehicle edges have been rounded to a 2.5-mm radius and the leading edge
of the bumper has been rounded to a 5-mm radius to better protect those outside the
vehicle.
A larger windshield, with a greater upward viewing angle for reading signs and seeing
traffic lights, and longer 22-inch wet-arm spray wipers improve forward visibility. A new
design also enables wipers to operate more quietly.
The rear wiper/washers, standard on models equipped with a liftgate, also have larger
blades that clear more glass area. These wipers have a new two-position delay setting
of three and 15 seconds, the latter for light mist, preventing unnecessary wear on the
wiper blades and motor. Rear wipers also feature a wet-arm design that sprays fluid only
where it's needed.
Rearward visibility is also improved with large, standard 50-square-inch-glass outside
mirrors that dwarf those of many competitors. The standard mirrors are heated for better
wintertime visibility and include flood lamps that illuminate the ground directly below
the driver and passenger doors and 30-degree rearward for safer entry and exit. The
flood lamps are activated when the key fob is used or the door handle pulled.
An electrochromic outside rearview mirror that automatically dims to reduce the glare
from vehicles in the rear is available for the driver's side. The standard electrochromic
interior rearview mirror includes outside temperature and compass.
Special trailering mirrors are also available for those who want an even wider field of
vision. They telescope out for an optimum viewing angle and can be moved back closer
to the door for everyday driving.
For added safety, the new Yukon and Yukon XL also feature advanced Automatic
Exterior Lighting technology, which includes brighter headlamps, unique amber-colored
turn signals and hazard lights, new dedicated Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs), standard
foglamps and faster-responding Center High Mounted Stop Lamps (CHMSL).
The DRLs automatically illuminate when the vehicle is shifted out of "park," improving its
visibility to other drivers during daylight. Now dedicated, the DRLs are located below the
headlamps and interact with them to provide the right lighting for varying driving
conditions. When the new SUVs sense dim light, they automatically shut the DRLs off and
turn on the headlamps and taillamps, increasing safety at dusk or in long tunnels.
For added safety the headlamps deliver a broader light pattern and longer 385-foot visual
range on low beam. High beams illuminate to 695 feet. Brighter, wider backup lamps
also improve visibility in reverse.
Amber-colored turn signals and hazard lights help to more clearly communicate a
driver's intentions to other drivers. With the hazard lights now part of the turn signals, they
also stand out more clearly - and cannot be overridden - by the red stop lights, when
both operate at the same time.
The standard halogen reflector beam foglamps improve safety. The LED CHMSL illumi-
nates much more quickly than conventional bulbs, giving drivers in the rear more time
to react.
Like other components, the headlamps are also designed for convenience and low-cost
maintenance. They can be replaced without tools, simply by removing two pins.
The new Yukon and 1/~-ton Yukon XL strike a commanding presence with their high,
broad-shouldered stance and wider tracks which are 2.5 inches and 1.0 inch wider in
the front for two- and four-wheel drive models, respectively; 2.4 inches wider in the rear,
along with the large standard 16-inch wheels. The large wheels accommodate larger
brakes and help direct airflow for better braking.
The Yukon and Yukon XL half-ton models offer three GMC-exclusive aluminum wheel
designs; the 3/4-ton Yukon XL offers a choice of stainless steel clad or forged aluminum
wheels, the latter being offered for the first time on this vehicle.
The rear of the Yukon and Yukon XL features a highly muscular body design that rein-
forces their increased strength and capabilities. The design is reflected in the extra
shoulder of their rear quarter panels and doors and accentuated by flared fenders above
the wheel housings.
These styling cues reflect the Yukon and Yukon XL's robust design. A few examples
include:
Large door handles, set into deeper pockets, that provide laborers, skiers and
other outdoors people the convenience of being able to open the doors without
removing their gloves. They also provide more protection against scratches and
abrasions to the exterior paint.
Robust side door hinges created by using a new door check mechanism and
permanently sealed bushings enable front side doors, for example, to withstand
400,000 door slams or twice the normal customer requirement.
Another example of increased durability is the new standard corrosion-resistant all-
aluminum liftgate, featured on the Yukon and Yukon XL. An industry first, it is the largest
aluminum assembly ever featured on a GMC product. Both the inner and outer panels
and all the reinforcements are made of aluminum.
In addition to longer life, the 50-pound lighter weight design makes it easier to open and
close and helps improve fuel economy and load-carrying capability.
The liftgate features a large hatch release handle for easy opening and a pull-down strap
for convenient closing. It also includes a liftglass, with a dedicated push button that
releases the glass, providing a quick, convenient means of dropping smaller items into
the cargo area or allowing longer objects to extend out the back.
The new Yukon and Yukon XL continue to offer rear cargo doors as a segment exclusive.
They open partially at 95 degrees or fully at 135 degrees for quick, convenient loading
of anything from groceries to large plywood sheets in close quarters, without worry about
obstructions. As a particular convenience for trailering enthusiasts, the doors can be
opened and closed with a trailer attached, without worry about obstructions like an
electric jack or liquid propane tank in front of the trailer.
Cargo door hinges are now hidden, providing a more attractive appearance and increased
protection from outside elements.
As a standard feature, the Yukon and Yukon XL feature a new chrome rear step bumper,
with a protective step pad. It has a 500-pound tongue weight and 5,000-pound trailer
rating and also acts as a convenient assist step in loading cargo or accessing the
luggage rack.
On Yukon XL, relocation of the spare tire from inside the cargo area to beneath the rear
of the vehicle also helps reduce a potential "blind spot." |
