#yukon

General Motors will debut its next generation of full-sized SUVs during the State Fair of Texas, which starts September 27 in Dallas.

Time topples regimes, ends companies and kills men. A lot can happen in a century, yet that much has passed since the first GMC truck debuted in New York. 

General Motors has done a commendable job differentiating GMC and Chevrolet even though they share many of the same designs. As proof, one could compare the Terrain to the Equinox or the Acadia to the Traverse and see they share the same underpinnings yet each has a distinctive look.

In a move to keep up with the high price of fuel, as well as deal with environmental concerns, GM has developed new XFE-models of some of its most popular trucks. The Xtra Fuel Economy (XFE) package will be offered on the 2009 Silverado, Tahoe, Sierra and Yukon trucks.

The significant alterations to the trucks, in terms of their mechanical makeup, weight and aerodynamics result in an EPA-estimated five percent increase in highway fuel economy and a more than seven percent increase in city fuel economy.

The trucks now achieve a 15/21 (city/highway) rating compared to the 14/20 rating for non-XFE models.

Importantly, the XFE models do not get a reduction in power. The XFE package is available on 2WD models equipped with the 5.3-liter V-8 with the six-speed transmission. On Silverado and Sierra models, the six-speed transmission gets a high-capacity cooling package to deliver a 7,000 lb towing capacity – up from the standard model’s 6,600-lb towing capacity. All XFE models come quipped with a fuel-saving 3.08 rear axle.

Other factors for the improved fuel-economy include lightweight wheels with low rolling resistance tires, lighter suspension components and improved aerodynamics.

A full list of all the unique XFE features is listed after the jump: