Autoblog

Stuart attended the GM press conference where GM’s largest SUVs were just unveiled. The Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL are the company’s flagship SUV’s when it comes to size (not counting Cadillac’s ESV). At the start of production the ‘Burb will be fitted with a 5.3L V8 sporting Active Fuel Management (used to be called Displacement on Demand) and the ability to run on E85 fuel (nice touch). The base engine will develop 320 hp, 340 lb-ft of torque and return best-in-class fuel economy, though a 6.0L V8 with variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management producing 355 hp will be made available later on 1500 and heavy-duty models. This will be the first time VVT is offered on a mass-produced V8 cam-in-block design. It also appears there are two versions of each engine as well, one all-aluminum and one with an iron cylinder block that will be available with heavy duty models.

The Suburban will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ models with 2WD and 4WD, while a Z71off-road package will come out later in the model year. The Yukon XL will be available in SLE (cloth) and SLT (leather) trim, as well as 2WD and 4WD. The Yukon will also get the Suburban’s 5.3L and 6.0L V8s, but will add a third all-aluminum 6.2L small-block V8 with variable valve timing that produces 380 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, making this big ute the most powerful vehicle in its class, according to GM and pending SAE certification.

Both vehicles will be available in the 2nd quarter of 2006.

Many more pics and Suburban’s full press release after the jump…




LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet announced the 2007 Chevy Suburban, the next generation of the industry’s most capable full-size SUV. The all-new Suburban is capable of hauling more passengers and cargo than any other vehicle in the segment – and a 360-degree safety system of occupant protection and crash-avoidance technology that demonstrates GM’s commitment to providing world-class safety.

The ‘07 Suburban is based on GM’s new, full-size SUV architecture, which features sleek exterior styling, a sharper, more precise driving feel, more power with improved, segment-leading fuel economy, increased interior refinement and improved quietness. Suburban rides on a 130-inch (3,302 mm) wheelbase, which supports generous passenger and cargo capability, while enabling a smooth ride.

“Suburban is the industry benchmark when it comes to capability and the 2007 model affirms the reputation established in 1935, when the first Suburban was introduced,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Suburban continues to meet the needs of consumers by delivering its combination of cargo, passenger and towing capabilities safely and efficiently.”

The 2007 Suburban is available in the second quarter of 2006. It is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models, with 2WD and 4WD (a Z71 off-road package will be offered later in the model year), as well as 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 series. At the start of production, Suburban 1500 models will come with an efficient 5.3L V-8 with Active Fuel Management™ displacement on demand fuel-saving technology. Later, a new, all-aluminum 6.0L V-8 with Active Fuel Management displacement on demand and variable valve timing (VVT) will be available. A 6.0L engine with VVT and an iron cylinder block is offered on 2500 models.

Suburban also offers a host of new and enhanced safety features, including available head curtain side air bags and standard StabiliTrak stability control system with new rollover mitigation technology.

“Suburban has a long history of safety innovation,” said Peper. “The ’07 model elevates Suburban’s safety reputation with one of the most comprehensive and cohesive systems of standard and available features – all wrapped in a stronger structure that provides comforting assurance.”

Superior safety
The ’07 Suburban offers security in the form of a 360-degree perimeter safety system of occupant protection and crash avoidance technologies. New features include roof-mounted head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows and front-seat safety belt pretensioners that are linked to the vehicle's sensing system to provide segment-exclusive deployment in rear-end crashes. These features are integrated into a stronger vehicle structure that is also designed for improved compatibility with other vehicles. The roof-mounted head curtain air bags include design features that provide increased rollover protection and occupant containment. Sensors located at the front of the vehicle, in the side doors, and within the occupant compartment provide increased and more immediate crash detection. The vehicle's sensing system provides segment-exclusive capability to deploy front seat safety belt pretensioners during certain rear-end collisions, enhancing the belt system's ability to hold the occupants firmly in place.

The roof-mounted head curtain side air bag system incorporates one of the segment's first rollover indication sensors, which is located on the vehicle's center tunnel in the occupant compartment. The sensor monitors the vehicle's accelerations and roll rate. If these signals indicate an impending rollover, the roof-mounted head curtain side air bags deploy to provide an extra measure of occupant protection and containment. These rollover-capable head curtain side air bags stay inflated longer than air bags developed only for side impacts because rollover incidents can last longer. The deployment duration and other design features of the rollover-capable air bags combine to provide increased occupant protection and the ability to help keep occupants inside the vehicle.

Crash avoidance is bolstered through enhanced design and driver control dynamics, such as wider front and rear tracks, as well as more responsive suspensions – including a new coil-over-shock front suspension design and new rack-and-pinion steering. The vehicles are built on a stronger and stiffer, fully-boxed frame that contributes to enhanced crash energy management. The front frame section has been designed to optimize crush progression, resulting in improved energy absorption efficiency. The improved crush performance, enabled by hydroformed frame rails and efficient chassis component packaging, also comprehends design provisions for improved vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a frontal impact with a smaller vehicle.

Additional safety features include:

• Standard StabiliTrak stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
• Standard dual-stage driver's front air bag
• Standard dual-stage outboard-front passenger air bag with Passenger
• Sensing System
• Available roof-mounted head curtain side air bags for all three seating rows
• Standard front seat safety belt pretensioners with rear impact
• deployment capability
• Standard tire pressure monitoring system
• Available rain-sensing wiper system
• Available Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist that can detect certain stationary objects in the rearward path of the vehicle and send an audible warning sound and display via three LEDs on the right D-pillar
• Available rear-view camera system designed to provide the driver with
• a view of people or objects in the rearward path of the vehicle
• Standard pull-up/push-down power window switches

All models come with the Generation 6 OnStar system (with a one-year Safe and Sound service plan). The system includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to emergency services to potentially dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. If the vehicle is in a crash that activates an air bag, the OnStar system automatically notifies an OnStar Advisor, who will check on the occupants or summon emergency help if necessary. OnStar also can assist authorities in locating a vehicle if it is reported stolen (ability to locate stolen vehicles varies with conditions).

New full-size SUV foundation
Suburban is built on GM’s new full-size SUV platform, which incorporates features such as a new, fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and an all-new, premium interior system that bolster the vehicle’s comfort, quality and capability. Wider front and rear tracks enhance handling and lower the center of gravity for a more confident road feel.

Extensive attention to detail was paid by Suburban’s engineers to ensure a quiet driving experience. It centers on a new, stiffer frame, which reduces vibrations transmitted to the passenger cabin. The strength and accuracy of the fully-boxed frame also enable more precise mounting and tuning of chassis and suspension components, which also help reduce vibration. Even the tires on the large, 17-inch standard and 20-inch available wheels were designed to reduce noise.

Noise-reducing components and materials are used throughout the body structure, including the headliner material, door seals and front-of-dash area. The engines also feature a quiet-tuned alternator and an acoustically tuned engine cover that reduces engine noise heard inside the vehicle. New door seals help reduce seal “pull-away” at highway speeds, which can cause wind noise. Also, a sleeker shape, thanks to improved aerodynamics, streamlined exterior mirrors and roof rack, more steeply raked windshield and tighter body gap tolerances, assures a quiet ride.

Suburban’s quietness and smoothness is complemented by the Autoride suspension system, which is standard on LTZ. This segment-exclusive bi-state, real-time damping system provides an extremely refined ride with greatly reduced body motion. The system consists of a semi-active, two-position damping control system that responds in real time to road and driving conditions, based on body and wheel motion sensors.

Suburban’s quietness and smoothness are complemented by capabilities full-size SUV customers depend on. Suburban 1500 offers up to 8,100 pounds (3,674 kg) of towing capability (2WD models), when properly equipped. Suburban 2500 can tow up to 9,700 pounds (4,400 kg).

Distinctive exterior design
Suburban’s all-new exterior design is leaner and more agile looking, with a more steeply raked windshield and smoother roofline accentuating the exterior length. Suburban wears the new face of Chevrolet, with a large Chevy gold bowtie, centered on a twin-port horizontal grille. The body-colored grille surround is inset with an argent texture mesh. Fog lamps and headlamps feature jewel-like optics. The lower fascia, incorporating the front license plate holder and integrated tow hooks, is aggressively styled with a skid plate look that enhances Suburban’s rugged, off-road appearance.

Suburban’s front end styling reflects its capability. It includes the fast-rake windshield; a bulging power dome hood; a prominent new fender design with integrated wheel flares; a distinctive new grille and headlamps; and a full-wrap fascia. The wraparound fascia, which eliminates the conventional bumper-to-body gap, is one of the numerous attributes that gives the Suburban a more refined look. It also enhances aerodynamics. There also is a new family of 17-inch and 20-inch wheels. Seventeen-inch wheels and tires are standard, with 20-inch factory-installed wheels available. The larger wheels fill Suburban’s wheel houses, giving the vehicle a confident stance.

An available Z71 Off Road package (available in the fourth quarter of 2006) takes this aggressive look to the next level, with larger tow hook openings, larger, more prominent fog lamps and specific grille texture and platinum chrome grille trim. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires also are part of the package.

Suburban is offered in nine exterior colors: Greystone Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Sport Red Metallic, Bermuda Blue Metallic, Black, Summit White, Gold Mist Metallic, Antique Bronze Metallic and Silver Birch Metallic.

Refined interior and thoughtful convenience built in
The interior of the ’07 Suburban represents significant new levels of refinement, comfort, quality and convenience. The roomier interior is airy, thanks to a lower instrument panel and deeper windshield that improve outward visibility. Passenger space also is increased, including more shoulder space for rear passengers, which is packaged with the available roof-mounted head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows. Behind the first-row seats, Suburban offers 137.4 cubic feet (3,890.6 liters) of cargo room.

Suburban’s seats are designed to provide more comfort, additional passenger-carrying flexibility, and easier entry/egress. Door pillar-mounted first- and second-row three-point safety belts facilitate the slimmer designs (second-row, center position uses an SUV-typical three-point belt-to-seat design). Seat comfort has been further improved with firmer foams, including more aggressive bolsters. The front-row seats have one-inch more aft travel than previous models. Second-row seats provide 0.4 inch (10 mm) more legroom and knee room. Their seatback angle is adjusted an additional two degrees rearward for extra comfort.

Refinements throughout Suburban’s spacious interior create an environment that exudes quality and precision. A two-tone color scheme is executed with new, softer and low-gloss materials for the instrument panel and other trim pieces. An all-Ebony interior is available.

Additional details include LED backlighting for the instruments and chrome accents on instruments and vents. Flush-mounted accessories and controls, such as the climate control/radio center stack, create a seamless, “single unit” appearance. Also, there are almost no exposed metal hardware or latches, as all models feature enclosing “close outs” around the seat bottoms and door sill trim plates.

Accessibility and capability are enhanced with features that include a unique power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat and a third-row seat that also is easily removable. New comfort features include increased seat travel and seatback angles and an upgraded HVAC system. Storage capability is improved with the segment’s largest center console storage bin, a larger glove box and additional new storage compartments.

Suburban’s interior features include:

• Power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat
• Remote vehicle starting system
• First- and second-row heated seats
• Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
• Rearview camera system
• Touch-screen navigation system
• Power-articulating running boards (third-quarter ’06 availability)
• DVD rear-seat entertainment system with larger, 8-inch screen and enhanced features.

Suburban also features an impressive new audio/navigation lineup, which provides quality entertainment and information. A new family of CD/MP3-compatible radios leads the audio lineup, with an enhanced DVD entertainment system that includes a larger, 8-inch screen (with in-dash loading). A new touch-screen navigation radio is available and incorporates the view monitor for the available rear-camera system.

Enhanced efficiency
A new Gen IV small-block V-8 family offers more power than comparable powertrains in previous models. Standard at the start of production in Suburban 1500 models is a Vortec 5.3L V-8 with 320 horsepower (238 kw)* and 335 lb.-ft. of torque (463 Nm)*, which offers Active Fuel Management displacement on demand fuel-saving technology. Active Fuel Management displacement on demand technology seamlessly switches between eight- and four-cylinder power to save fuel. Two versions of the Vortec 5.3L Gen IV V-8 – including an aluminum-block version that is standard in 4WD models – are compatible with E85 ethanol-based fuel, an alternative to gasoline. The engines can run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85 fuel.

Coming later in the year for 1500 models is a powerful, new all-aluminum 6.0L V-8 with variable valve timing, as well as Active Fuel Management displacement on demand technology. The engine is rated at 355 horsepower (264 kw)*. VVT helps optimize camshaft timing to improve low-rpm torque and high-rpm horsepower. The system is enabled by a unique dual-equal cam phaser – the industry’s first application of VVT on a mass-produced V-8 cam-in-block engine. The unique dual-equal phaser adjusts the camshaft timing at the same rate for both the intake and exhaust valves. A Hydra-Matic 4L70 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the engine.

Heavy-duty Suburban 2500 models offer a 6.0L V-8 with VVT. It features an iron cylinder block and is rated at 350 horsepower (261 kw)* and 360 lb.-ft. of torque (497 Nm). It is matched with a robust Hydra-Matic 4L80 four-speed automatic transmission.

Contributing to Suburban’s more efficient performance are improved aerodynamics. A more steeply raked windshield and smoother roofline improve airflow over the vehicle, while additional contributors to efficiency include a lower, wider front air dam, tighter tolerances and gaps between the fascias, lamps and grille openings, and improved front-end sealing that nearly eliminates air leak paths. These features all contribute to enhanced fuel economy and improved driving quietness, compared with previous models.