2002 Gmc Yukon Xl 1500 Slt Sport Utility 4-door 5.3l on 2040-cars

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Hacker jury rigs Amazon Echo into voice-controlled remote start

A lot of automakers have smartphone apps to start, lock, or unlock a connected car. Some automakers will even let you do that with a smartwatch. Then, there's YouTube user Jryanishere, who decided to use Amazon's chatty Echo voice-controlled, internet-connected information thingy. Yes, we said thingy, because we aren't really sure how else to describe the Echo. While the Echo system has received a hearty ad campaign – featuring Alec Baldwin asking Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa, questions and ordering socks – we think this might be the first really useful thing we've seen it do. Using a MacBook, a Raspberry Pi, an Echo, an OBDLink plug-in, and his 4G LTE-equipped GMC, Jryanishere has basically made a voice-controlled remote-start system. Now, like so many voice-controlled things, this strikes us more of an extravagance than something that's functionally worthwhile. After all, the remote start on the a GMC keyfob isn't exactly rocket science. You can check out the Echo in action up top. Jryanishere gives a pretty thorough breakdown of how the setup works in the video above, but if you're at all into this sort of technological mischief, you'll want to watch (and check out the hilariously detailed blog explaining the job). Related Video:

GMC Hummer pickup and SUV previewed in video, set to be revealed in fall

GMC has just provided us with our first good look at the upcoming Hummer EV pickup and SUV. A video was posted online previewing the two models that also happens to feature LeBron James. From clay sculptures to prototypes in various levels of completeness, GM is allowing the world a sneak preview of what’s to come. A couple of the more revealing images come in silhouette photos of both the truck and SUV at the end of the video. The truck has a big four-door crew cab and an exceptionally small bed behind it. The angle from cab to bed is also notable. ItÂ’s not easy to see exactly whatÂ’s going on since itÂ’s shrouded in darkness, but when we saw the Hummer pickup, it was rocking sail panels that resemble the ones on the truck weÂ’re looking at. The truckÂ’s general shape is off-road oriented with squared-off, sharp lines tracing the entire silhouette. Its big, knobby tires and blocky wheels are clear indicators of what GM was aiming for with this electric pickup. As for the SUV, comparisons to the Ford Bronco four-door will be inevitable. If our eyes are picking up the scale of this photo correctly, though, the Hummer SUV appears to be a slightly larger vehicle than the four-door Bronco is. Although, the wheelbase for the SUV is shorter than that of the Hummer truck. ThatÂ’ll help it off-road. Those small bumpers and short overhangs along with the bumper cutouts should be hugely beneficial to approach and departure angles, as well. Hummer EV prototype View 6 Photos GMCÂ’s shots of the Hummer in the studio are equally as revealing. We can see what looks to be an intense front skid plate and two big tow hooks. In addition to the off-road gear, GMC has allowed a look at the frunk. The front “grille” is one piece with the hood of the truck, so the whole assembly pulls up. That makes for what appears to be a very easy-to-load front trunk compared to other EVs that force you to lift items up and over the front of the car. The whole removable roof assembly is exposed in this video, too. We can see the crossbars that the removable panels attach to and also what the truck looks like with the tops removed. The SUV appeared to have removable roof panels from our short glimpse of it in a studio awhile back. Other new details GM mentioned in the video include Adrenaline Mode, Crab Mode and Next-Gen Super Cruise. We donÂ’t know what Adrenaline Mode or Crab Mode do yet, but theyÂ’re certainly off-road modes that GM has designed specifically for this electric Hummer.

GMC boss wants a Jeep Wrangler rival

Challengers come and challengers go, but the Jeep Wrangler continues to push forward even after vehicles like the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the entire Hummer brand have been shut down. Now GMC reportedly wants to take a stab at the quintessential Jeep, as well.
The news comes directly from Buick-GMC vice president Duncan Aldred, speaking with our compatriots over at Edmunds. Although Aldred said there are no plans currently on the table to expand GMC's lineup beyond the current range, "there is plenty of room everywhere in the hierarchy."
That could include a rival to the Wrangler, as well as a flagship luxury SUV positioned above the current Yukon Denali (pictured above). Just when (or for that matter, if) such models might come into fruition remains a big question mark, but it's certainly interesting to see what GM's dedicated truck brand has on the drawing board.