A Look into the future: 2008 GMC Denali XT Concept

The rear cargo area is wide, deep and flat, with no suspension or wheelhouse protrusions into the bedbox.

The Denali XT utilizes a Midgate (just like the Avalanche, Cadillac Ext, and Hummer H2) that can be lowered over the rear seats to extend the cargo-carrying capacity from inside the vehicle into the bed. The rear seats fold flat to provide a longer floor for carrying items such as skis, surfboards or wood from the home improvement store. A fixed rear window allowed engineers to retain the vehicle's structure, reducing mass and complexity.

The Denali XT has an estimated payload and towing capacity of 1,100 and 3,500 pounds, respectively, certainly good when compared to other compact pickup trucks, but does fall a little behind when compared to a midsize or SUT-type trucks.

Probably the most interesting aspect of the Denali XT, beyond the fact that it's the wildest SUT we've ever seen, is that new rear-wheel-drive two-mode hybrid transmission is paired with a smaller-displacement version of GM's small-block engine. The new V-8 4.9L E85-capable engine powers the Denali XT with an estimated 326 horsepower. Additionally, it uses direct-injection technology to produce the power of a larger engine, but consumes less fuel and produces lower emissions than a comparably-sized powertrain. Also, the functionality of GM's Active Fuel Management system has been expanded through the use of hybrid technologies, enhancing the cylinder-deactivating feature to further improve fuel efficiency. Additional powertrain technologies have been integrated here as well, including Active Thermal Management, which transfers thermal energy from one driveline component to another to improve efficiency; and a high-efficiency axle configuration, which fundamentally reduces the losses normally associated with conventional axle configurations.

Similarly to the Tahoe, Sierra, and Escalade 2-Mode Hybrid systems, the Denali XT's two-mode hybrid system is partnered with the 4.9L engine, using an electrically variable transmission for better city and highway fuel economy. In city driving, all-electric propulsion is used at low speed up to 30 mph, with the dual-mode, two-motor electric variable transmission working at highway speeds. Additionally, during towing or heavy-load carrying, a set of four fixed gears can be used.

Here's what GM says: "The specific characteristics of the Denali XT allowed the synergistic evolution of GM's small-block V-8 and two-mode hybrid beyond the recently introduced in GM two-mode hybrid products, such as the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Sierra Hybrid. The integration of the advanced internal combustion engine technologies and two-mode hybrid system on the Denali XT reinforces GMC's Professional Grade position as a brand that continues to exceed customer expectations."

Is this the next wave in pickup truck technology? No doubt there is some amazing technology here that will make it into a truck we'll be seeing in the next few years, but whether or not people are looking for pickup truck that's really not a pickup truck; or the reverse--are car sedan people really looking for their cars to do more truck things? This all remains to be seen. Certainly the Honda Ridgeline and Ford Explorer Sport Trac sells pretty well, but whether or not GM can succeed by bringing back the El Camino or Cabellero has to be considered a long-shot at best. If nothing else, seeing a Holden Ute in this country with a Corvette motor and optional 6-speed manual will be fun to romp around on our test track.