GMC Acadia

Infobox Automobile
name=GMC Acadia


manufacturer=General Motors
production=2006–present
assembly=Lansing Delta Township Assembly- Delta Township, Michigan
layout=Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
platform=GM Lambda platform
related= Buick Enclave
Saturn Outlook
Chevrolet Traverse
body_styles=4-door SUV
predecessor=GMC Envoy XL/XUV
GMC Safari
class=Full-size crossover SUV
engine=3.6 L "LY7" V6
transmission=6-speed 6T75 automatic
fuel_capacity=Convert|22|usgal|L impgal|1
wheelbase= Auto in|118.9|0
length= Auto in|201.1|0
width= Auto in|78.9|0
height= Auto in|72.8|0 The GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV from GM. The GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook share the new GM Lambda platform. The Acadia went on sale in the United States in December 2006, and in Canada in January, 2007. The Acadia replaces 3 of the 7/8-passenger vehicles on the Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealership network, the mid-size GMC Safari van, the long-wheelbase GMC Envoy XL/XUV, and the Pontiac Montana SV6 minivan for the USA Only. In recent months GM has also announced that the Lambda vehicles will replace the Buick Rainier, Buick Rendezvous and the Buick Terraza, and then subsequently the GMC Envoy and possibly the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, as a Chevrolet variant called the Traverse will go on sale sometime in the fall of 2008. [ [http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/chevy-traverse-to-join-gms-group-of-lambda-cuvs/ REPORT: Chevy Traverse to join GM's group of Lambda CUVs] ]

The Acadia augments GMC with an entry level truck-like SUV and is the first unibody vehicle from the marque. It is also GMC's first front-wheel drive passenger vehicle and GMC's first crossover SUV. While the Acadia will be the first front-wheel drive "passenger" vehicle under the GMC name, GMC produced a front-wheel drive motorhome in the 1970s. (See "GMC motorhome") The Acadia features seating for eight, generous interior space, and either front or all-wheel drive. With a 4,500 lb (2,042 kg) towing capacity, the Acadia slots between the Yukon and the Envoy. The Acadia is the mid-priced Lambda model between the Outlook and Enclave. The Acadia and Outlook had average durability ratings in Consumer Reports' surveys, but they recently dropped to below average.

uspension and chassis

The 2007 Acadia rides on a 118.9 inch (3020.7 mm) wheelbase and offers wide 67.28 inch (1709 mm) front/rear tracks that will offer a lower ride height. The suspension is independent front and rear, the front featuring a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar and aluminum knuckles. The rear suspension uses a new "H" Linked design that is more compact and should result in a better ride.

Steering in the Acadia is power-assisted rack-and-pinion on standard models, but an optional variable-effort system will be available as well. Putting power to the ground will be standard 18 inch wheels and tires, with optional 19 inch wheels. As with most modern GM vehicles, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard, and more standard safety features (not specified) are included as well.

Engines and transmissions

The Acadia uses GM's High Feature "LY7" V6 that was introduced in the Cadillac CTS. In the Acadia, the engine produces 275 hp (205 kW) and 251 lb-ft. of torque (340 Nm). The Acadia also uses the new 6T75 6-speed automatic, offering good city and highway fuel economy matched with brisk acceleration when needed. According to GMC, the 6T75 adds up to 8 percent improved performance and up to 4 percent improved fuel economy when compared with current front-wheel drive four-speed automatics offered in various GM models.

afety

A unibody construction helps lower center of gravity, compared to previous truck-based GM SUVs, reduces the risk of rollover accidents. Much of the Acadia's structure is reinforced with high-strength steel, including a steel cross-car beam welded across the floor between the B-pillars.

The Acadia has six different airbags equipped in the vehicle; two dual-stage front air bags for the driver and front passenger, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two head curtain side impact air bags that cover all three seating rows. Similar to the Volvo XC90, the Acadia will have a detection system on-board that will deploy various airbags if a rollover is detected.

Additionally, the Acadia has a standard OnStar system, now in its seventh generation. The new OnStar system now has a feature in which after a crash has been detected, OnStar will be notified so that they can automatically contact necessary emergency services.

Interior

The Acadia features available 3-row, 7 or 8-passenger seating. Inside, the Acadia features more contemporary trim than the Outlook, including chrome and satin nickel textures, and a wider variety of two-toned interior colors such as an Ebony and Light Titanium(grey) cloth upholstery, and a choice of either Ebony, Light Titanium(grey)or Brick(brown) leather upholstery. A heads-up display similar to those found in the Cadillac XLR, Pontiac Grand Prix, Cadillac STS and Chevrolet Corvette is one of the options exclusive to the Acadia thus far.

Wheels and tires

The 2008 Acadia boasts 19 inch cast aluminum wheels and Goodyear Eagle RS-A M+S P255/60R-19 108H tires with a high-pressure compact spare tire standard on the SLT2 model and optional on the SLT1. The SLE model has 18 inch painted aluminum wheels with P255/65R-18 tires. The SLT1 comes standard with 18 inch machined aluminum wheels.

ales

"The Wall Street Journal" noted that the GMC Acadia lagged sales of uplevel rival Acura MDX by only 47 units in February 2007. ["Wall Street Journal" March 6, 2007 "Picky Consumers Reward Brands With Strong Records"]

["R.L. Polk Retail Registrations 2006 - 2007.] The Acadia leads in sales right now, followed by the Saturn Outlook, and the Buick Enclave taking third in sales from the Lambda platform.

References

*
* [http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007-gmc-acadia-unveiled.html 2007 GMC Acadia] Official announcement on Leftlanenews.com (link no longer works)

Notes

External links

* [http://www.cheersandgears.com/ www.cheersandgears.com]
* [http://www.acadiaforum.net/ www.acadiaforum.net] The largest dedicated Acadia Forum on the web
* [http://www.gminsidenews.com/ www.gminsidenews.com]
* [http://www.gmcrossover.com/ www.gmcrossover.com]
* [http://www.gmc.com/acadia/acadia/index.jsp Official GMC Acadia site]