Chicago 2008: GMC unwraps the Denali XT concept

Click the Denali XT for a high res gallery
GMC doesn't do concepts very often but their latest example was unveiled here at the Chicago Auto Show. The new Denali XT concept is primarily a styling exercise but it also highlights a lot of ideas for the future of the truck market. As new fuel economy regulations kick in the coming years, trucks will have to get smaller and lighter and a car based truck like this will likely become a viable option for drivers who chose pickups for personal use rather than as a work truck. Regardless of whether this particular vehicle turns up, the powertrain almost certainly will. Future GM trucks will very likely use a smaller displacement V-8 like this 4.9L (or even smaller) with direct fuel injection. It many applications it will also be combined with the two-mode hybrid system as volumes increase and cost is reduced.
[Source: General Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
meme 2:17PM (2/07/2008)
Once again, oversized front end, tiny windows. Who on Earth is designing these things? How did this suddenly become the trend for next-gen cars? What sort of focus group would say that they want that in a car design?
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GoodCheer 4:14PM (2/07/2008)
meme, I think the idea is that if you can't see the road immediately in front of your grill, all that space (out to where you CAN see the road) must be filled with your penis.
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Chris Vitale 5:04PM (2/08/2008)
The huge front end is for pedestrian crash standards, as mentioned 4,000,000,000,000 times in various places.
I think it looks good.
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stevefazek 1:01AM (5/11/2008)
I hate the high belt line. My brother had a Dodge magnum it felt like a freaking coffin.
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