From GM...

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)


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.





>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

I'm not really impressed with these XFE fullsizes. If I keep my foot out of it I can get about 16 city and I have an EC 4x4

^(YOU) may "average" 16mpg, great. EPA "averages" 15 city and 21 highway, chances are if these XFEs were given to you, you'll will get 3-4 more then what the EA rates them.

My only thing here is, GM should just incorporate all the Hybrid trucks"s features... ie light weight seats, aluminum exterior panels, more aero goodies, etc to maximize efficiency. I guess GM does not want to infringe on Hybrid truck selling point.




>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

gm should get their heads out of their asses and stop producing these ridiculously oversized vehicles. if people want to bitch about gas prices they better not be driving a tricked out tahoe or suburban or yukon XL. im tired of the whole MPG thing being less than HALF of what i can get when im teaching my car how far the gas pedal reaches into the floorboard.

if they would get 20 and 25mpg imagine how much better off those people would be. 15 is just a halfass way of saying, we dont feel like doing anything different til we have to. so for now, here is 15mpg avg which was increased from 14. WOO! /rant.

I agree, new cars are simply too heavy. The lightest 1988 Chevrolet Silverado was 3600lbs while the lightest 2009 Silverado (The Work Truck with no options) is 4558lbs. That's almost 1000lbs extra. Yeah, there's more safety equipment and more standard stuff, but that doesn't explain the needlessly larger external dimensions. A 2009 has a 5 inch wider track, is 3 inches wider overall, is 9 inches taller and almost 10 inches longer, yet it still has the same standard 6.5 foot box as the '88. You'd think interior dimensions would at least be much better, but everything is only fractionally bigger, except for shoulder room which is increased by over a foot. But is better shoulder room worth crap fuel economy and the impossibility to park? It's ridiculous.

We need to make smaller, simpler trucks. It's better for everyone including us hot-rod guys, because how can you hot-rod such a gigantic pig of a truck? Defeats the purpose.

Redhotchevy2000 wrote:gm should get their heads out of their asses and stop producing these ridiculously oversized vehicles. if people want to bitch about gas prices they better not be driving a tricked out tahoe or suburban or yukon XL. im tired of the whole MPG thing being less than HALF of what i can get when im teaching my car how far the gas pedal reaches into the floorboard.

if they would get 20 and 25mpg imagine how much better off those people would be. 15 is just a halfass way of saying, we dont feel like doing anything different til we have to. so for now, here is 15mpg avg which was increased from 14. WOO! /rant.

What exactly is your point?

It seems pretty simple to me. If you don't want something that gets 15mpg, then don't buy something that gets 15mpg. Just because they build it, doesn't mean you have to buy one.







**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**

15 EPA = anyuwhere from a varying 16 to 20 mpg. NOT bad at all in my opinion. I bet you could also push this thing into the mid 20's for its highway EPA rating in the real world.



My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"

I get 19hwy in mine and I do a lot of hwy driving so I'm pleased. most of my friends have cars that are getting 25ish so its not that big of a difference. 4cyl mode ftw!

Redhotchevy2000 wrote:gm should get their heads out of their asses and stop producing these ridiculously oversized vehicles. if people want to bitch about gas prices they better not be driving a tricked out tahoe or suburban or yukon XL. im tired of the whole MPG thing being less than HALF of what i can get when im teaching my car how far the gas pedal reaches into the floorboard.

if they would get 20 and 25mpg imagine how much better off those people would be. 15 is just a halfass way of saying, we dont feel like doing anything different til we have to. so for now, here is 15mpg avg which was increased from 14. WOO! /rant.

People that drive tricked out SUV's aren't the ones complaining about gas milage. I am looking for a new vehicle next year and plan on buying a used Avalanche or maybe an H3, plus I also drive 50 000kms a year. But you will never hear my complain about gas milage. I drive what I want to drive.

Would be interesting to see how they hold up.


If I drive it right I can get 17 MPG city out of a 96 K1500 4.3 V6, 5 speed. Could probably do similar with thesebut a 6 speed manual would be much more appreciated by a select group.

hmm...there are more silverados/sierras sold then F series pickups...definitely should stop making what keeps the company going...good idea!