New Fuel Efficency Package Announced For 09 Trucks And Suvs

[coyotefreek]

Announcement today, quoted from Edmunds.com:

 

"DETROIT — General Motors will produce for the 2009 model year special fuel economy models of four of its biggest, thirstiest trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups and the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs.

 

Grouped under the moniker XFE, which Chevrolet has already used on a high-mpg version of the Cobalt small car, the trucks will return 15 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway. That represents a single mile-per-gallon improvement for both city and highway, compared to non-XFE versions with the same 5.3-liter V8 engine.

 

Unlike the two-mode hybrid versions of the company's big trucks, the XFE models use totally conventional means to achieve their improvements. All XFEs will use six-speed transmissions and a 3.08 axle ratio, and the Silverado and Sierra XFEs get aluminum lower control arms for the front suspension, and an aluminum spare wheel and aluminum 17-inch wheels wearing low-rolling-resistance tires (with higher recommended tire pressure). To improve aerodynamics, the pickups' suspension has been lowered and the XFEs carry deeper front airdams and soft tonneau covers.

 

The SUVs get the same mechanical changes as the pickups.

 

The XFE suite of equipment is offered only on two-wheel-drive versions of the trucks and SUVs and only in pickups in the crew-cab body style.

 

GM has not announced pricing on the models. They will be in dealership showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year."

 

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=130599

 

Looks like with the 3.08 axle this package probably wont be available with any of the towing packs, also only for crew cabs. So looks like the 6 speed on its own is netting less then a 1mpg difference.

[Griffin86]

Thats cool, always wondered why they never did some of that stuff. I like on the website how they say it is for crew cab trucks and they have a picture of a reg cab

[SoCalChris]

Most people could save much more than 1mpg by just changing a few driving habits. I doubt many people will opt for this package if there is any added cost. The only real benefits worth anything are the aluminum wheels and tonneau cover, both of those can be added easily enough already.

[pennzoil29]

Most people could save much more than 1mpg by just changing a few driving habits. I doubt many people will opt for this package if there is any added cost. The only real benefits worth anything are the aluminum wheels and tonneau cover, both of those can be added easily enough already.

 

+1 for changing your driving habits. I'm averaging about 2 more mpg just by keeping my foot out of it, and doing the speed limit. It's boring, but worth it.

[huero626]

That rear axle ratio seems really low 3.08, I'd rather just keep my 4.10 & G80 in my Suburban and change my driving style and get probably as good mpg as the new fuel efficiency trucks. If u wanna save gas u just got to drive slower and change your normal driving habits. I hear all these people that say they want to save gas and then they're going 100mph on the freeway, fast takeoffs and they wonder why there mpg are low. Just drive slower if u wanna save gas.

[fbachman]

Thats cool, always wondered why they never did some of that stuff. I like on the website how they say it is for crew cab trucks and they have a picture of a reg cab

 

It costs them on the unit cost side, and thus, comes straight out of profit. Prior to the gas run-up, no one would have cared.

 

Not sure they would NOW for 1 mpg.

 

As indicated above, as well, I think we could ALL squeeze out a mpg if we put our minds to it via driving habits.

 

I dunno, we'll see. This sounds like a "quick fix" attempt out of desperation.

 

Bottom line, the gas prices are shaking the tree, and the ones falling out of it are those who bought a full size truck, couldn't REALLY afford it, and now have to get something they can afford to drive.

 

Folks that can afford it, and really want a truck, will buy them. IT just won't amount to 60% of GMs volume any more. The china cabinet has been kicked, the plates are still ratlling, and we'll have to wait and see where it all settles out.

 

[skp05]

aluminum 17-inch wheels wearing low-rolling-resistance tires (with higher recommended tire pressure).

 

 

Then you'lll see it sitting on a dealer lot with aftermarket 20" wheels and tires!

[tnord]

i'm glad to see GM thinking of newer ways to improve effeciency. i think the aero thing has real potential, as there's so much air flowing under these things because they sit to high, and it's going to be real turbulent air with all the openings and parts underneath. further reducing and smoothing airflow underneath i bet would result in a 1-2mpg increase.

[omegafiler]

I suppose if somebody really needs a truck and is willing to take any MPG help they can get, they'll buy 'em. Also assuming they don't cost a whole lot. And hopefully for GM, people will buy 'em!

[tnord]

this might be a good option for fleets also.