Feeling the pinch of high gas prices on truck and SUV sales, GM has announced new, higher-mileage variants of its 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks and the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs in a move the automaker claims will boost fuel economy by more than five percent.
Like the modified Chevrolet Cobalt we saw in April, the new versions of the trucks and utes will be designated “XFE” models, which stands for “extra fuel economy.” The modifications will help the XFE vehicles achieve EPA ratings of 15 mpg city and 21 highway, compared with 14/20 for non-XFE models.
Both truck and SUV models receive a new 3.08:1 final-drive ratio, lowered suspension to improve aerodynamics, and aluminum lower control arms and wheels to reduce weight. All will ride on special low-rolling-resistance tires that can be inflated to higher pressures. The Silverado and Sierra also receive an extended front air dam and a soft tonneau cover to improve aerodynamics. They’re all minor changes, and so is the fuel savings.
Towing capacity also improves on the Silverado and Sierra, from 6600 pounds to 7000 pounds. Towing for the Tahoe and Yukon is unchanged.
The XFE package will be available only on two-wheel-drive models equipped with GM’s 5.3-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 320 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque in the Tahoe and Yukon, and 315 hp and 338 lb-ft of torque in the Silverado and Sierra.
Production of XFE-equipped vehicles will begin this fall for the 2009 model year.
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