Custom 2006 Sierra 6.0l 4l80e Cammed Tuned Ready To Cruise Or Show on 2040-cars

Auto blog

GM's MPG overstatement could affect 2 million vehicles

Late last week, GM admitted that three of its large SUVs fuel economy window stickers did not match their actual efficiency ratings, and so the vehicles couldn't be sold. The stickers on the 2016 Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave said their ratings were one to two miles per gallon better than they should have been. Officially, the number of affected vehicles sits at about 60,000. But Consumer Reports makes a good point: what's up with all of the previous model year SUVs that are basically the same vehicle? To wit: the 2016 model year vehicles are not substantially different than the 2015 or the 2014, or even going all the way back to 2007. On the EPA's fuel economy website, all of these older models will "have better stated fuel economy numbers than the new vehicles in GM's dealerships," Consumer Reports noted. CR's best point, and the one that makes the 60,000 number potentially grow to 2 million if all of the vehicles built on this platform are affected, is that "[i]t seems unlikely that the company would change the powertrain on these carryover models so late in their model cycles in a way that would cause a dramatic, negative impact on fuel economy." GM says that earlier model year SUVs are not affected and the EPA did not respond to CR's question about the potential for more discrepancies. We've seen automakers reverse course before, so if GM has to come out with a mea culpa soon, don't be surprised. GM is rushing corrected stickers to dealers so that the SUVs can be sold again, but a fix for the already-sold vehicles could be trickier to solve. Related Video: Related Gallery 2013 GMC Acadia View 16 Photos News Source: Consumer Reports Government/Legal Green Buick Chevrolet GMC Fuel Efficiency mpg gmc acadia chevy traverse

Next-gen Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra may use carbon fiber

It's been generally accepted that the next generation of full-size GM trucks will use some sort of strong, lightweight material for the beds while retaining steel for the cab. While aluminum seems like the most obvious choice, according to Automotive News, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra will incorporate both aluminum and carbon fiber in their beds. The publication cites sources from within GM, though it seems the introduction of this comparatively exotic material mix is still a few years off. While carbon fiber is both stronger and lighter than steel and aluminum, it takes significantly more time and money to produce, essentially relegating the material to small-volume cars. The main benefit for trucks is the resulting reduction in weight to improve fuel economy without sacrificing the tough, rugged capabilities truck buyers expect. The Ford F-150 made the switch to aluminum for the 2015 model year and it's proved highly successful. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before the competition followed suit. Automotive News says that the next-gen trucks will launch with aluminum beds and that it will take a couple of years before we'll see any carbon fiber incorporated into the design. Even then, only look for the composite material on higher-trim models, with a trickle down to lower-spec trucks possible further in the future. In 2011, GM announced it was working with Japan-based Teijin Limited on a carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic. There's a good chance that material's introduction will be on trucks. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News Plants/Manufacturing Rumormill Chevrolet GM GMC Truck

2016 GMC Terrain refresh revealed

Posting its best-ever sales year in 2014, the GMC Terrain is hauling in sales, conquest buyers, and profits for the brand. GMC wants that to continue with its refresh for the 2016 model year, which sees the underlying formula left untouched under a raft of cosmetic and trim changes. There will be four trim levels: SL, SLE (SLE-1 and SLE-2), SLT, and Denali. They all get a front fascia with a lot more character, sculpted with chrome-outlined, C-shaped ornamentation, and all but the base SL version feature chrome accents on the grille. Flanking that, the headlights get new LED DRL signatures and the hood gets a power dome. The Denali gets new 19-inch alloys, models below it get new 18-inch wheel designs, and the sheetmetal color palette expands with the addition of White Frost Tricoat and Crimson Red Tintcoat. Beyond a revised center console, a mix of cabin offerings spice up the various trims. Premium cloth is the go-to for the SL and SLE, "Saddle Up" leather is an option on the SLT as well as an eight-way passenger seat, and a two-tone, dual-material Light Titanium and Jet Black interior is possible inside the Denali. Assistance features migrate down, with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert available on the Terrain SLE and SLT for the first time. Engine choices remain the 182-horsepower Ecotec 2.4-liter inline-four, and the 272-hp 3.6-liter V6. The press release below has more details, and we'll have more on it live from the show floor. GMC Introduces 2016 Terrain New appearance, features build on success in growing compact SUV segment NEW YORK, March 31, 2015 – Distinguished by a new, more contemporary front-end appearance, the 2016 GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali were introduced today, ahead of their public debut at the New York International Auto Show. The 2016 Terrain lineup features new front and rear fascias, new grille designs, a power dome hood, light-emitting diode (LED) daytime running lamps and additional updates. Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are offered on SLE and SLT models for the first time. "Terrain is a popular choice in the growing compact SUV segment, introducing drivers to GMC's professional grade design and features," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing.