-- Mayor Dave Bing is now being chauffeured in a $59,205 Yukon XL Denali delivered to the city on Wednesday, a move that is drawing criticism from unions and his rival in the Nov. 3 election.

The mayor's staffers say the decision to lease the SUV with heated-leather seats, a Bose stereo system and satellite radio is out of his hands because Police Department officials say they need it to do their job.

"It is the Police Department's decision. This is their requirement," said Karen Dumas, the mayor's spokeswoman, who added that the Denali is one of two vehicles assigned to the mayor's security detail.

Deputy Police Chief John Clark signed off on the one-year, $1,053 a month lease in July.

Also on Wednesday, according to city documents, the department returned the 2008 Chevy Suburban with 42,639 miles that had previously been assigned to the mayor.

Critics say the decision sends a bad message at a time when Bing is pushing workers for 10 percent wage cut and asking residents to weather service cuts.

"How can you do something like that when you have just cut bus service?" questioned Henry Gaffney, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local No. 26, which represents city bus drivers. "Why does he need a $60,000 vehicle when people are losing their jobs?"

Tom Barrow, Bing's challenger, called the Denali lease an example of the mayor's disconnect with Detroiters, noting the mayor had lived in an upscale suburb in Oakland County until moving to the city last year.

"When you are from Franklin, money is no object. He needs to think differently when he is using Detroit dollars," Barrow said. "In contrast, I am going around town in a 2005 Ford Explorer with 110,000 miles."

Dumas said the city sought competitive bids for the car and opted against leasing a 2010 Lincoln Town Car Signature L that would have cost $1,750 a month.

For years, General Motors had allowed Detroit mayors to use cars. But the practice ended last year.