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2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid  (Source: General Motors)

  (Source: General Motors)
GM's 2-mode hybrid system boost fuel efficiency by 25 percent overall

General Motors is stepping up its efforts in the hybrid game with its second generation Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid pickup. The new Silverado Hybrid goes far beyond what the first generation "mild hybrid" model could achieve and instead uses GM's much-touted 2-mode hybrid system.

The standard gasoline-powered Silverado is already the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup on the market, but the 2-mode hybrid system -- which is shared with the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade hybrids -- boosts efficiency even further. The Silverado Hybrid can travel up to 30 MPH under electric power alone (even while towing) and still has the ability to tow up to 6,100 pounds.

The 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery used in the Silverado Hybrid is mounted under the rear seats. A 300-volt air conditioning compressor is also used to cool passengers even with the gasoline engine is not running.

When all is said and done, the 2-mode hybrid powertrain boosts the fuel efficiency of the Silverado by 40 percent in the city and 25 percent overall. This achievement is quite remarkable when you consider that the Silverado Hybrid is still packing a 6.0 liter V8 engine with 332 HP and 367 lb-ft of torque.

GM also notes that thanks to the hybrid powertrain and its 26-gallon fuel tank, the Silverado Hybrid will travel more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas.

"The Silverado Hybrid is the newest example of Chevy's heritage of truck innovation, which stretches back 90 years, and exemplifies Chevrolet's commitment to fuel solutions," said Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper. "Silverado Hybrid will deliver fuel economy comparable to many small and midsize trucks that are equipped with four- or six-cylinder engines -- all while delivering the capability customers expect of Chevy full-size trucks."

The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid will launch in late 2008 and will be available on Crew Cab models in both 2WD and 4WD trim levels.

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Why not...
By joemoedee on 11/14/2007 11:28:45 AM , Rating: 2
Put a diesel in the light pickup? I know folks that have 3/4 Ton and 1 Ton trucks that are getting 20-22 mpg highway now. A 1/2 ton pickup wouldn't need near the torque, so it could be tuned even more-so for fuel economy.

I would think the gas mileage improvement would be more substantial, and initial and longterm cost would be less than this Hybrid.

I do believe Ford is looking into a smaller Diesel for their F-150. I hope GM/Dodge/Toyota start looking that way as well.

I just don't see a Hybrid being the ideal powerplant for a truck.




RE: Why not...
By Chernobyl68 on 11/14/2007 11:37:16 AM , Rating: 1
notice they still don't tell you the actual milage? just the "40% improvement?"
or how much its going to cost. If hybrids don't make economic sense, it will be that much harder to justify buying one. and I don't know many people that travel less than 30 miles per hour to work.


RE: Why not...
By ElFenix on 11/14/2007 11:43:52 AM , Rating: 2
it probably hasn't been EPA rated yet. they can't tell you anything other than the EPA number, by law. this truck so far is an auto show special.

the tahoe improved from 14/20 to 21/22.


RE: Why not...
By Black69ta on 11/14/2007 1:08:36 PM , Rating: 2
In a round about way they do, 500 mile on 26 Gal is slightly more than 19mpg since under 30mph is Batt only then City might be even higher than 500 miles a tank


RE: Why not...
By Oregonian2 on 11/14/2007 2:01:16 PM , Rating: 2
If you're not in the market for the non-hybrid version then it'll matter little to you. If you have such a truck or are seriously thinking about buying one, then the 40% improvement likely has your riveted attention, regardless of what the actual numbers are.


RE: Why not...
By mdogs444 on 11/14/2007 3:01:24 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
If you have such a truck or are seriously thinking about buying one, then the 40% improvement likely has your riveted attention, regardless of what the actual numbers are.


I think it will grab attention, I just dont think it will grab sales. The extra cost of purchasing a hybrid and the potential high costs of having to repair the hybrid technology is not worth a few MPG in my opinion.

Whn it comes to cars, the more technology you put into them, the more that can go wrong. I had an 03 Audi A4 turbo quattro. I had more problems with the additional options on that thing - the turbo blew, the headlight washer motors gave out, digital climate control went screwy, etc - all before 40,000 miles.


RE: Why not...
By FITCamaro on 11/14/2007 5:41:26 PM , Rating: 2
I'm with you. I overheard a guy at work who hasn't had his BMW for 2 weeks. What went wrong? The part of the ignition that reads the code on the key isn't working so he can't start his car. Is there anything wrong with just putting a metal key in an ignition and turning it to start the car?

Every time I see a car commercial that brags about some innovative new feature, I just think to myself "And how much will that cost to fix when it breaks?".


RE: Why not...
By mdogs444 on 11/14/2007 5:44:23 PM , Rating: 2
My window in the Audi also fell off the track somehow, and it cost $700 to fix.....and the window didnt even break!


RE: Why not...
By AlphaVirus on 11/15/2007 9:50:53 AM , Rating: 2
I actually have this feature in my 2005 Taurus. Its not just "some innovative feature", it protected my car from theft. Someone broke the lock on the driver side door, and they tried to steal the car but couldnt. This feature will not allow the car to start no matter what you do unless you have the coded key.

Even though my Taurus is not a BMW, it still saved me from getting my car stolen and to me that is important.


RE: Why not...
By jdjbuffalo on 11/15/2007 6:21:00 PM , Rating: 3
That does stop the common car thief but don't be fooled.

Had your car been broken into by a professional car thief then you definitely would have had your car stolen. On top of that you would very likely have had your insurance company deny your claim because of this very feature. They would state that it's impossible to steal and therefore you must have left the keys in there. If you get in this position you will be pretty well screwed because you'll have to go to court and even if you win, you'll likely lose because it will cost you several thousands of dollars to get a judgment.


RE: Why not...
By Spuke on 11/14/2007 3:39:49 PM , Rating: 2
22 would great. We're getting 17 mpg right now but we're looking at a diesel truck for a replacement for ours.


RE: Why not...
By wolrah on 11/14/2007 8:44:50 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
notice they still don't tell you the actual milage? just the "40% improvement?"


What difference does it make? 40% better is 40% better no matter what the start and end points are. Hell, the worse the start point, the more gas that 40% increase is saving.


RE: Why not...
By Myrandex on 11/14/2007 12:08:44 PM , Rating: 2
As you said, Ford has had one in the works for a while for the F150, and in other countries they already do this (I believe in South America you can even get a Ford Ranger with a Diesel engine). The F150 Diesel is rumored to come out possibly next year.


RE: Why not...
By 16nm on 11/14/2007 6:29:24 PM , Rating: 2
That's good to know. I would like to see Honda make a small pickup with an efficient deisel engine. I could really use a small diesel pickup that gets around 30/40 mpg town/highway. I think many home owners would find it useful for running to Home Depot. Full size pickups and even medium-size pickups are overkill for tasks like this.


RE: Why not...
By riddance on 11/14/2007 12:34:30 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I do believe Ford is looking into a smaller Diesel for their F-150. I hope GM/Dodge/Toyota start looking that way as well.


GM is working on a light duty diesel that should be out in a year or two.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2935


RE: Why not...
By Alexvrb on 11/14/2007 9:43:27 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, GM's new 4.5L Diesel should kick some serious butt. I wouldn't be surprised if it wipes the floor with Ford's upcoming light duty diesel. Its got oodles of power, almost as much as current Duramax configurations, and its more efficient and cleaner too.


RE: Why not...
By EricMartello on 11/15/2007 8:58:23 AM , Rating: 2
GM's Duramax engines are really nice. I had a Diesel Silverado that could do 22 MPG on the highway and about 14.5 in the city...not bad for something with enough torque to pull a house and enough HP to hit 60 in about 8 seconds.

I don't see the point in hybrids. People say they're better for the environment? No, it's called used batteries in landfills. Last I checked, most components that make up those batteries are "toxic". Using less fuel or more efficient? No, not really...today's diesel engines run cleaner, quieter and more efficiently than the best hybrid. Not to mention, diesels are inherently more durable and less costly than a hybrid powerplant, both initially AND over the long term.


RE: Why not...
By bhieb on 11/14/2007 1:43:50 PM , Rating: 2
My .02..

It will cannabilize their F250 market. Most people I know with an F250 (about 10) are in construction or just people who need to tow smaller loads (haul a few ponies to the rodeo). The only reason any of them give for getting the 250 vs. the 150 is milage. Why buy a weaker smaller truck that gets less milage. I had an F150, and the milage was just aweful 11-13 range. Most of the people with the diesel are getting upper teens. If the 150 had a smaller effecient diesel I think a lot of potential 250 buyers would be lost.


RE: Why not...
By bhieb on 11/14/2007 1:48:48 PM , Rating: 2
Oh and one more thing. Why not both? Give us the diesel and the hybrid. If it is effecient enough then the need to haul a generater to small jobs would be gone too as the onboard hybrid gen would provide power to a few power tools. I believe GMC offered this at one point, but the big V8 was far less effecient that running a small generator. Maybe the engine could run off of only 2 or 4 cylinders when in "gen" mode???


RE: Why not...
By walk2k on 11/14/2007 3:16:33 PM , Rating: 1
Because diesels suck. They are noisy, smelly, and hard to find gas for them.