2010 Detroit Show: New GMC Acadia Denali

The 2011 GMC Acadia Denali made its first public outing at this week's Detroit motor show. Scheduled to arrive in GMC's dealerships in the third quarter of the year, the Denali treatment adds new features and unique styling cues to the firm's crossover model that can seat up to eight passengers.

The exterior package adds a chrome honeycomb grille, 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels, unique lower front and rear fascias, body colored cladding, rocker moldings and fender flares along with dual chrome exhaust tips and chrome accents.

Inside, the Denali model comes with all the bells and whistles including but not limited to, perforated leather seats with matching leather door panel trim, head-up display, chrome, lighted sill plates with the Denali logo, Dual SkyScape sunroof system, with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear section, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts, navi, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a tri-zone automatic climate control.

There are no changes under the hood as the Denali model is powered by the same 288HP 3.6-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission as the other Acadia models.

GMC Granite Concept: Scion xB-Sized Crossover Breaks Cover in Detroit

The annual auto show that kicked off in Detroit today saw the world debut of the GMC Granite Concept, a small crossover proposal with swing-out back doors aimed at a new generation of young buyers who would never give the brand's larger SUV's a second look.

Measuring 161.3-inch (4,097 mm) in length, 70.3-inch (1,786 mm) in width and 60.5-inch (1,536 mm) height with a wheelbase of 103.6-inch (2,631 mm), the Granite is roughly the same size as the Toyota group's 'boxy' Scion xB.

Even though GM did not say what front-wheel drive platform was used for the concept, the wheelbase length suggests it's based on the Chevy Cruze.

Power for the Granite concept comes from GM's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot that's linked to a six-speed transmission.

The boxy-shaped GMC concept gets four doors, the rear hinged at the back. There's no pillar between the front and rear doors, supposedly making the Granite easier to enter, exit and load.

The design of the vehicle's cabin is said to have been inspired by the design of aircraft-type mechanical instruments and precision tools.

Highlights include the reconfigurable interior as the front passenger and right rear seats can flip up and fold in toward the center console, creating a long, unobstructed storage space while the Granit's cargo area features numerous compartments to store items.

GM declined to say whether it is planning to introduce a production version of the Granite.

GMC Teases Scion xB-Sized Urban Utility Concept Before Detroit Show

General Motors has published two teaser photos of the GMC-branded Urban Utility Concept ahead of its world premiere at next week's 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The firm describes the crossover as "a new breed of truck that's as efficient as it is chic, innovative as it is functional" noting that GMC's goal was "to create the next generation of urban mobility, fusing a flexible, functional social space with an urban-box design that's equally at home at the cabin or the club."

One of the pictures released by GM shows an outline of the Urban Utility Concept and compares it with GMC's larger Terrain and the Scion xB. As you can see, GMC's concept model is roughly the same size as the xB.

But that's about all we have on the concept model. More to come next week - unless someone spills the beans earlier, that is.

Link: GM Lab

GM Reportedly Unveiled Several New Models at Pre-Show Event Including 2011 Buick Regal GS and 2011 Chevy Malibu Facelift and Orlando Crossover

A news report from the CanadianDriver claims General Motors gave the members of the press a sneak peak of all the new models that the company is planning to reveal at next month's 2010 Detroit motorshow. Needless to say, no pictures or videos were allowed at the pre-show event that is said to have taken place in downtown Detroit last Wednesday, but here are the cars that were allegedly revealed to the media.

Starting with Buick, the reports says that GM showed a high performance version of the recently revealed 2011 Regal sedan based on the Opel Insignia OPC. If true, we're assuming that the Audi S4-rivalling sports sedan will be called the Buick Regal GS and that it will carry over the OPC's 325HP turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive system.

Moving on to Chevrolet, GM's bestselling brand is said to have unveiled an array of new models for 2010 including the production version of the Camaro Convertible that gets a retractable softop, the redesigned Aveo subcompact, the new Spark mini, the Orlando crossover which was shown in concept form at last year's Paris motor show and surprise, surprise, a heavily facelifted Malibu.

The news report says that the Orlando seven-seater compact crossover, which uses a modified version of the Cruze's platform, has remained close to the concept while the 2011 Malibu sedan is claimed to feature a more sculptured body work, crisper edges and pronounced wheel arches.

Finally, GM is said to have taken the wraps off GMC's version of the Chevrolet Orlando called the Granite - though it is not clear if this is a production or a concept model.

Since General Motors has not made any official announcements, there's no way we can corroborate the report, but with the Detroit show just around the corner, we gather that it won't be long before we get the official word.

Via: Canadiandriver

2011 GMC Acadia Receives the Denali Treatment, Sales Start Next Summer

General Motor swiped the covers off the 2011 GMC Acadia Denali in Detroit today. Scheduled to go on sale in the third quarter of 2010, the Denali treatment adds a number of unique design, comfort and convenience features to the full-size crossover. The Acadia Denali will be available in both front- and all-wheel drive models, as well as seven- and eight-passenger configurations, all powered by GM's 288HP 3.6-liter direct injected V6 that delivers an EPA highway rating of 24 mpg on the FWD models.

"The GMC Denali models have come to stand for luxury and exclusivity, and that's just what customers will get in the new Acadia Denali," said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. "The decision to develop an Acadia Denali was made quickly within the new GM in response to customer and dealer demand for a Denali version ever since the launch and success of the Acadia."

So, what does the Denali treatment mean for the Acadia? Well, first of all, the crossover gets a mono-color exterior with buyers given the option of five different shades: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat.

Special design cues on the exterior include a signature chrome honeycomb grille, unique lower front and rear fascias, high-intensity discharge headlamps, body-color lower cladding, rocker moldings, rear fascia and fender flares, unique body-side moldings with chrome accents and Denali badges.

Further distinction comes the dual chrome exhaust tips and 20-inch, two-tone chrome-clad wheels.

Inside, the Acadia Denali is distinguished by several features and standard options such as the perforated leather seats with matching leather door panel trim, the complementary wood grain finish on the instrument panel and center stack, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts, lighted sill plates, Dual SkyScape sunroof system, head-up display (HUD) system and enhanced accent lighting in the footwells.

Pricing for the 2011 GMC Acadia Denali is expected to be released closer to its launch date.