GM will debut Hybrid Silverado and Sierra late next year
The folks at Inside Line managed to extract a little bit of extra news from General Motors at the debut of its new GMT900 pickups yesterday. Apparently the General plans to unveil hybrid versions of both pickups by Fall of next year. The hybrid pickups will feature the same dual-mode hybrid drivetrain that's set to appear first in the Tahoe Hybrid and be able to achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg while mated to a V8 producing 365 horsepower and 350 ft-lbs. of torque. The price, however, will be at least $3,000 more than their gas-powered counterparts.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Karesh 9:12AM (8/03/2006)
This is the first mention I've seen of the Dual Mode Hybrid's price. It's a complex system, so I figured it'll be pricey. Too much above $3,000 and it's going to have trouble. Even at $3,000 tax credits will be key. And when they run out?
With tax credits, many current hybrids cost just a bit more than their non-hybrid counterparts. For example, check out the Camry Hybrid and Lexus GS 450h pricing at my site:
http://www.truedelta.com/prices.php
For the Lexus, you need to select 2006 for one and 2007 for the other, as 2007 pricing for the non-hybrids has not been released yet.
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Allen Guthier 10:05AM (8/03/2006)
Is this GM's way of saying, "it's ok to buy a huge, gas-guzzling vehicle for just one person...it's a hybrid!" GM used to be the leader in vehicle efficiency (see the Ultralight and EV-1), and the completely dropped the ball. This is what's on the minds of their executives these days: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/08/03/gm-division-president-darkes-record-oil-prices-don-t-hurt/
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GhostDoggy 10:06AM (8/03/2006)
Yeah, the one hybrid that sold the most is now in a situation where it is no longer able to get that tax credit. Also, you ignore dealerships and their trend to slap-happy $3-5K premiums on 'popular' vehicles.
Sorry, I'll buy the conventional vehicle, because I can usually get it for $3-5K below list (not above) and be able to sleep at nights knowing my cart and horse are mature technolgies that most monkey-mechanics can fix.
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yedkar 10:22AM (8/03/2006)
hmmmm... GM taking a crack at Toyota's Hybrid monopoly. Under normal circumstances, I would be prompted to burst out into uncontrollable laughter. But with GM's fortunes lying on the guillotine, I guess they are going to try out anything that works.
On a positive note, SUVs and Pickups are a good place to start applying Hybrids, given their mileage. SO torque will suffer. But face it - most people who buy pickups come from the "no go, all show" category. Plus, those who really need extra torque to pull their pesky little homes around can always opt for a diesel. This way, your average Joe, who thinks Michigan's cracked freeways merit the use of a Pickup/SUV can reap all the benefits of the solid rear axle/bouncy suspension AND bring home half decent fuel mileage. A pickup truck AND college education for his kid! what a killer combo.
And while Wagoner's certainly not got me sold on GM's new full size pickup offerings, there probably quantum leaps over the current stock. Not that thats necessarily saying much. One a side note, I must admit that the chrome billet grill treatment on the GMC makes it look upscale, although the whole idea of a luxury pickup still baffles me. Pickups are work vehicles, not lazyboy couches.
Yup, yup, theres my mess on what I think of GM and its GMT-900 platfom.
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G 10:25AM (8/03/2006)
Actually, $3,000 will be fully negated in gas savings by driving over the course of two to three years. So, it is actually worth the increased price in this case.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Tri-Bob 10:58AM (8/03/2006)
I'm curious to see what towing capacity is for a hybrid?
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Gary 10:58AM (8/03/2006)
Seconding "G"'s comments. The relative MPG increase will be much bigger with a truck than a small car like the Prius. The extra $3000 will be a smaller percentage of the $30K (or whatever) a truck costs compared to the $20K of a car. Most hybrids don't make economic sense (without tax subsidies), but a truck might actually do so.
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David P B 11:00AM (8/03/2006)
Ok, so where are all you people that complain about American's and their big SUV and Trucks sucking up gas now?
Yeah, it isn't a Yaris, but it is something!
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laserwizard 11:02AM (8/03/2006)
Not good enough, GM. The system needed to be a hybrid diesel which would have given you durability, higher fuel economy, and a vehicle that would have been greatly appreciated by your commercial buyers and consumers alike. Once again you miss the target and deliver and underwhelming product with minimal fuel economy gain when measured against its outrageous cost.
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laserwizard 11:03AM (8/03/2006)
Towing capacity of the gasoline hybrid is rated at "two promises and a page of Lutz blogging insults at the press."
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Tri-Bob 11:25AM (8/03/2006)
One thing that is never missing, is all the naysayers, I wonder, laserwizard, could you design an engine? I am not an engineer, and would think this is a pretty daunting task, regardless, how many other companies have come out with a diesel hybrid? (none in the US).
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jammypup 11:27AM (8/03/2006)
I live in nyc but was raised in the UK where any large "truck" such as a range rover, x5 etc enjoys much higher sales of the turbo diesel version over the gas versions.
Now seeing as pick ups are more utilitarian than SUVs, why don't they all come with diesels as standard? Is it because gas was traditionally so cheap that there was no need to do this?
BTW laserwizard, I'm pretty sure that the hybrid tech that GM are working on with BMW and I think DC is within the transmission so could easily be used with gas or diesel engines. Don't be so quick to condemmn.
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Daniel 11:52AM (8/03/2006)
9. GM Powertrain already has systems on city buses. I do think they use gasoline engines because they are cheaper to build than the comparable diesel especially with the new emission standards.
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Ryan 12:44PM (8/03/2006)
Please tell me how that above-listed pictures does not look like a total copy of a current Ford F-350?
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Ryan 12:47PM (8/03/2006)
Well GM, I hope this saves the day for you guys, I really do.
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skooby 1:37PM (8/03/2006)
Is this news... I am unimpressed...
Don't need to sound negative.. But these guys need to do something NEW for it to be considered NEWS!
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rwdmtparkingonly 2:21PM (8/03/2006)
The 2 liter turbo ecotec that gm is putting in the high line versions of the solstice and sky makes 260hp AND 260 ft/lbs, plus it's more fuel efficient than the base 2.4 liter engine in those cars. Those output numbers are pretty close to the gm truck v-8s a couple years ago.
If gm really wants fuel efficient trucks they should drop that engine in these trucks, and the new full size suvs, instead of trying to catch up with toyota on hybrids.
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Eric L. 4:51PM (8/03/2006)
Let me see here - the Lexus GS450h makes 335hp, for a 4000lb vehicle, and it gets in the low 20's combined mpg. The Honda Accord hybrid makes 255hp, 3600 lbs, and gets around 25mpg combined (Edmunds long term test). How is GM going to get 25mpg combined for a 5000lb+ truck with a V8 engine?!
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guido 10:07PM (8/03/2006)
T0 # 18, because this is a two mode hybrid, it works not just in the city but also during highway driving. This system also makes higher towing possible, no way to do this with the toyota/honda system. I never liked hybrid much (I like to see the modern diesel here in the US) but this sytem might bring me back to a GM showroom...(diesel too)!
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MikeW 10:53AM (8/04/2006)
Why do people think that Toyota's 'hybrid' [transmission] doesn't work with highway operation?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Synergy_Drive
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