2024 Gmc Yukon At4 on 2040-cars

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GM confirms 2015 Silverado, Sierra to get 8-speed automatic

When viewed alongside the next Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500, there is one thing that seems to be missing from the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Where the F-150 will rely on turbocharging and aluminum architecture and the Ram sports an eight-speed automatic and an air suspension, the General Motors twins lack a big, calling-card feature. They're very good, very refined trucks, but one could argue that they're not terribly innovative.
And while it might not be as flashy a feature as air suspension or a lightweight skin, the Silverado and Sierra will get their own eight-speed automatic for 2015, a transmission that will be paired with the company's Ecotec3 6.2-liter V8. The new cogswapper will also find its way into the GMC Yukon Denali, but for now, there's no indication why the Cadillac Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe and standard Yukon are being left out.
According to GM, the new gearbox is about the same size and weight as the current Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed. By the time the new powertrain combination enters production late this year, the EPA will almost certainly have gotten around to certifying the vehicles' fuel efficiency. Until then, feel free to speculate. The current Silverado with the 6.2 and six-speed auto returns 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway. How much do you think the eight-speed will improve those figures? Scroll down for the official press blast from General Motors, and then head into Comments.

GMC Yukon spy shots show refresh with Acadia-style interior

GMC seems to be moving quickly to get its line-up's interiors all on the same page. These spy photos reveal that the GMC Yukon full-size SUV line will be getting an update that will refresh the exterior somewhat, and the interior much more significantly. The design of the interior is clearly derived that of the new Acadia. The center stack is dominated by one large vertical touchscreen, and sitting in the lower quarter of the screen is a floating multifunction knob. At the base of the screen are some chunky piano-key style buttons. They appear to be connected to some of the climate functions based on the screen's readout. On either side of the screen are vertical air vents, and we can just make out a bit of wood trim. Much of the rest of the dash is still hidden, but it's pretty clear this interior will look very close to that of the Acadia, as the screen and vent layout looks nearly identical. That means there should be an instrument cowl that extends just far enough to meet the center screen, and the rest of the dash should be fairly simple and unadorned. One other note, the steering wheel in this test vehicle has the lights and sensors for Super Cruise, so that will likely be offered, too. As for the exterior of the new Yukon, it won't be radically changed. While the Acadia and Terrain will be nearly all-new, the Yukon will just be a refresh with changes focused on the front and rear fascias. They're still very well covered in these spy shots, but expect some changes to grille shape and headlights to change somewhat. The example pictured appears to be an AT4 trim based on the shortened front bumper for improved approach angle. It also seems likely that the next AT4 will adopt the signature amber fender marker lights from the HD trucks, Canyon and now Acadia. Since this is a refresh, we wouldn't be surprised if we see the new Yukon shown sometime this year or early next. It will probably continue to offer the same range of engines and transmissions, including both gas V8s and the diesel inline-6. Related Video

GM announces 3 new recalls affecting 1.7M vehicles in North America [w/video]

Still embroiled in the ongoing ignition switch recall, General Motors announced today three more discrete recalls, affecting a grand total of 1,546,900 vehicles in the US. The Detroit News reports that some 1.7 million vehicles are affected overall in North America. The first and largest of the trio of new recalls concerns some 1.18-million Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia crossovers from the 2008-2013 model years, Chevrolet Traverse from 2009-2013 (pictured above) and Saturn Outlook vehicles from 2008-2010. All of the crossover utilities may have an issue with the wiring harness for their seat-mounted side airbags. Apparently, the vehicles are equipped with a Service Air Bag warning light that, if ignored, "will eventually result in the non-deployment of the side impact restraints." Those restraints include the side airbags, a front-center airbag if the vehicle is so equipped and seatbelt pretensioners. Dealers of affected vehicles will be instructed to remove driver and passenger side airbag wiring harness connectors, and then "splice and solder the wires together." The second recall affects 303,000 Chevrolet Express (pictured right) and GMC Savana vans from model years 2009-2014, and with gross vehicle weights under 10,000 pounds. Said vehicles do not comply with a head impact requirement for unrestrained occupants, and will need a reworking of the instrument panel material to be sent back on the road. It doesn't sound as though there's a quick fix for this one, as the GM press release states: "Unsold vehicles have been placed on a stop delivery until development of the solution has been completed and parts are available." Finally, the third recall affects 63,900 Cadillac XTS luxury sedans from model years 2013 and 2014. A brake booster pump may be susceptible to corrosion by way of the relay, potentially causing and electrical short, overheating, melting of plastic components and even engine fires. GM says it is aware of two engine fires in unsold XTS models and two cases of melted parts. Repairs for the issues affecting the XTS have not not mentioned by GM in the release. The Detroit News is also reporting that along with news of the triple-recall, GM is taking a $300-million credit to help pay for the repair costs, and to deal with the ongoing costs associated with the ignition switch recall. In an attempt to explain just what GM has been doing in the face of these very serious issues, newly minted CEO Mary Barra has addressed the issues in a new video.