Although the biggest news regarding the GMC Yukon Denali is that the 2015.5 model adds the General Motors Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic, Texas-based Hennessey Performance has something better in store for full-size sport utility vehicle fans.
We’re referring to a supercharged family hauler, which can sprint to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a very quick 4.5 seconds. To put that figure into perspective, the 2015 Yukon Denali weighs 5,533 pounds (2,590 kilograms) and accelerates to 60 mph like a snail.
Only if you opt for the HPE650, then you can boast about to your friends that your ride accelerates to 60 as fast as a BMW X6 M, Mercedes CLA 45 AMG, Porsche Cayman GTS PDK or a Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206. Not bad at all for a seven-seater.
If you wonder what’s hiding under the bonnet, don’t expect anything more than the usual 6.2 V8 motor with a 2.9-liter supercharger bolted on top. In total, the Hennessey Performance HPE650 GMC Yukon Denali produces 665 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a hefty 658 lb-ft (892 Nm) of torque at 4,200 rpm.
Of course, the supercharging system is joined by a high flow intercooler and new cylinder heads, as well as a HPE-developed camshaft and a retuned ECU, among other bits and bobs. But words alone can’t describe how 4.5 seconds to 60 and a 13.1-second quarter mile feel aboard this oil tanker on wheels.
Just press play and enjoy the ride with Mr. Hennessey. Spoiler alert: the supercharger whine is to die for!
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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