OFFICIAL: 2015.5 (2015i) Discussion Thread

[Lyon]

Sweet, can't wait to drive one with the 8 speed. Can't believe this wasn't ready a few months ago on the original launch. WTH, GM?

Should have at least waited for 2016 to release these goodies.

I suspect that this transmission was supposed to have been ready for he 1/2 ton pickup launch last year and was supposed to have been mated to the new 6.2 all along. This is totally a guess but, from what I've read about it, this 8-speed transmission program started just about the same time as the the economy tanked in early 2008. The engines are essentially variations of the older Vortecs but with the implementation of three relatively well known engine technologies. Heck the 4.5 Duramax got shelved, I wouldn't be surprised if the 8 speed program slowed down significantly and they missed their launch by 18 months.

To put it simply, I'm sure GM planned on releasing the 8 speed along with the new Ecotec engines but missed the deadline. Anywho, I don't think launching the 8-speed a year after the 1/2 ton pickups and halfway into the initial year of the Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe/Escalade was part of the plan all along

I'm not one of the folks who bought an early 2015 model and has been screwed over by the late 8 speed release so I know I'm more apt to give GM the benefit of the doubt but I have to assume they would have preferred to release the new 1/2 ton pickups with the added selling point of the 8-speed.

 

[motorwerks]

Correct about the 8L90. Beauty is that it IS exactly the same overall trans meant for the upcoming Corvette Z06 with only programming changes. Imagine plugging in a Diablo sport Predator tuner (or equivalent) into the Denali and installing the performance tune into the new 6.2L with 8L90.

My biggest gripe with the 6Lxx is the lazy shifting and hunting for gears when driving the trucks in a sporty fashion. Especially the harsh 1-2 shift and lazy 2-1 delayed downshift.

 

[IrishTR]

Black Bear Tune solved that problem for me in mine

 

[HAARubicon]

So no 8 speed till mid 2015 for the 5.3. So none of Chevy line up is getting it till then. Wow

The Chevy LTZ guys are getting screwed for sure. I cant figure buying the top of the line Chevy product and not getting the 8 speed, but buying the GMC top of the line product you do.

I have the SLT Yukon XL, so I would have been left out in the cold anyway. My wife was not going to wait another 18 months for two more gears, as great of an improvement as it will be.

 

[uscgto]

I am in the market for one.

And if available I would rather go with the 8 speed. I was gonna trade in my MB GL450 on one, but now I have a different plan.

I think I might have to buy a stop-gap arrangement used escallade while I wait for the updates to spread.

Anyone know abt Diesel?

 

[BirchyBoy]

A Duramax Yukon would be pretty awesome.

 

[uscgto]

I was expecting them to launch diesel option much sooner than that. Mainly because the trucks already get it.

 

[MauiYukonXL]

I'm looking at the Yukon XL SLT and Hoping for a rebate or 0% for the 2015 models to make room for 2015.5. I don't need the extra power so I have a grill and Denali Name plate on order. Its about $700 for the parts. I will have the Denali look. It would be nice to have the 8 speed. But I cant wait untill next year!

 

[Daunntlessone]

That is the strangest thing I have heard in a while. You care enough to go through all of that so people will "think" you have a Denali? Wow. Maybe you should focus on something else and take people to dinner with that $700, I am certain they would be much more impressed.

 

[fiatdale]

Its alright to be a poser. Plenty have done it with the NBS trucks and the Denali front end, and it looks great.