‘ee 42 - Friday, December 11, 1998 — North Shore News ig beanie { drive LAST Spring, GMC introduced an upscale version of the Yuken full-sized sport utility vehicle called thz Denali. With standard teatures like leather upholstery, Zebrano wood trim, premium AM/FM/CD /cassette Bose stereo, tront and rear heated seats, frone and rear air-condi- doning, and chromed alloy wheels, the Denali is a hybrid lusury vehicle and 4X4 — one ofa growing number of sumpruousty-equipped SUV's to come to market. The “lusuritication” of the sport uriliry segment is noth- ing new, Tt began in the sixties and seventies with the Jeep Wagoneer and Range Rover, bue it wasn't until the eighties and nineties thar the segment really took off. Upscale ver- sions of the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery and Toyota Land Cruiser were joined more recendy by the Mercedes-Benz ML320/430, Lexus RXN3O00, Lexus LX470, GMC Envoy, Lincoln Navigator, and coming this fall, rhe Cadillac Escalade. Even BMW and Porsche have plans to introduced SUV's. The Denali is a full-size, four-door, five-passenger SUV based on the GMC Yukon /Chevrolet Tahoe, both of which were intro- duced in 1995, The Yukon and Tahoe are essentially shorter versions of the Suburban, and afl are based on the 1989 GM full-size pickup truck chassis, GMs pickups were redesigned for 1999, and the Yukon /Tahoc/Suburban are expected to be redesigned next vear. The 1999 Penali is pow- ered by GM’s venerable pushrod 5.7-litre V8 engine which has 255 horsepower and substantial 330 Ibs.-ft. of torque at 2,800 p.m. Its torquey V8 engine and strong frame are ideal for towing, and the Denali is specially- equipped for th:s purpose, egant sp INTRODUCED in the Spring of 1998 as a 1999 model, the GMC Yukon Nenali is a Juxury sport utility vehicle with features such as leather upholstery, wood trim and a premium Bose stereo system. Standard features include a four-speed automatic crans- mission with a transmission oil cooler, an extra capacity engine oil cooler, and a weight distributing trailer hitch with eight-wire lead. Towing capacity is a hefty 2,950 kilograms (6,500 ths.) GMs AutoTrac 4654) transfer casi andard on the Denali. [¢ gives the driver four options: nwo-wheel-drive (rear-wheel- drive), four-wheel- drive High, four-wheet-drive Low gear, or full-time four- wheel-drive. The latter aute- matically sends engine power to the wheels with the most traction, and allows the Denali to be driven on dry or slippery roads without harming the 4WD hardware. The differences between the Denali and the Yukon SLE/SLT models are primari- ly appearance and equipment levels. The Denali has one- picce headlamps with integrat- ed turn signals, a large open- mouthed grille, unique mono- chrome colour scheme, body- coloured bumpers and twin fog lamps. It also has standard cunning boards, roof rack, special body mouldings, and big 263/70R-16 inch touring radials on chromed six-spoke alloy wheels, The Denali’s interior is lusuriously-cquipped. Standard teatures include leather upholstery with heat- able cushions and backrests tor four seating positions, six- way power driver and passen- ger seats, a centre folding armrest with ovo cupholders and tissue box, 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks, and adjustable head restraints for Base price: $55,800 Price as tested: $56,795 Type: four-door, five- or six-passenger full- size sport utility Layout: longitudinal front engine /2WD/SWD Engine: 5.7-litre OHV V8 Horsepower: 255 @ 4600 r.p.m. 1999 Saturns. The kinder, gentler wa four passengers. An overhead console includes reading lamps, sunglasses storage, and rear air-conditioning /heater controls, and a night dimming rearview mirror has a built-in compass, The premium: Bose stereo has a singiy CD plaver anda six-dise CD changer in the center consol:, six Bose Acoustimass speakers, and rear audio controls with rwo head- phone jacks. A Homelink three-channel transmitter for garage and house lights is standard. The Denali also inchides all the standard power-operated features, such Technical data as windows, door locks, and ronote keyless entry. On the road, the Denali feels exactly dike ir is: big and heavy. However, it’s not pon- derous — the ride and han- dling are excellent for a 2,425 kg (5,340 Ibs.) vehicle, The Denali is quieter than you might expeet for a full-size SUV, and it's very easy to drive. Due to its height and large windows, outward visi- bility is excellent. Frone and rear headroom and legroom are generous and the rear cargo area is large, made big- ger by tolding down the rear seats. Tires: P245/75R-16 Curb weight: 2,425 kg (5,340 Ibs.) Wheeitbase: 2,985 mm (117.5 in.) Cargo volume: 1,894 litres (66.9 cu. ft.) Fuel consumption: City — 18.1 1/100 km (16 m.p.g.); Hwy — 13.2 1/100 kin (21 m.p.g.) Warranty: three years/60,000 km “get out of my way, D Fuel consumption is poor, averaging 15.7 1/100 km (19 n.p.g.), and a visit to the gas station to fill ics 114 litre fuel tank will cost you about ovice as much as a typical family sedan. However, that’s part of the price paid for owning a large, luxurious, roomy vehicle that’s equally at home on or off the pavement. The Denali goes for $55,800 plus an S895 destina- tion charge. Everything's stan- dard except an electric rear liftglass release, and an interior package that includes special floor and roof consoles, fold- ing armrests, power lumbar for the front seats, and the OnStar satellite mobile com- municatio stem, Competitors for the Denali include well-equipped versions of the Ford Expedition the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX470, and the upcoming Cadillac Escalade which is based on the Denali bur which will probably be more expensive. ay to say ZERO DOWN The payments shown here are based on the MSRPs for our brand-spankin’ - $254 imo 96 rae. lease new 1999 Saturn SCL. They include transportation, retailer prep and even a full tank of gas so you won't have to walk to the station with one of those containers. But some things are exera, like caxes (sorry), license and insur- ance. These lease payments are based on a low km lease of 60,000 km - which is pretty far — over 3 years, with a charge of 12¢ per km over that amount. This offer applies to customers with approved credit. www saturncan ada com “ $16,623 price includes freight & pdi. 1999 Saturn SC1 Complete with: AAUEM stees casete © adjustable steering column splis-fulding rear sear Ve] MORREY SATURN SAAB ISUZU 294-1831 SATRN. 4451 Lougheed Hwy at Willingdon, Burnaby