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The new 2015 GMC Yukon Denali has gotten a new transmission that brings numerous benefits to the vehicle including but not limited to higher horsepower, better torque and improved highway fuel economy. The new transmission is fully automatic and features 8 gears.

Featured in the Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali the new Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission is connected to the vehicles' 6.2-liter EcoTec V8 engines and retires the older and less fuel efficient 6-speed automatic gearbox used until now in the Denali. Thanks to the new more advanced transmission the EPA highway mileage estimate for the two-wheel drive Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali increases to 22 mpg (10.7 l/100 km) while the EPA city mileage estimate for the four-wheel drive Yukon Denali rises to 15 mpg (15.7 l/100 km). The combination between the new 8-speed automatic transmission and the 6.2-liter V8 engine delivers a segment-leading 420 horsepower (309 kW) and 460 lb-ft (624 Nm) of torque along with highway fuel economy that can rival many other 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder engines in competitive makes.

The new 8L90 transmission increases comfort by offering smaller steps between gears that allow the engine to efficiently leverage its peak power bands. The wider gearing spread also allows the use of a lower 3.23:1 rear axle ratio, which reduces engine speeds and fuel consumption, especially during highway cruising. Moreover the shift controls and solenoids of the 8L90 are more responsive and provide quicker shift times. A new torque converter also delivers smoother performance at low speeds, especially when carrying heavy loads or pulling trailers. Tow ratings – up to 8,400 pounds (3,814 kg) for the Yukon Denali and 8,100 pounds (3,677 kg) for the Yukon XL Denali – are unaffected by the addition of the eight-speed transmission.

The new gearbox is not the only new thing that the two models provide. The 2015 GMC Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali feature other convenience and connectivity improvements such as:

  • A new hands-free power liftgate, which can be opened and closed by simply passing a foot beneath the rear bumper
  • A wireless charging surface for WPC (Qi) or PMA (Powermat) compatible mobile devices integrated into the design of the center console lid. A list of compatible devices is located at gmtotalconnect.com
  • OnStar with 4G LTE, which provides in-car data connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot capable of connecting up to seven devices at one time
  • An enhanced GMC Intellilink system, which provides incoming ‘Text Message Alerts' when paired to a compatible Bluetooth phone

Owners of 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL models can receive a tutorial on these new features through a new Yukon-specific application for tablet devices, which supplements the owner's manual. The new Yukon app will be available for both Apple iOS and Android devices.

The updated 2015 Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali models are priced from USD 64,965 and USD 67,665 respectively, and are now available at dealers.

Source: GMC