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Kyle's Kars: Green Discovered in the Yukon Territory
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by Kyle Quesnoy
Kyle Quesnoy is an automotive journalist for Canyon News in Beverly Hills, CA. He often focuses his weekly column Kyle's Kars, on the environmental impacts and developments of today's automobile industry.
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For 2007, the light truck division of General Motors, GMC, decided to give its Yukon a New Year’s resolution. Like many who spent the previous year overeating, the Yukon line-up went on a diet. The diet consisted of E85 FlexFuel for select models, whereas most models, in accordance with GM’s Active Fuel Management Technology, were required to shut down four of their eight cylinders while under leisurely driving conditions. This year, a new more ambitious member of the Yukon family, the new 2008 Yukon Hybrid, has decided to up the ante. It is hoping to cut fuel consumption by 50 percent compared to its non-hybrid siblings by incorporating not only a hybrid propulsion system but a slightly altered, more efficient body design as well.
GM’s hybrid drive train makes the Yukon “The World’s First 2-Mode Hybrid SUV,” according to GMC. The first mode, primarily activated in around town stop and go traffic, prods the Yukon on by continually varying between electric power only, a mix of electric and gas power, or gas power only. Since the gas engine can be completely shut down for periods of time, precious fuel can be saved. At highway speeds the second mode activates allowing the 6.0 liter Vortec V8 to take the reins while the twin 60 KW motors assist only when needed, while pulling a trailer over a high mountain pass for example. Because internal combustion engines require an adequate amount of oxygen to achieve full power, they inexorably find themselves gasping for air at high elevations due to the air’s reduced oxygen content. In the Yukon Hybrid, the electric motors can, in theory, pick up the slack in said situation, thus making thin air a moot point.
The engine bay could not contain GMC’s fuel saving talents as they seem to spill out over the entire vehicle. Understanding the role of aerodynamics and mass reduction in increasing MPGs, GMC engineers gave the Hybrid version of the Yukon its own unique body components and trim. Up front, the streamlining is most evident. A large lip spoiler resides under the revised front fascia reducing drag. The front suspension has been modified with a lower trim height to further reduce wind resistance. The hood and lift gate are both aluminum with the hood receiving additional streamlining at its leading edge. Continuing around back, there is a new rear pillar, rear hatch spoiler, and close-out panel under the shady end to improve airflow. If that wasn’t enough, GM threw on some special lightweight wheels with the “lowest rolling-resistance tires available on a full-size SUV.”
Out on the open road, where Yukons are most at home, the ride is noticeably more taught than Yukons of yore. While it is still not as refined as a Lincoln Navigator, due to GM’s reluctance to adopt a more modern independent rear suspension setup, the inevitably awkward discrepancy between front and rear rebound control has been minimized. It isn’t, however, a mystery as to why GM continues to hold onto its primitive rear suspension choice. Traditionally rigid rear axle setups were thought to provide a higher tow rating than fully independent suspension configurations thanks to their higher load capacity. Because added weight tends to offset the camber angle of each wheel on an independent setup, rigid axles were a more practical design due to their tire-saving properties. Unfortunately, the engineers over at Ford Motor Corp. forgot to pass word on to their GM counterparts that, when properly equipped, a full-size SUV using a modern fully independent rear suspension can tow just as much if not more than one still riding around on the old hardware. According to Ford’s statistics, a 4X2 Ford Expedition equipped with optional Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package can tow up to 9,000 pounds. That’s 2,800 pounds more than the maximum towing capacity of a 4X2 Yukon Hybrid. In a practical sense, it appears GM has run out of excuses. It’s time to ditch the old suspenders.
At least GM used the probable money savings afforded by its old-world chassis to pamper the passengers. Inside you will find heated leather seats that feature separate controls for the seat back and cushion. The on-board computer displays individual air pressure readings for each tire and a transmission temperature gage for those interested in testing the Hybrid’s towing capacity. There is also a compass and thermometer in the rear view mirror as well as a more specific compass accessed through the navigation screen. The feature list continues almost beyond reason when you tally up the remaining fuel saving gizmos engineered into the Yukon Hybrid. Suffice it to say, GM engineers left no stone unturned. Better them than the oil companies.
All in all, the Yukon Hybrid represents a painstaking effort on the part of General Motors and GMC to repel the unflattering labels often cast upon buyers of full-size family friendly SUVs by environmental activists. No, the Yukon Hybrid cannot match the fuel economy numbers of more practical crossover SUVs on the market, but then again, if you require a vehicle with the ability to tow a large boat or house trailer up to a lofty vacation spot in the mountains, the Yukon Hybrid can get the job done in a relatively clean and fuel efficient fashion that few if any other consumer vehicles on the road can match.
All images courtesy of GM
Published: Aug 18,2008 00:31
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Andy Cowan
Andy Cowan, an award-winning writer, whose credits include Cheers and Seinfeld, regularly contributes humor pieces to the Los Angeles Times and the CBS Jack FM Radio Network.
Paul M. J. Suchecki
Paul M. J. Suchecki has more than 30 years of experience as an award winning writer, producer, and cameraman. He's written numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Currently he writes, produces and shoots for LA CityView Channel 35 and his more than 250 articles for Ehow.com are approaching half a million readers.
Coby Kindles
Coby Kindles is a freelance journalist, screenplay writer and essayist. She has been a staff writer at Knight Ridder and a regular contributor to The Associated Press.
Debbie Milam
Debbie Milam is a syndicated columnist for United Press International, an occupational therapist, family success consultant, and motivational speaker with more than 20 years experience. Her work on stress management, spirituality, parenting, and special-needs children has been featured in over 300 media outlets including First for Women, The Miami Herald, Elle, Ladies Home Journal, The Hallmark Channel, PBS and WebMD.
Dan Rafter
Dan Rafter has covered the residential real estate industry for more than 15 years. He has contributed real estate stories to the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Business 2.0 Magazine, Home Magazine, Smart HomeOwner Magazine and many others.
Jack Nargundkar
Jack Nargundkar has been repeatedly published in Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He is also an author of "The Bush Diaries" published in July 2005.
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