2009 GMC ACADIA POWERED BY A MORE EFFICIENT 3.6L V-6 WITH DIRECT INJECTION
06/09/2008
GMC
GMC's popular Acadia continues to win over customers seeking the spaciousness and capability of an SUV with a smooth ride and responsive handling of a crossover. Nearly 73,000 were sold in 2007 and sales increased more than 75 percent in the first quarter of 2008 - in a segment that was up only 9 percent over the first quarter in the previous year.
For 2009, Acadia receives an enhanced version of the 3.6L V-6 VVT engine that uses gasoline direct injection technology to help produce more power, greater fuel economy and increased towing capacity than the '08 model. The engine is paired with Acadia's fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission.
" Acadia is a perfect fit for many lifestyles," said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. "It has the room for everybody and their things, while delivering better fuel economy."
Acadia seats up to eight. It is offered in SLE and SLT trims, with SLT-1 and SLT-2 equipment packages available. All models are available in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. A comprehensive safety system includes six standard air bags and standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control and rollover mitigation technology.
Acadia 's body-frame integral structure enables lower entry/exit height for passengers. Despite the vehicle's SUV-like front-end height, the front door step-in height is only 18.9 inches (480 mm); the rear door step-in height is 19.8 inches (503 mm). Entry to the second- and third-row seats is eased with very wide rear doors and GM's exclusive Smart Slide second-row seat feature.
New for 2009
The Acadia's 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing is enhanced in '09 with direct injection technology that improves power output, fuel efficiency and towing capacity. Horsepower rises to an estimated 288 (215 kW), a 5-percent improvement over the 2008 model. Additional changes and new features for the '09 Acadia include:
OnStar 8.0 - The latest-generation OnStar system offers advanced features, including Turn-by-Turn Navigation and new, Destination Download that automatically downloads requested directions to the Acadia's navigation system
Bluetooth phone connectivity - Available with OnStar 8.0; it enables safer, hands-free calls
XM Satellite Radio with NavTraffic - Available with the standard XM Satellite Radio service, the new NavTraffic feature delivers real-time traffic advisements through the navigation system
Rearview camera system - Standard on the SLT-2 and available on SLE and SLT-2 models, customers can select this popular safety feature that can be ordered without the navigation system; it provides a remote view of the area directly behind the vehicle via a 3.5-inch screen inside the rearview mirror
Heated/cooled seats - Available on SLT-2 models, these perforated leather -trimmed front seats incorporate both heating and cooling features that increase comfort in all climates
New Acadia exterior colors - Quicksilver Metallic and Silver-Green Metallic are added to the palette, replacing Liquid Silver Metallic and Blue-Gold Crystal Metallic
Acadia design
The Acadia is a sleek, athletic crossover with carefully executed details, such as tight tolerances, a tailored wheel-to-body relationship, and a range of upscale colors and select bright trim, creating a strong and confident presence.
Exterior features include a bright grille surround that frames a prominent GMC emblem and headlamps that use projector beam technology to deliver bright, precise lighting. They are mounted in housings that have a crystal-clear appearance. High-intensity discharge lamps (HID) are also available.
The exterior is accented with fog lamps, polished aluminum roof rails and select bright work - including chrome door handles. Body-color, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals are standard on SLT-1, while power-folding mirrors with integrated turn signals and auto-dimming feature are standard on SLT-2.
The profile of the Acadia is sleek, with a sporty, tapered roofline. It is also aerodynamically efficient, with a coefficient of drag of just 0.344, which helps reduce wind noise and enhances fuel economy. Distinctive LED taillamps- housed in chrome-highlighted, multi-dimensional housings - a rear spoiler and large, chrome dual exhaust tips enhance the vehicle's sporty appearance, as do its large wheels and tires.
Eighteen-inch wheels and tires are standard and 19-inch wheels are available. Acadia's wheel/tire combinations are tailored to form a close, even relationship to the body; the wheels and tires fill the wheelhouses, delivering a confident and precise stance. Acadia engineers' careful selection of tire size and precise suspension tuning ensure the same tailored appearance on models equipped with either 18- or 19-inch wheels.
Interior refinement and amenities
Acadia 's open interior exudes refinement and attention to detail, with many thoughtful features designed into a finely crafted environment. A car-like "low and away" instrument panel enhances the feeling of openness in the front-row seats and provides a commanding outward view. The instrument panel and other interior elements feature high-quality, low-gloss materials and tight gap tolerances.
A selection of contemporary upscale trim and upholstery combinations enhances the refined feel of the Acadia's cabin. The seats feature structural enhancements that bolster comfort and support and the front seats receive larger headrests. The intuitively located controls have a high-quality tactile feel with metal-finish trim accents and enhancing driving comfort is a large, driver's footrest that is perfect for women's high heels.
Features that reinforce Acadia's refinement and complement passenger comfort include:
Heated outside mirrors that quickly de-fog or de-ice for improved visibility
The power liftgate opens and closes with the key fob, or with a button just inside the liftgate - or, from the front seat, with a switch in the center console
Extended-range remote vehicle start
SkyScape dual sunroof, featuring a larger, power-operated tilt-and-slide sunroof and rear skylight, which combine to provide an airy, open driving experience
Heated windshield washer fluid, which helps to quickly clear frost, ice and even bugs with a blast of heated washer fluid
Head-up display that projects instrument readouts and other features onto the windshield for easy, eyes-on-the-road reference
A DVD entertainment system offers rear-seat passengers a multimedia experience with a flip-down DVD screen, infrared headphones and individual controls
A Bose 5.1 Surround Sound audio system with optimally located speakers that provide big, clear and crisp sound throughout the vehicle
A DVD touch-screen navigation system that provides locations, directions and driving instructions via a large, easy-to-view LCD screen
Heated/cooled seats with new, perforated leather seating
XM Satellite Radio is standard on all models and, for 2009, is available with NavTraffic real-time traffic advising.
Seating and storage
Acadia offers three rows of seating that can be configured for seven or eight passengers, regardless of the trim level. The seating configurations include two front bucket seats, a 60/40-split second-row bench (three passengers) or two second-row captain's chairs (two passengers) and a 60/40-split third-row bench seat. Leather seats and second-row captain's chairs are standard on SLT-1 and SLT-2 trim levels. Generous storage space of 24.1 cu. ft. (682 liters) is available behind the third-row seat (with the cargo management removed).
The Acadia has more than two dozen places to store items. The standard front row center console features an armrest that slides back and forth for comfort and access to lower console storage. This front lower console is equipped with a pull-out tray that, when removed, reveals a deep space of more than 60 cubic inches for storing large items. The optional second-row console is paired with second-row captain's chairs and has a multitude of features, including two large storage compartments and two cupholders. When it's time to get it out of the way and load large cargo, the versatile console folds flat with the second-row seats.
GM's exclusive Smart Slide feature is standard on all second-row configurations, allowing quick and easy access to the third-row seating area. The second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward, effectively compressing the space occupied by the seat with the pull of a lever. The Smart Slide system also allows the second row to be positioned fore/aft. When adjusted rearward, the second-row seat provides more legroom for taller passengers; when adjusted forward, it provides more storage space or additional legroom for third-row passengers. Seating space is sufficient for adults in all positions.
Access to the third-row seat also is aided by Acadia's rear door width, which is wider than the doors on most other SUVs. It is enabled by the vehicle's long wheelbase. The rear door opening was maximized by reducing the space between the rear door and the leading edge of the door opening. Engineers were able to maximize the opening space while providing optimal chassis integrity for maximum occupant protection.
Along with comfort and ease of entry, Acadia's interior offers generous cargo room, including 115.9 cu. ft. (1,382 L) when the second- and third-row seats are folded flat and the cargo management removed. Additional storage is also available in a covered rear cargo convenience center behind the third row that allows items to be stored out of sight beneath the rear cargo floor.
Powertrain
Acadia's 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing is enhanced for '09 with direct injection technology that helps deliver more power while enhancing fuel economy and lowering emissions. Horsepower increases 5 percent, to 288 (215 kW) and torque increases to 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm).
With direct injection, fuel is sprayed directly into the engine cylinder where it is mixed with air. As the fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, the air and fuel mixture is cooled. This enables the use of a higher compression ratio in the combustion chamber, which improves engine performance and efficiency. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower, especially at normal cruising speeds, of a conventional port-injection combustion system. Also, the use of unique pistons with the direct injection system helps reduced cold-start emissions by up to 25 percent.
The 3.6L V-6 with direct injection is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine based on GM's global V-6 architecture. It was jointly developed at GM technical centers in Australia, Germany, Sweden and North America. In addition to direct injection technology, the engine uses full four-cam phasing, rapid data processing and torque-based engine management to optimize power, economy and emissions performance.
GM's Hydra-Matic 6T75 electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission backs the 3.6L V-6 VVT. Clutch-to-clutch operation allows for reduced complexity and compact packaging. It also offers the capability of driver shift control (DSC), allowing the driver to use tap-up/tap-down shifting to select the desired gear for specific road conditions, such as driving up a steep hill.
Intelligent all-wheel drive
Acadia 's available Intelligent AWD system enhances dry-road handling and provides increased traction on wet, snow and ice-covered roads. It actively manages the torque distribution between the front and rear axles, based on factors such as wheel speed, throttle and surface conditions. There is no driver intervention; the system automatically decides how much torque to apply and it automatically delivers torque to the wheels that have the best traction. The AWD system's tuning is revised to provide more rear torque bias during certain driving conditions.
Smooth, responsive ride and handling
Acadia rides on a long 118.9-inch (3,020.7 mm) wheelbase and wide 67.28-inch (1,709 mm) front/rear tracks - a combination that lowers the center of gravity and enables smooth, stable ride and handling. Sharp reflexes are also supported by independent front and rear suspensions. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar and aluminum knuckles. Isolated mounting points help reduce noise and vibration.
The rear suspension uses a compact, state-of-the-art linked "H" design, which uses an isolated mounting system to reduce noise and vibration transmitted to the passenger compartment. This design enables the handling prowess that comes with an independent suspension, but with minimal floor pan intrusion - a feature that helps the Acadia offer generous passenger and cargo space.
Acadia features standard power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, with variable-effort steering available. The suspension and steering system meet the road via standard 18-inch wheels and tires, with 19-inch wheels available. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard. The Acadia also offers the following standard features that enhance ride and handling, as well as safety:
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
Traction control system
Tire pressure monitoring system
Braking system
Four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard and feature Panic Brake Assist, also known as hydraulic brake assist. When panic braking is detected, the system automatically develops additional brake pressure to quickly engage ABS, potentially reducing overall stopping distance by eliminating the delay caused by not braking hard enough and/or soon enough.
Additional standard braking features include Dynamic Rear Proportioning (DRP), Hydraulic Brake Boost (HBB) and Hydraulic Brake Failure Compensation (HBC). DRP optimizes front to rear brake balance by dynamically adjusting the rear brake bias based on driving conditions and vehicle loading. HBB amplifies the hydraulic brake force to assist the driver under low or temporarily low engine vacuum conditions to reduce stopping distance. HBC amplifies the hydraulic brake force to assist the driver in the unlikely event of booster failure (under zero engine vacuum conditions) to reduce stopping distance.
Safety
Acadia ' 360-degree safety system helps protect passengers before, during and after a crash. A strong structure is the foundation, and it is augmented by a wide stance and low center of gravity that reduces the likelihood of a rollover. Acadia's responsive four-wheel independent suspension also enhances safety by providing stable ride and handling characteristics.
Acadia 's structure is reinforced in numerous areas with high-strength steel, including a stiff steel cross-car beam welded across the floor between the B-pillars. It also uses dual-phase steel in select areas, such as the lower engine compartment rails. Dual-phase steel is strengthened in the paint oven and offers easier formability, reduced mass, greater strength and better crash energy absorption than most high-strength steels.
Acadia is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal 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. The head curtain side air bags are among the longest air bags in any production vehicle.
Complementing the air bags is GM's rollover sensing system, which can preemptively activate the side-impact air bags if sensors determine a rollover is imminent. In the event of a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant containment.
Acadia also comes standard with OnStar 8.0 (with a one-year Directions and Connections plan including Turn-by-Turn navigation and Destination Download) that features the Advanced Crash Response System. If the crash activates an air bag, the OnStar system automatically notifies an OnStar advisor, who immediately calls the vehicle and/or summons emergency help.
Acadia is covered by GM's five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty and three-year/36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper warranty - the best coverage in America.