GM debuts fuel-saving XFE versions of Silverado/Sierra and Tahoe/Yukon
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Chevy Tahoe XFE
Remember earlier in the year when Chevy quietly added the 36-mpg XFE model to its Cobalt lineup? XFE stands for "Xtra Fuel Economy" (should we tell them they spelled "Extra" wrong?) and means these vehicles have been equipped with some easy fuel-saving technologies to eek out as many miles per gallon as possible. GM announced today that the Cobalt XFE will be joined by XFE versions of the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon for the 2009 model year.
The General already offers hybrid versions of its full-size SUVs, which are also joined by hybrid versions of its half-ton trucks for 2009, but the XFE models will continue to be powered by a flex-fuel version of the company's 5.3L gasser V8. It produces 320 hp/340lb-ft in the Tahoe and Yukon, and 315 hp/338 lb-ft in the Tahoe and Yukon. All are rear-wheel-drive only and mated to GM's 6L80 six-speed auto with a fuel-saving 3.08 ratio rear axle. In order to maximize fuel economy, all four of these new XFE models get low rolling resistance tires, aluminum wheels, an aluminum spare wheel, aluminum lower control arms and a lowered suspension with revised tuning. In addition, the Silverado and Sierra also get a new front lower air dam and soft tonneau cover that improve their aerodynamics.
What does it all add up to? 1 mpg. All four standard vehicles were rated at 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway, while their XFE counterparts bump those numbers to 15 city/21 highway. The gains are certainly minimal and we're not sure yet what sort of price premium XFE models will demand, but we give GM credit for at least reacting to the current shift in consumer tastes so quickly. We would have preferred, however, that it had just made these fuel-saving changes standard equipment rather than a separate model.
Gallery: 2009 Chevy Tahoe XFE
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE
GM Full-Size Pickups And SUVs Deliver Better Fuel Economy And Same Great Capabilities With New 'XFE' Models
- EPA-rated fuel economy increases to 15 city and 21 highway
- Silverado and Sierra have the best aerodynamics in the class
- Towing capacity on Silverado and Sierra increases to 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg)
- 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid Delivers 25-Percent Improved Fuel Economy With All Of GMC's Professional Grade Capability
- 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid Delivers 25-Percent Improved Fuel Economy And Delivers Chevy's Rugged Capability
DETROIT – General Motors is building on the segment-leading fuel economy of its full-size pickups and SUVs with new XFE models of the 2009 Chevy Silverado, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra and GMC Yukon. The vehicles use a combination of mechanical, aerodynamic and mass-reducing enhancements to deliver a 5-percent increase in EPA-estimated highway fuel economy and more than 7-percent improved mileage in city driving.
The aero enhancements make Silverado XFE and Sierra XFE models the most aerodynamic full-size pickups in the industry, with a "Best in Class" 0.412 coefficient of drag (cd). The pickups join the Tahoe Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid as the most aerodynamic full-size SUVs at 0.349 (cd).
The new XFE – Xtra Fuel Economy – models reflect GM's quick adaptation to an evolving market that remains a very important segment. They are available on 2WD vehicles equipped with the 5.3L V-8 and six-speed transmission. They achieve 15 city and 21 highway mileage ratings versus comparable non-XFE models' 14/20 ratings. Most importantly, the increased efficiency does not come at the expense of capability. Towing ratings for the Tahoe and Yukon are unchanged, while the Silverado and Sierra increase from 6,600 pounds (2,994 kg) to 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg) due to the new, six-speed transmission and high-capacity cooling package.
"We are pulling out all the stops to deliver a more efficient package for customers who need the capability of full-size pickups and SUVs and want the very best fuel economy," said Gary White, GM North America vice president and vehicle line executive for full-size trucks. "Our pickups and SUVs are already the fuel economy leaders of their respective segments, but our engineers knew greater efficiency was achievable. We fast-tracked the XFE models to get them into dealer showrooms as quickly as possible."
All models carry the XFE name badge and are offered in the LT trim for Silverado and LS and LT trims for Tahoe. Sierra XFE comes with SLE trim and Yukon XFE is offered with SLE and SLT trim. Most regular-production options for all models are available. Silverado XFE and Sierra XFE are offered in 2wd crew cab body styles only. Production begins this fall.
"In addition to the XFE models, GM already offers hybrid versions of the Tahoe and Yukon that achieve up to a 50-percent improvement in city fuel economy and coming in the first half of 2009 are the Silverado and Sierra Hybrids," said White. "These hybrid pickups offer up to 25 percent overall increased fuel economy and greater than 40-percent improved mileage in city driving."
XFE efficiencies
GM's more efficient full-size pickups and SUVs are powered by a 5.3L FlexFuel V-8 (LC9) engine that's built with a mass-reducing aluminum cylinder block and heads. It is rated at 320 horsepower (238 kW)* and 340 lb.-ft. of torque (461 Nm)* in Tahoe and Yukon and 315 hp/235 kW and 338 lb-ft/458 Nm in Silverado and Sierra. The engine is backed by a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission (with high-capacity cooling on Silverado and Sierra).
A rear axle equipped with a fuel-saving 3.08 ratio is also standard on all XFE models. Lightweight aluminum wheels and low rolling resistance tires (with higher tire pressure) also are included on all models.
Other unique content and features for Silverado XFE and Sierra XFE include:
Soft tonneau cover (improves aerodynamics)
Extended front lower air dam (improves aerodynamics)
Lowered suspension and revised chassis tuning (improve aerodynamics)
Aluminum lower control arms (reduce mass)
Aluminum spare wheel (reduces mass)
Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels (reduce mass)
Automatic locking rear differential
Trailering package
Low rolling resistance tires
Other unique content and features for Tahoe XFE and Yukon XFE include:
Lowered suspension and revised chassis tuning (improve aerodynamics)
Aluminum lower control arms (reduce mass)
Aluminum spare wheel (reduces mass)
Eighteen-inch aluminum wheels (reduce mass)
Automatic locking rear differential
Trailering package
Low rolling resistance tires
The new XFE models reinforce GM's commitment to full-size truck leadership, which continue to the industry's best and deliver the fuel economy, capability, quality and choice that are important to customers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Jim 12:36AM (8/12/2008)
"We would have preferred, however, that it had just made these fuel-saving changes standard equipment rather than a separate model."
Here's the problem- they do that, then people bitch about the price increase.
Reply
Razpez 8:34AM (8/12/2008)
WAIT,WAIT,WAIT
Are you telling me that it is possible to make MORE efficient cars and not go out of business?
WOW
d_x 11:17PM (8/12/2008)
Where is the source for this price increase talk?
Who's to say this isn't going to be a cookie cutter package where the only option is color?
dodgeviper88 12:38AM (8/12/2008)
Well they launch crappy versions first so when they come out another less crappy version it'll look good as it is 'improved'.
Reply
knifetramp 4:52AM (8/12/2008)
"Crappy version"?? You must not own one, otherwise you wouldn't make such an uninformed comment. I own a '08 Tahoe and absolutely love it.
Haters like you are so amusing.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:39AM (8/12/2008)
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/21/maybe-you-should-think-in-gallons-per-mile-instead-of-mpg
A 7% increase in city mileage is almost as much as the 10% the Malibu gained this year by having a 4-banger with a 6-speed. So it's not bad.
Why isn't the new Malibu model considered an XFE?
Reply
Torrent 12:48AM (8/12/2008)
Well the Malibu already has a hybrid that good enough. When's the last time you saw a 3500 pound sedan get 34 MPG?
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For the Tahoe/Sierra/Yukon/Silverado XFE's why get a hybrid, then? I bet it costs less, too.
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HotRodzNKustoms 12:54AM (8/12/2008)
XFE is what happens when GM sacrifices some driving dynamics in he name of fuel economy with a remapped ECU which sacrifices overall power and throttle response, low rolling resistance tires which sacrifices grip, and in this case lowered ride height sacrificing epic SUV hoonage.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:00AM (8/12/2008)
HotRodz:
I think you're onto something. The Malibu didn't sacrifice anything (except purchase price), so it isn't really an XFE.
Also note in the case of these trucks, they've put on a numerically lower rear end. This can make a significant difference in MPG. I wouldn't be surprised to hear this happened on the Cobalt too.
I cannot comprehend why they aren't bringing the hybrid pickup trucks earlier than 2009. The market for SUVs may be soft, but trucks are still selling, as evidenced by the F-150 regaining top spot last month. And the contractor-types who buy trucks would use them enough to make the fuel economy difference add up a lot quicker than the rest of us.
SeattleJeremy 3:21AM (8/12/2008)
HotRodzNKustoms, I don't see how adding lots of aluminum and reworking the ECU to be more frugal can ruin the driving dynamics. In many automotive circles "adding lightness" is a key for all around performance.
Dave 5:03AM (8/12/2008)
"I don't see how adding lots of aluminum and reworking the ECU to be more frugal can ruin the driving dynamics. In many automotive circles "adding lightness" is a key for all around performance. "
Low rolling resistance tires generally lead to longer stopping distance and weaker lateral grip.
montoym 7:14PM (8/12/2008)
Would be interesting to see what a Malibu XFE would bring to the table. As it stands now, the 4cyl/6spd combo nets 22/33 which is a 3mpg gain over the 4spd version(city mileage stays the same). The Malibu hybrid is not far ahead at 26/34 with most of the increase(expectedly) coming from the city figures.
As a comparison, the Cobalt XFE achieves 25/37, not terribly higher than the Malibu Hybrid. If the Malibu 4cyl/6spd were to take on some of the XFE modifications, I'd expect mileage that possibly eclipses the hybrid(and gets dangerously close to the Cobalt). Add those same changes to the Hybrid and it could possibly close in on 40mpg hwy(especially if the hybrid can get a 6spd in place of its current 4spd).
I expect the XFE terminology and mods to make their way through virtually every GM model and that's good.
But, I'd still prefer to stick with stickier(safer) tires and a more responsive powertrain at the expense of a few MPGs. But, it's nice to see the options out there for consumers.
d_x 11:21PM (8/12/2008)
I own a Cobalt XFE as my daily driver, and for a couple days I was given a standard Cobalt (stupid wheel cover was rattling, should have went with the alloys...) and the difference was not noticeable, to me at least. I'm not a performance guy...or a tuner guy...I'm just Joe-driver.
Now...I had gone from a 94 Escort with 88HP and a 5 speed, to the 148HP 5 Speed Cobalt...which is a decent jump in performance, but in my driving...there was no difference in the feel of a Non-XFE Cobalt...to the XFE.
tankd0g 12:48AM (8/12/2008)
Keep beating those dead horses.
Reply
espo19047 12:56PM (8/12/2008)
These "dead horses" already get the best milage in their class. The constant GM bashing is getting boring. It is the lazy way out to be a follower and trash things you no nothing about...
tankd0g 1:05PM (8/12/2008)
So what? You think increasing the milage of these things 1 or 2 mpg is going to save the sinking ship that is full size SUV sales?
why not the LS2LS7? 2:19PM (8/12/2008)
Full size SUV sales will never completely disappear. So GM is fighting to get as high a percentage of the sales that remain as is possible.
Additionally, you may not have noticed that this article also covers their full-sized pickup trucks, which are still selling (indeed the F-150 is #1 again last month).
GM was smart to cancel the upcoming redo of their full-sized SUVs. That's a lot of money to put in to something that isn't selling well anymore. But doing small things like bringing parts off the hybrid that you already made to the regular SUVs and increasing mpg is a good way to increase sales without making a huge investment.
tankd0g 2:25PM (8/12/2008)
Oil fell $34 a barrel this month, I'm sure more than a few truck buyers were foolish enough to think that would last. I hope those hybrid drive trains don't actually cost GM much and that high price tag is just huge markup. Otherwise putting more volume out there isn't really helping GM at all, especially when warranty and recalls are factored in.
dac 12:50AM (8/12/2008)
"It produces 320 hp/340lb-ft in the Tahoe and Yukon, and 315 hp/338 lb-ft in the Tahoe and Yukon."
Typo?
Reply
Kevin 8:18AM (8/12/2008)
Yeah. One or the other should be Sierra/Silverado.