Tahoe Hybrid gets EPA rated
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Tahoe Hybrid gets EPA rated
Don't mind the nerds posting at the bottom. This could be old, but it's the first I've heard of it.
http://www.dailytech.com/GMs+Tahoe+Y...rticle9081.htm
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (Source: Autoblog)
(Source: Autoblog)GM's full-size dual-mode hybrids crack the 20MPG barrier
DailyTech reported back in mid-March that GM had begun early production on its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size hybrid SUVs. The dual-mode hybrid system, which GM says is superior to Toyota’s single-mode Hybrid Synergy Drive, uses mode one for city driving and mode two for highway driving.
GM's dual-mode hybrid system can accomplish all the feats of the Toyota system -- internal combustion engine (ICE) turned off while idle, electric-only propulsion at low speeds, electric/ICE propulsion during heavy acceleration and regenerative braking -- but also adds the ability to improve highway fuel economy by using two electric motors, two continuously variable transmission (CVT) modes along with a four-speed automatic transmission and cylinder deactivation.
In addition, all of the electric motor mechanicals are housed within the transmission, so no additional space needs to be occupied for those components.
Variants of the dual-mode hybrid system will be used in vehicles from Chrysler and BMW.
GM's current ICE-only Tahoes and Yukons are rated at 14MPG/20MPG for 2WD models and 14MPG/19MPG for 4WD models. Today, we’ve learned that the use of the dual-mode hybrid system boosts those figures to 21MPG/22MPG and 20MPG/20MPG respectively under the EPA’s new testing methodology.
Those are pretty impressive number for a 322 HP/367 lb-ft vehicle that is approaching 6,000 pounds -- especially the city numbers. Despite added complexity added by the dual-mode hybrid system, the two SUVs can still feature a 6,200 pound towing capacity.
According to Autoblog, GM was able to offset the weight gain of the electric motors and batteries by using aluminum for various body panels, lighter wheels, and thinner seats. The system also doesn't take away from passenger space as the battery pack is located under the second-row seats.
There is no official pricing available for the hybrid Tahoes and Yukons, but expect for pricing to start in the mid-$40k range.
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http://www.dailytech.com/GMs+Tahoe+Y...rticle9081.htm
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (Source: Autoblog)
(Source: Autoblog)GM's full-size dual-mode hybrids crack the 20MPG barrier
DailyTech reported back in mid-March that GM had begun early production on its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size hybrid SUVs. The dual-mode hybrid system, which GM says is superior to Toyota’s single-mode Hybrid Synergy Drive, uses mode one for city driving and mode two for highway driving.
GM's dual-mode hybrid system can accomplish all the feats of the Toyota system -- internal combustion engine (ICE) turned off while idle, electric-only propulsion at low speeds, electric/ICE propulsion during heavy acceleration and regenerative braking -- but also adds the ability to improve highway fuel economy by using two electric motors, two continuously variable transmission (CVT) modes along with a four-speed automatic transmission and cylinder deactivation.
In addition, all of the electric motor mechanicals are housed within the transmission, so no additional space needs to be occupied for those components.
Variants of the dual-mode hybrid system will be used in vehicles from Chrysler and BMW.
GM's current ICE-only Tahoes and Yukons are rated at 14MPG/20MPG for 2WD models and 14MPG/19MPG for 4WD models. Today, we’ve learned that the use of the dual-mode hybrid system boosts those figures to 21MPG/22MPG and 20MPG/20MPG respectively under the EPA’s new testing methodology.
Those are pretty impressive number for a 322 HP/367 lb-ft vehicle that is approaching 6,000 pounds -- especially the city numbers. Despite added complexity added by the dual-mode hybrid system, the two SUVs can still feature a 6,200 pound towing capacity.
According to Autoblog, GM was able to offset the weight gain of the electric motors and batteries by using aluminum for various body panels, lighter wheels, and thinner seats. The system also doesn't take away from passenger space as the battery pack is located under the second-row seats.
There is no official pricing available for the hybrid Tahoes and Yukons, but expect for pricing to start in the mid-$40k range.
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Maybe I'm totally missing something and am way off base... however it seems to me simply swapping the A6 into the Tahoe would see a 2MPG improvement in highway mileage. While it wouldn't help the City mileage as drastically to improve from 14MPG to 21MPG, it would present a cheaper alternative, IMHO.
I'd trade in my '02 LS today if I could get a 2WD LS with the 5.3L Flex-fuel V8 and the A6.
I'd trade in my '02 LS today if I could get a 2WD LS with the 5.3L Flex-fuel V8 and the A6.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
Maybe I'm totally missing something and am way off base... however it seems to me simply swapping the A6 into the Tahoe would see a 2MPG improvement in highway mileage. While it wouldn't help the City mileage as drastically to improve from 14MPG to 21MPG, it would present a cheaper alternative, IMHO.
I'd trade in my '02 LS today if I could get a 2WD LS with the 5.3L Flex-fuel V8 and the A6.
I'd trade in my '02 LS today if I could get a 2WD LS with the 5.3L Flex-fuel V8 and the A6.
Not sure why you'd want flex-fuel. Ethanol has much lower energy content than gasoline yet costs the same, meaning you'll pay a lot more to cover every mile of highway. If fuel economy is your goal, ethanol should be avoided (it should be avoided regardless, but that's a different topic).
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What seems to me to be more important is:
1) how is performance compared the available gasoline engines?
and
2) What does the hybrid system cost above the gasoline
engine choices?
So far, I've not been impressed with hybrid technology (Toyota's financial success with them notwithstanding)...they often seem to be underpowered and cost far more to own than the mileage gains justify.
GM's new approach may prove to address both points well but I'll believe it when I see it.
1) how is performance compared the available gasoline engines?
and
2) What does the hybrid system cost above the gasoline
engine choices?
So far, I've not been impressed with hybrid technology (Toyota's financial success with them notwithstanding)...they often seem to be underpowered and cost far more to own than the mileage gains justify.
GM's new approach may prove to address both points well but I'll believe it when I see it.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Of course, those numbers work only if GM builds this theoretical A6 Tahoe.
Not sure why you'd want flex-fuel. Ethanol has much lower energy content than gasoline yet costs the same, meaning you'll pay a lot more to cover every mile of highway. If fuel economy is your goal, ethanol should be avoided (it should be avoided regardless, but that's a different topic).
However, my point was, I honestly believe a A6 option would be more economical (and cheaper) in the long run for many consumers. Hybrids are "sexy" today and may be a step in the right direction to reduce our demand on fossil fuels. However they need to be more economical in the long run if they are going to be effective. I am merely pointing out one case where the hybrid would not benefit someone looking for better efficiency that is also economical. Now if I were a soccer mom and did mostly City driving, it'd be a different story.
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Using your own figures, I think your savings, were you doing all your driving in the city, would only be in the neighborhood of $1,400/yr.
Not to disparage that amount; that's a nice savings but it would still likely take you a while to offset the additional cost of system.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Would it?
Using your own figures, I think your savings, were you doing all your driving in the city, would only be in the neighborhood of $1,400/yr.
Not to disparage that amount; that's a nice savings but it would still likely take you a while to offset the additional cost of system.
Using your own figures, I think your savings, were you doing all your driving in the city, would only be in the neighborhood of $1,400/yr.
Not to disparage that amount; that's a nice savings but it would still likely take you a while to offset the additional cost of system.
Still, as I said before, hybrids are the new "sexy" green alternative. As long as Hollywood and the media embrace them, the general public will think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread, regardless of what the real numbers show us.
P.S. Actually, based on my real world numbers the savings would be less than $1100 per year for me. (I average 15mpg with the 4.8L in my '02 LS.) Hardly enough to make me ever consider replacing it with a Hybrid Tahoe.
Last edited by jg95z28; Sep 27, 2007 at 06:38 PM.
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Posts: 535
From: Gotham City
One thing no one EVER talks about is the wear and tear of the gas motor turning on and off all the time. I mean when the electric motors are on and gas motor is off, isn't the oil pump stopped? Then it's on again and then off again....as they say up to 90% of engine wear occurs when the motor is started. That 90% is of course extreme cold. On top of that, don't you have to change the oil more frequently as it is similar to driving short trips on a gas only motor???
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