Chicago Auto Show: Denali XT

Posted by: David Kiley on February 5, 2008

Five years ago, I doubt a business case could be made for an El Camino comeback. But as the auto industry gets more and ore fragmented into niches, it’s now possible.

Denali XT hybrid, a muscular, sedan with a pickup bed will be introduced at the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday.

Derived from GM’s Zeta rear-wheel drive architecture that underpins the new Pontiac G8 sedan and forthcoming Chevrolet Camaro, it also marks the first time GM has mated its two-mode hybrid with an E85 engine.

Pontiac plans to introduce a similar, 2-door sport truck version of the G8, so the the Denali XT is not expected to go into production. GMC and Pontiac stores have been marrying up, so it would be silly to have two different vehicles like these in the same showroom. But frankly, I prefer the GMC.