Caddy considers adding hybrids to the mix
The combination of high gas prices and a sales slowdown at Cadillac have caused the heads of GM's luxury division to consider adding a hybrid to the mix. During an interview with the Detroit News, John Howell, Caddy's head product honcho was quoted as saying that, "Pretty much every program I am looking at going forward has got a hybrid as part of it."
He remained mum on a timeframe for the addition of gas-electric hybrids into the Cadillac lineup, but for 2009, the blingtastic Escalade will be sporting a two-mode hybrid drivetrain, much like its GMT900 platform siblings, the Tahoe and Yukon. Such a system is expected to boost fuel economy by 25-percent over the standard gas-powered model.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sebastian Catalan 7:50PM (6/26/2007)
hey! spy photos of the escalade hybrid in autoblog green....
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Bonita 8:54PM (6/26/2007)
Great . . . A hybrid Escalade.
That'll get at least 7 miles per gallon!
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Phillip 10:05PM (6/26/2007)
Leave it to the typical SUV hater to say that... Good to see some 'edumacation' from others...
realistic 6:25PM (6/28/2007)
I'm not an SUV hater, however virtually no one uses the SUV for what it's designed and built for.. A Truck!! to pull trailers and boats along with alot of cargo and people. Rather one or two people (driver included) drive those things to soccor practice like a car. they don't use it to pull trailors or anything at all, nor to tote around alot of people or cargo inside or outside and also do not go off road whatsoever.. for that they might as well buy the full size sedans and have a softer ride and atleast 2 mpg better economy without having to climb up into it. If you use the SUV for what it's built for, great! but if you drive one around just for the hell of it then it's a waste of money and fuel
jgp 10:12PM (6/26/2007)
Mmm...imagine a hybrid system coupled to the STS' existing powertrain. Remember, a hybrid can be used for more than gas mileage; you can also use it to boost performance as if it were a big turbo.
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HotRodzNKustoms 10:25PM (6/26/2007)
yeah I hope they keep the big motor in the hybrid version because just since I want 25% better mileage doesn't mean I want to give up performance. The smaller motors do not belong in the Escalade no matter how much better mileage the 5.3 would get with the hybrid system than the 6.2.
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Viv 10:27PM (6/26/2007)
Here are the pics of Hybrid Escalade.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/spied-cadillac-escalade-hybrid.html
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Bob Zeliff 11:24PM (6/26/2007)
Yep another me too hybrid. Take some leadership..remember your a premier line...not just tarting up Tahoes.
Get a really good diesel (s) to power several models. Not the klakety cummins boat anchors but the quiet, smooth european type like audi, BMW, mercedes use. I thinnk this is a much better technical solution. Much less complex than a two energy source / two motor hybrid. Likely it will have a much less total environmental foot print than nasty battery intensive hybrids
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Cliff 7:09AM (6/27/2007)
I work for a Cadillac dealer in NW Ohio, I can't speak for all of my customers but the ones I have talked to will not accept a diesel powertrain.
Barney 9:07AM (6/27/2007)
"Get a really good diesel (s) to power several models"
Yet another overpowered diesel to solve the problem. GM has a diesel but because of the horsepower war, it's become another guzzler. Diesel instead of gas. I like diesel when it was simpler and made tough. Now the diesel is being modified to be quieter and to produce more power.
Jon 11:27PM (6/26/2007)
Why don't they just make a hybrid Gulfstream.
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Rene Curry 12:15AM (6/27/2007)
I think hybrids make sense utilizing electric RWD.
You could develop a standard rear axle with the electric drives and throw them under any RWD vehicle. Weight bias would be better too.
For FWD drive vehicles they could possibly throw the same rear end assembly in the back that would only function on the electric motors. When operating the FWD engine the electric RWD could also assist for AWD style traction when needed. Better weight bias too.
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Jim 3:06AM (6/27/2007)
Toyota warns Toyota's hybrid models are not to be driven off-road, as hybrid components may be damaged.
If the same holds true for the Cadillac, to hell with the body-on-frame.
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Cliff 7:09AM (6/27/2007)
Especialy since only about 5-10% of Caddy buyer are even remotely considering off road duty, most freak out with dust on the veh.
david 8:13AM (6/27/2007)
after watching the silver creek clip I would'nt take any Toyoda especially the Tundra off road hybrid or not.
bmoredlj 9:30AM (6/27/2007)
C&D presupposed the Esca Hybrid would have green brake lights, but I doubt they'll make it into production.
But I'd drive a rusty '88 Hilux to hell and back. Nigh indestructible, they are!...but not hybrid.
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icu812ru469 3:03PM (6/27/2007)
What next? A hybrid hummer? Bring on the diesels !!!
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