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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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Good Gains
By Sulphademus on 9/27/2007 9:49:55 AM , Rating: 3
Pretty impressive increase. Though "thinner seats" worries me from a comfort POV.

I wonder what BMW and Chrysler are going to be able to do with this or its brethren hybrid systems, seeing as this is a result of collaboration of the 3 companies. A Charger RT/SRT or 550i with decent city mileage would be extremely hard to turn down.




RE: Good Gains
By mdogs444 on 9/27/07, Rating: 0
RE: Good Gains
By jay401 on 9/27/07, Rating: -1
RE: Good Gains
By Chernobyl68 on 9/27/07, Rating: -1
RE: Good Gains
By mdogs444 on 9/27/2007 1:57:05 PM , Rating: 2
No, read the post i wont commenting on - he was referring to Chrysler.


RE: Good Gains
By LogicallyGenius on 9/28/2007 6:41:52 AM , Rating: 2
Why cant they make removable engines , so that in city we will use electric and at long distance we will use combustion one.


RE: Good Gains
By Oregonian2 on 9/27/2007 6:27:46 PM , Rating: 5
I dunno. My 1996 Chrysler T&C now has over 90,000 miles on it and it's not much different than before 50,000 other than a good bit dirtier both inside and outside. Do other brands have automatic self cleaning?


RE: Good Gains
By fxnick on 9/27/07, Rating: 0
RE: Good Gains
By mdogs444 on 9/27/2007 10:40:27 AM , Rating: 1
Explain.

Grow up because i prefer toyota & honda over american cars? What?

You must be offended by the 48 payments you have left on the Neon. Sorry.


RE: Good Gains
By pauldovi on 9/27/2007 10:48:34 AM , Rating: 1
Cracks me up.

I have to wholeheartedly agree. You really cannot beat the performance, safety, efficiency, quality, and reliability of Honda and Toyota cars. I think, however, that Honda is leading in the efficiency sector as Toyota is trying to beef up to compete with GM.

I mean... can you really beat the Honda Accord?

Granted GM is making much better cars then they used to...


RE: Good Gains
By bpt8056 on 9/27/2007 1:27:06 PM , Rating: 5
You must still be in your little dream world, here's a little taste of reality:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleI...
http://www.lemonauto.com/complaints/honda/honda_ac...
http://yotarepair.com/Sludge_Zone.html
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=...

If you choose to be blissfully ignorant, have fun driving the wheels off your Honda!


RE: Good Gains
By mdogs444 on 9/27/07, Rating: 0
RE: Good Gains
By TomZ on 9/27/2007 2:06:51 PM , Rating: 4
Same for my Toyota. So what does that prove?

While I agree that in generally Honda and Toyota have higher quality than other major OEMs, the total difference between them any of them is pretty small. Therefore, the "quality" is not such a distinguishing characteristic as it was in the past. In a nutshell, nearly all major OEMs have great quality now.


RE: Good Gains
By Alexstarfire on 9/27/2007 2:40:23 PM , Rating: 2
Would you like me to start posting links for all the recalls that GM, Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, and Chevy as well as all the problems they have that the companies refuse to acknowledge? Most cars from major companies will have there fair share of problems. What makes a difference is how big the problem is and what the company is going to do about it. I believe it was Ford cars, can't remember the models off hand, that are having engine problems and not only is Ford refusing to admit there is a problem, but they are making people pay for brand new parts out of pocket, even if they are in the warranty period of the car.


RE: Good Gains
By TomZ on 9/27/2007 2:52:21 PM , Rating: 2
Most companies try to keep problems quiet. Toyota, for example, has issues where they will replace things for free/in-warranty if the customer complains about a particular symptom. They do not, however, make these defects publicly known, and nor do their dealerships inform you about them when you bring in your vehicle for other service. I suspect other OEMs do the same.


RE: Good Gains
By FITCamaro on 9/27/2007 3:01:21 PM , Rating: 2
I believe that. A guy at work has a new 5.7L Tundra. He says he recently took it in for the 5000 mile service at the dealership. He asked them if there had been any problems with the Tundra. They said no.

He knew nothing about the problem Toyota had with the 5.7Ls snapping camshafts when I mentioned it.


RE: Good Gains
By Alexstarfire on 9/27/2007 8:52:02 PM , Rating: 2
I'm sure that's fairly accurate. Though I'm not sure if it's so much because they are trying to cover it up or because when they tested it themselves that they never encountered the problem. I'm thinking it's a little of both, but either way it makes no difference.

Even if they didn't admit it until people complained what you kinda missed was that a LOT of people are complaining about problems with American cars, like the engine problem I mentioned, and they are still denying it to this day. With it being something as serious and important as the engine you'd think they'd at least take a look into, by testing engines and looking into the broken ones, and say what they found, but they don't, to my knowledge.


RE: Good Gains
By TomZ on 9/27/2007 9:10:23 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
With it being something as serious and important as the engine you'd think they'd at least take a look into, by testing engines and looking into the broken ones, and say what they found, but they don't, to my knowledge.

Serious, kind of like Toyota's broken camshafts...?

I agree with you, though, and that's my point about Toyota. The OEMs try to keep these problems quiet in order to keep down warranty costs. It's a conspiracy I tell you!


RE: Good Gains
By Alexstarfire on 9/28/2007 1:46:47 AM , Rating: 1
Well, I can say that many of the major problems have been on SUVs. Honestly, that's not a problem in my book. Might as well have hidden maintenance costs on a gas sucking POS.