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Acura For 2001 |
By Carey Russ |
GMC is the professional truck specialist of General Motors. The 2001 model year sees plenty of new models, with little left unchanged. From the full-size Sierra Heavy Duty pickup, Savana van, and luxurious Yukon Denali sport-utility to the compact Sonoma pickup, there is a GMC vehicle for every truck need. And, the all-new 2002 Envoy mid-size SUV will debut in the first quarter of 2001.
Sierra
The first models of the current generation of the full-size Sierra pickup debuted in 1999, and GMC has been adding variations ever since. This year it concentrates on the heavy artillery with the introduction of the "Heavy Duty" three-quarter and one-ton line, designed for serious hauling and towing tasks. Two new engines - the Vortec 8100 "big block" V8 and the 6.6-liter "Duramax" turbodiesel - give the Sierra HD trucks plenty of muscle. Also new is the Sierra C3, a half-ton truck designed for on-road control and comfort. It features a distinctive appearance, luxury interior, all-wheel drive, and a torquey 6.0-liter V8.
Yukon / Yukon Denali
Completely redesigned last year, the full-size Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs have important new models for 2001. For luxury with muscle, the second generation of the Yukon Denali debuts. For the first time, an XL version is offered. They feature an upscale appearance, luxury interiors, and all-wheel drive. The 8.1-liter Vortec V8 is now offered in select Yukon XL models, making sure the SUV formerly known as GMC Suburban is still the king of the towing machines.
2002 Envoy
The name may have been used previously, for GMC's premium compact SUV, but when it reappears in the first quarter of 2001, Envoy will be a completely new vehicle. The mid-size Envoy will have a full complement of luxury features, truck-tough body-on-frame construction with carlike rigidity for a smooth ride, and an all-new 270-hp, 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine.
Sonoma
GMC's smallest pickup, the Sonoma, gets a versatile crew cab model in addition the existing regular and extended cab versions.
Savana
First there were luxury SUVs like the Yukon Denali. Then came luxury pickups, exemplified by the Sierra C3. What's left? Luxury full-size vans. Welcome to the Savana SLT. Other, more work-oriented versions continue, and the powerhouse 8.1-liter big-block V8 can be found in some.
GMC Specifications 2001 Sierra Heavy-Duty Pickup BODY STYLES Regular, extended, and crew cabs. Short or long cargo box ENGINE 6.0-liter gasoline V8 peak horsepower: 300 @ 4400 rpm peak torque, lb-ft: 360 @ 4000 rpm 8.1-liter gasoline V8 peak horsepower: 340 @ 4200 rpm peak torque, lb-ft: 455 @ 3200 rpm 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8 peak horsepower: 300 @ 3100 rpm peak torque, lb-ft: 520 @ 1800 rpm DRIVE TRAIN Front engine, rear or four-wheel drive 6.0 V8: 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6.6 and 8.1 V8: 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual CHASSIS & SUSPENSION Body-on-frame construction Front suspension: independent dual control arm Rear suspension: solid axle with leaf springs BRAKES Four-wheel antilock disc EPA ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY City / Highway: N/A Fuel tank: 26 - 50 gallons depending on configuration PAYLOAD 3321 - 5753 lbs. depending on configuration TOWING 9200 - 15,700 lbs. depending on configuration Yukon Denali & Denali XL ENGINE 6.0-liter V8 Peak horsepower: 320 @ 5000 rpm Peak torque, lb-ft: 365 @ 4000 rpm DRIVE TRAIN Front-engine, all-wheel drive 4 - speed automatic CHASSIS & SUSPENSION Body-on-frame construction Front suspension: independent dual control arm Rear suspension: solid axle with coil springs BRAKES 4-wheel antilock disc EPA ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY City / Highway: N/A Fuel tank: 32.5 gallons