sorea rea blog: Gmc Denali

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The Denali nameplate started as the top-of-the-line version of the GMC Yukon for the 1999 model year. It was also GM's first attempt to cannabalize sales from the new-for-1998 Lincoln Navigator. At the time of it's introduction General Motors decided to give Cadillac its own luxury SUV so the Denali's exterior was shared with the 1999 Cadillac Escalade, with only the front fascia and lower side body panels differing from the standard Yukon. Even though the Yukon was redesigned alongside the Chevrolet Suburban and Chevrolet Tahoe in 2000, the Denali and Escalade retained their 1990s base design.

2002 GMC Sierra Denali with

Holden designed GMC Denali XT
The "Denali" moniker is derived from the native name for Mount McKinley in Alaska, and is also the name of the national park that surrounds the mountain, as well as a state park.

SOLD 2005 GMC Denali

In 1998 at the time of it's introduction the Yukon Denali's exterior, which it later shared with the 1999 Cadillac Escalade, differed from the standard Yukon in the front fascia and lower side body panels as well as having unique 16" polished aluminum wheels and a special exhaust cutout for a right side-exiting cast exhaust tip. The interior of the Denali also featured several upgrades not available on the mainstream Yukon. These standard features included an upgraded Nuance leather interior, driver and passenger 6-way power seats with power lumbar support, front and rear heated seats, a Delco/Bose 7 speaker (including subwoofer) audio system, an in-dash cassette, single CD player and an in-console 6-disc CD changer. Zebrano woodgrain accents decorated the front doors and center console. The front and rear doors featured unique "Yukon Denali" stitching in the panels.

gmc denali

The 350 cubic inch 5.7-litre 255 horsepower (L31) V8 was the only engine offered. RPO ZM9 was standard which included Bilstein 46mm shock absorbers and 3.73 front and rear axle ratios as well as a locking rear differential. Separate coolers for the transmission and engine oil were also standard. The Denali upgrade also included GM's automatic transfer case which allowed for push button transitions from 2-wheel high to 4-wheel high to 4 wheel low or fully automatic switching from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive.

The 2003 - 2006 GMC Denali

Of GMC Denali Suspension

Even though the GMC Yukon was redesigned alongside the Chevrolet Suburban and Chevrolet Tahoe in 2000, the Denali and Escalade retained their 1990s base design. It was not until 2001 that the Denali was redesigned. GMC also introduced the extended-length (Suburban-based) Yukon XL Denali. Embossed side body panels and chrome surrounding the headlights differentiate the Yukon Denali from the regular Yukon. 2001 also saw the introduction of the honeycomb pattern grille which now has become the hallmark of the Denali nameplate. 2001 saw the introduction of the 6.0L V8 application in the standard-size Yukon in the Denali trim, which it also shared with the Cadillac Escalade. The engine produced 320 hp upon its introduction, then was upgraded to 325 hp in 2003. 2001 also introduced a new upgraded interior and new options such as 20-inch wheels.

GMC Denali XT Hybrid

Gmc denali xt hybrid concept

2008 GMC Denali XT Hybrid
The previous (for 2001 only) C3 model of the GMC Sierra pickup truck was also renamed Denali in late 2001 as a 2002 model. The 2002–2004 Sierra Denali was equipped standard with a 325 hp 6.0L V8, All Wheel Drive and Quadrasteer, the 4-wheel steering system developed by General Motors.

gmc denali

2011 gmc denali hd interior

For 2005-2006 and 2007 "Classic Body Style" Sierra Denali's were equipped with a 6.0L 345 HP V8. Also the trucks from 2005-2007 (2007 being classic body style) were changed to a crew cab with a 5'8" bed and did not have quadrasteer as the 2002-2004 Sierra Denali's had.