Automotive Update

One thing that I have noticed lately is that the Yukon Denali SUV is by far one of the most popular SUV’s on the market.  However – these SUV’s really do suck up a lot of gas and they are truly the gas guzzlers of the world.  Not anymore!  GM has actually switched around the gears in their heads and they have decided to develop a hybrid model of the Yukon Denali SUV.  Which to me, is pretty friggin’ cool!  The hybrid model is going to be one of the coolest SUVs I think in the world.

While there will not be any mechanical changes to the gas-electric drivetrain that’s been available and in use since 2008, they are going to definitely switch up the look a little bit of the Yukon Denali SUV.  The engine however will be 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine with 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque and up to a 6,200-pound towing capacity, which is not bad at all!

So if you are the type of person that has been waiting for an SUV with the GM name on it that is a hybrid car, check out the Yukon Denali SUV hybrid!

Lately, the big news — indeed, the only news — surrounding General Motors has been the fact that the manufacturer is busy filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Now, however, GM is in the news for another reason. The big name automaker recently opened a battery lab which is already being called one of the most technologically advanced ones in the entire country. Rather than being based in Detroit, GM’s home turf, the lab is headquartered instead in Warren, Michigan. It is expected that the battery plant will help General Motors remain at the very forefront of technology, specifically in terms of advanced batteries.

The new facility is called the Global Battery Systems Lab. It is designed to help General Motors get plug in and electric hybrid vehicles onto the market at a faster rate. One such vehicle will be the Chevrolet Volt. GM will also be developing hydrogen fuel cell cars through the facility.

The results of a recent crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety might make consumers think twice before getting four brands of full-sized 2009 pickups.

The research group reveals that the Nissan Titan which is not equipped with airbags for side impacts and the Silverado from Chevrolet were rated “poor” during the tests.

“Marginal” ratings were issued for the Dodge Ram that comes standard with side-impact airbags. The crew cab version of the Silverado was assessed as poor while the Titan that comes optional with airbags was also rated marginal.

The GMC Sierra also did not fair well getting the same ratings as its sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado.

The IIHS issues ratings in four categories: good, acceptable, marginal, poor.

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