The 6.2L engine of the Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali is all-new, too, with advanced technologies and lightweight materials, including variable valve timing and an aluminum cylinder block, which helps the vehicles deliver outstanding, more efficient performance. The 6.2L engine is rated at contributing to the vehicle's uncompromising performance. It produces 380 horsepower (283 kW) and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm)*.

A new six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L80 RWD electronically controlled automatic transmissions backs the 6.2L engine. The six-speed automatic has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio - including two overdrive gears - that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Also, the 6L80 has a "tap up/tap down" capability that allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts with a button on the column shifter.


Safety and security

The '07 Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali are designed to be among the industry's safest and most secure vehicles, with a 360-degree perimeter safety system of occupant protection and crash avoidance technologies. This comprehensive system enabled the short-wheelbase Yukon Denali to achieve 5-star frontal crash ratings for the driver and right front passenger in government crash tests. The 5-star rating is the highest safety rating given by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

New features include head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows and front-seat safety belt pretensioners that are linked to the vehicle's sensing system to provide segment-exclusive deployment in rear-end crashes, in addition to frontal crashes. These features are integrated into a stronger vehicle structure that is also designed for improved compatibility with other vehicles.

The head curtain side air bags include design features that provide increased rollover protection and occupant containment. Sensors located at the front of the vehicle, in the side doors, and within the occupant compartment provide increased and more immediate crash detection. The vehicle's sensing system provides segment-exclusive capability to deploy front seat safety belt pretensioners during certain rear-end collisions, enhancing the belt system's ability to hold the occupants firmly in place.

The head curtain side air bag system incorporates one of the segment's first rollover indication sensors, which is located on the vehicle's center tunnel in the occupant compartment. The sensor monitors the vehicle's accelerations and roll rate. If these signals indicate an impending rollover, the roof-mounted head curtain side air bags deploy to provide an extra measure of occupant protection and containment. The head curtain side air bags stay inflated longer than airbags developed only for side impacts because rollover incidents can last longer. The deployment duration and other design features of the rollover capable air bags combine to provide increased occupant protection and the ability to help keep occupants inside the vehicle.

Crash avoidance is bolstered through enhanced design and driver control dynamics, such as wider front and rear tracks, as well as more responsive suspensions - including a new coil-over-shock front suspension design and new rack-and-pinion steering. The vehicles are built on a stronger and stiffer, fully boxed frame that contributes to enhanced crash energy management. The front frame section has been designed to optimize crush progression resulting in improved energy absorption efficiency. The improved crush performance, enabled by hydroformed frame rails and efficient chassis component packaging, also comprehends design provisions for improved vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a frontal impact with a smaller vehicle.

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