GM Debuting Full-Size Hybrid Trucks in Fall 07

[fbrdphreak]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116373

Company insiders tell Inside Line the hybrid version of the trucks will see a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the conventional trucks, with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg. The hybrid trucks will also be outfitted with a new V8 engine with an unspecified displacement that makes approximately 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are capable of using the new hybrid system. It is unclear which truck will be the first to get the hybrid system ? or whether both will get it at the same time. However, because of the hybrid's anticipated expense ? at least $3,000 more than the gas-powered versions of the trucks ? GM may be leaning toward introducing it first in the GMC-brand trucks, which are aimed at a more affluent audience.

GM's dual-mode hybrid trucks will be equipped with the new V8 and two electric motors that control two planetary gearsets. Another key piece of equipment will be a fuel-optimization computer. "Dual mode" refers to the hybrid's transmission setup, which allows the truck to shift between a conventional 4-speed automatic transmission and a continuously variable transmission. The shifting between transmission modes is done with the help of the onboard fuel-optimization computer, which makes split-second calculations as to which transmission mode will be the best for conserving fuel. The work is done automatically, with no buttons to push by the driver.

Wow, that is frickin' amazing if it works as well as it seems. I gotta ask how much extra weight there will be though, with two frickin' trannys under the hood there.

And I always thought CVT's couldn't handle lots of torque, but the Maxima and its bitchin' V6 have one. I realize that the CVT in this sense will be for cruising only it seems like, so I guess large amounts of torque don't apply.

But still; 25% MPG improvement and more power, sounds like a great start.

 

[tfinch2]

Let the GM bashing begin!

 

[Saint Nick]

Also sounds like it will end up costing an arm, a leg, and maybe your head, too :laugh:

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Wow, that is frickin' amazing if it works as well as it seems. I gotta ask how much extra weight there will be though, with two frickin' trannys under the hood there.

And I always thought CVT's couldn't handle lots of torque, but the Maxima and its bitchin' V6 have one. I realize that the CVT in this sense will be for cruising only it seems like, so I guess large amounts of torque don't apply.

But still; 25% MPG improvement and more power, sounds like a great start.

The 'dual-mode' transmission will likely still be one CVT transmission, with a decision on if it does the "sliding-scale" type variable gear ratio, or steps between 4 pre-built ratios. (The pre-built ratio segments of the CVT could be reinforced relative to the other segments of the CVT)

 

[lokiju]

Not to bad at only $3,000 more than a standard one.

 

[NFS4]

4-speed auto? What is this, 1989?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Nyati13
The 'dual-mode' transmission will likely still be one CVT transmission, with a decision on if it does the "sliding-scale" type variable gear ratio, or steps between 4 pre-built ratios. (The pre-built ratio segments of the CVT could be reinforced relative to the other segments of the CVT)

While I agree it seems like physically having a CVT & regular auto built into one tranny would be difficult and costly and heavy, I thought CVT's couldn't handle lots of torque? How would a single CVT handle 365 ft-lbs?

Originally posted by: NFS4
4-speed auto? What is this, 1989?

I thought the same thing, but if the 4-speed is only needed for low-speed acceleration & towing, why do they need the 5th gear for cruising? The CVT is its 5th gear

 

[Kenazo]

Now if they can make a 350hp truck get 25mpg, give me a 200hp truck that gets 40mpg and I'd be even more happy.

 

[j00fek]

i thought gm was making hybrids for pr ?

 

[AMCRambler]

Transmission probably adds some weight, but I can't imagine the extra transmission weighs more than 200-300 pounds, even with all the linkages associated with it.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Let the GM bashing begin!

Let the "hybrids aren't worth the money in gas savings" bashing begin.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116373

Company insiders tell Inside Line the hybrid version of the trucks will see a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the conventional trucks, with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg. The hybrid trucks will also be outfitted with a new V8 engine with an unspecified displacement that makes approximately 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are capable of using the new hybrid system. It is unclear which truck will be the first to get the hybrid system ? or whether both will get it at the same time. However, because of the hybrid's anticipated expense ? at least $3,000 more than the gas-powered versions of the trucks ? GM may be leaning toward introducing it first in the GMC-brand trucks, which are aimed at a more affluent audience.

GM's dual-mode hybrid trucks will be equipped with the new V8 and two electric motors that control two planetary gearsets. Another key piece of equipment will be a fuel-optimization computer. "Dual mode" refers to the hybrid's transmission setup, which allows the truck to shift between a conventional 4-speed automatic transmission and a continuously variable transmission. The shifting between transmission modes is done with the help of the onboard fuel-optimization computer, which makes split-second calculations as to which transmission mode will be the best for conserving fuel. The work is done automatically, with no buttons to push by the driver.

Wow, that is frickin' amazing if it works as well as it seems. I gotta ask how much extra weight there will be though, with two frickin' trannys under the hood there.

And I always thought CVT's couldn't handle lots of torque, but the Maxima and its bitchin' V6 have one. I realize that the CVT in this sense will be for cruising only it seems like, so I guess large amounts of torque don't apply.

But still; 25% MPG improvement and more power, sounds like a great start.

When did they put a CVT in the Maxima? Must be a recent thing because it wasn't an option on my 2003 Maxima nor do I believe it was in 2004.

I've only driven one CVT and I didn't like it. Response to throttle input felt mushy like the engine had little torque.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: NFS4
4-speed auto? What is this, 1989?

My '03 Maxima has a 4 speed auto.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: NFS4
4-speed auto? What is this, 1989?

My '03 Maxima has a 4 speed auto.

My dad's '97 Explorer had a 5-speed

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Let the GM bashing begin!

Let the "hybrids aren't worth the money in gas savings" bashing begin.

Paging spidey07. Spidey07 please report immediately.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
When did they put a CVT in the Maxima? Must be a recent thing because it wasn't an option on my 2003 Maxima nor do I believe it was in 2004.

I've only driven one CVT and I didn't like it. Response to throttle input felt mushy like the engine had little torque.

Do you watch TV? Its all over the new commercials

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
Now if they can make a 350hp truck get 25mpg, give me a 200hp truck that gets 40mpg and I'd be even more happy.

Won't happen, the reason why a larger displacement engine is ideal on trucks in regards to fuel economy is because it can handle the weight and the work load better than a smaller engine. So really, the smaller engine has to work harder to keep up.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: NFS4
4-speed auto? What is this, 1989?

My '03 Maxima has a 4 speed auto.

My dad's '97 Explorer had a 5-speed

1997 Ford Explorer/Sport Trac/Sport: Ford added another new engine for '97, a single-cam 4.0-liter V6. It was rated at 205 horsepower and mated to a new 5-speed automatic transmission. Other changes included an electronic transfer case for 4WD models. Mercury added a 4-door-only version of Explorer called Mountaineer

:Q

I'm surprised, figured you meant a manual

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: Kenazo
Now if they can make a 350hp truck get 25mpg, give me a 200hp truck that gets 40mpg and I'd be even more happy.

Won't happen, the reason why a larger displacement engine is ideal on trucks in regards to fuel economy is because it can handle the weight and the work load better than a smaller engine. So really, the smaller engine has to work harder to keep up.

a 23/27 rating on a truck is insane.

for example, the current Tacoma V6 only gets 18/22 mpg...

 

[archcommus]

Let's do some math, folks. Let's say you own the truck for seven years and drive 16,000 miles/year. That's 112,000 miles.

Let's say your regular V8 gets 17 MPG. That is then 6588 gallons of gas, or $19,764 at $3/gal.
Let's say the hybrid V8 gets 23 MPG. That is 4869 gallons of gas, or $14,608 at $3/gal.

Savings of $5156, factoring in the price of the hybrid vehicle, $2156 over a seven year time period. Actually worth it.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: archcommus
Let's do some math, folks. Let's say you own the truck for seven years and drive 12,000 miles/year. That's 84,000 miles.

Let's say your regular V8 gets 16 MPG. That is then 5250 gallons of gas, or $15,750 at $3/gal.
Let's say the hybrid V8 gets 24 MPG. That is 3500 gallons of gas, or $10,500 at $3/gal.

So for ONCE, MAYBE a hybrid could actually be worth it.

12k miles a year, that is funny

my dad has 12k on his new Tahoe that he has owned for about 3 months...

however, it will be interesting to see if this really can withstand the duties of a true work truck, and i wonder if DoD is implemented.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: archcommus
Let's do some math, folks. Let's say you own the truck for seven years and drive 12,000 miles/year. That's 84,000 miles.

Let's say your regular V8 gets 16 MPG. That is then 5250 gallons of gas, or $15,750 at $3/gal.
Let's say the hybrid V8 gets 24 MPG. That is 3500 gallons of gas, or $10,500 at $3/gal.

So for ONCE, MAYBE a hybrid could actually be worth it.

12k miles a year, that is funny

my dad has 12k on his new Tahoe that he has owned for about 3 months...

however, it will be interesting to see if this really can withstand the duties of a true work truck, and i wonder if DoD is implemented.

That doesn't make that normal or anywhere NEAR average....

Edited my numbers BTW.

 

[Viper GTS]

Trucks are the one place that hybrids might actually make economic sense.

$3K is a relatively small premium to tack onto an already expensive vehicle, & the fuel usage during their expected lifespan is FAR higher than a passenger vehicle (25% of a much, much larger number).

It'll be interesting to see how it turns out, if GM can deliver on those promises...

Viper GTS

 

[eshtog]

Originally posted by: archcommus
Let's do some math, folks. Let's say you own the truck for seven years and drive 12,000 miles/year. That's 84,000 miles.

Let's say your regular V8 gets 17 MPG. That is then 4941 gallons of gas, or $14,823 at $3/gal.
Let's say the hybrid V8 gets 23 MPG. That is 3652 gallons of gas, or $10,956 at $3/gal.

Savings of $3867, factoring in the price of the hybrid vehicle, only $867 over a seven year time period.

lol I have an 06 BMW and in 10 months I have driven 24k miles

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: eshtog

Originally posted by: archcommus
Let's do some math, folks. Let's say you own the truck for seven years and drive 12,000 miles/year. That's 84,000 miles.

Let's say your regular V8 gets 17 MPG. That is then 4941 gallons of gas, or $14,823 at $3/gal.
Let's say the hybrid V8 gets 23 MPG. That is 3652 gallons of gas, or $10,956 at $3/gal.

Savings of $3867, factoring in the price of the hybrid vehicle, only $867 over a seven year time period.

lol I have an 06 BMW and in 10 months I have driven 24k miles

So you drive far more than average, why should I use your numbers?

EDIT: Also clearly the make and year of your car have NOTHING to do with how much you've driven. But I guess adding that in made you feel better. Whatever helps that e-penis grow...