GM hybrid SUVs get 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway
click above image for new pics of the 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid
Finally! For months and months we've been hearing that the upcoming two-mode hybrid SUVs from General Motors will have better fuel economy by this or that percent. Today we learned from Automotive News exactly how much better they'll be. The 2WD version of the Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids will achieve 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD version will get 20 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. For comparison's sake, the 2008 Chevy Tahoe 2WD gets 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway from its 5.3L V8.
We had a chance to drive GM's pair of two-mode hybrids recently, and we're pretty amazed at just how normal they felt. Since they are true hybrids, both will pull away from stop on pure electric power, which is a bit eery at first. Mash the throttle, however, and you'll be extremely surprised at how fast these hybrids accelerate. Their two-mode hybrid system is mated to a 6.0L V8, which, in combination with an assist from the electric motor, can really move these SUVs down the road. Together they produce 332 HP and 367 ft-lbs. of torque, which also allows for a 6,200 lbs. towing capacity!
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Gallery: 2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid
GM also spent a lot of time and money reducing their weight by adding an aluminum hood and rear hatch, lightweight wheels, and thinner seats. In fact, we've heard reports that a Tahoe Hybrid will weigh exactly the same as a regular Tahoe, despite the addition of the two-mode system and battery pack, the latter of which is hidden underneath the second-row seats. That's nothing short of amazing.
Of course, the two-mode hybrid system, weight savings and aerodynamic improvements must add a lot of cost to each GMT900 two-mode hybrid. You'd think so, but wouldn't be able to tell based on what GM will charge you for one. The base Chevy Tahoe LS starts at $34,000, while an upper level LTZ model begins at $45,510. Automotive News is reporting that the hybrid versions will start in the low- to mid-$40,000 range, a price we've corroborated with some inside sources who also tell us that the additional to cost to make these vehicles well exceeds what GM will charge for it.
We'll find out more details soon enough, as the Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids will officially debut tomorrow at the Texas State Fair.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
MARTIN WOODHEAD 9:55AM (11/03/2008)
Being English the idea of this ugly pig of truck being something to be pleased about because its more fuel efficient than just pouring the gas on the floor and setting light to it.
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review-readers.aspx?RT=67
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landrover discovery no fancy hi tech solution real world mileage 38 mpg and it can be used off road
you don't need a hybrid drive just try building an efficient engines and reasonably lightweight cars. the discovery is more than adequate off road reliable and comfy inside it the fairly hopeless UK motor industry can make a greener 4x4 without even trying.
why cant GM?
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MikeW 8:17PM (9/26/2007)
What axle ratio does GM use on the regular tahoe to get 14/20 on 4x2? 3.42
It is about time for the 6 speed auto in the regular Tahoe, 15/20 for a 4x4, and 16/21 for 4x2, and faster.
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John 8:39PM (9/26/2007)
Mike I always enjoy reading your Transmission comments but I have a question.
How does a 6 speed make the Tahoe or any car faster to 60mph than a 4 speed?
When I read car mags they state the speed in each gear. Going from 0-60 in a 4speed Tahoe means a gear change at 36mph and a gear change at 67mph. So they reach 60 in second gear.
A six speed would maybe at most make the changes at 35mph first to second and 61mph second to 3rd. So again it reaches 60mph in second gear.
I agree that the more gears the acceleration and fuel economy around town or on the hwy is better but during 0-60 accelerations only the first 2 gears are used on virtually all automatic cars and trucks.
Cecil 8:46PM (9/26/2007)
Agree with MikeW but John as well.
I had a 2003 Camry with the 4 speed auto and my shift points were around 40mph, 75mph, 108mph and I dont know after that because I let off the gas pedal.
I now have a 2007 Camry with the 6 speed and my shift points are 33mph, 61mph, 92mph, 114mph and I stopped after that.
Having a six speed is absolutely awesome and makes the driving much more rewarding and efficient but you still get to 60 in second gear or right at the changeover to 3rd.
aliasfox 9:13PM (9/26/2007)
John, Cecil:
Shorter gearing allows for higher RPM, and considering gasoline engines make the most power at higher RPMs, the engine is able to make more power (and therefore accelerate faster) given the shorter gearing.
That's also why your 2nd to 3rd shift point is just above 60 mph - the manufacturers wanted to be able to advertise the shortest 0-60 time. I wouldn't be surprised if gear ratios in Europe were tweaked to make the shift point just above 100 km/h.
Guenther 11:47PM (9/26/2007)
Whaeh! 6speeds are coming as fast as the transmission plants can be switched over- its not w/o it's headaches. They'll show up in more and more vehicles over the next 1.5 years. Same reason they are still building some 5.3s with iron blocks- foundry capacity takes time to switch over.
While this hybrid system seems to do well in city driving, I expect the 4.5l Duramax will be the hot ticket for those looking for highway fuel economy.
MikeW 12:02PM (9/27/2007)
Read the October '07 Automobile, Four seasons wrap-up on the Suburban. See the plus/minus summary 'needs a fiifth and sixth gear' Actual roadtrip highway mileage-16, overall 14.
Look at the shift points 1st-44, 2nd-83, 3rd-100 (gov.), 4th-100 (still gov.) Kind of explains the 17.1@83 in the 1/4 mile (stinks). 16@90 is better.
With the 6L80 & 3.73 axle ratio (and H rated version of 275/55 20 Dueler tires) 1st-30, 2nd-55, 3rd-90, 4th-120, 5th-125, 6th-120
the 1500 4x2 could move to the 3.42 axle ratio
1st-35, 2nd-60, 3rd-100, 4th-130, 5th-125, 6th-120.
and a 2500 4x2 could be a 5.3 (and 6L90, it has a higher load capacity park function)
also 2500 4x2 5.3 & 4.10 axle ratio
1st-25, 2nd-50, 3rd-80, 4th-110, 5th-135, 6th-125
and the reverse ratio in the 6L80/90 is about equal to first in the 4L60,65,70. New R-3.064, Old 1st-3.059
Brian Dreggors 8:15PM (9/26/2007)
One of the first no-compromise hybrids. Not only is it good for GM, but also for the multitude of vehicles that will soon get this two-mode system - Silverado/Sierra M-Class, X6, Durango, possibly Ford trucks(?).
Getting 40-50mpg out of a small, tinny car like the Prius is cute, but bringing large sport utilites up to automobile levels of fuel economy in urban conditions (most midsizers are 17-22 city mpg by '08 standards) without much sacrifice in capability and at a more reasonable end-cost to the consumer ($42k vs $35k is a smaller difference than $15k vs $20k in relative terms) is truly stepping ahead.
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Whitie 8:26PM (9/26/2007)
Fully agree. I have a 2007 Tahoe 4WD with a lease ending 14 months from now. It's the nicest vehicle I've ever owned and we already planned to replace it with another Tahoe. Only two changes this time around - we'll buy it (no lease) and it will have this seamless hybrid system. The mileage improvement already has me drooling.
paul34 9:30PM (9/26/2007)
Although I'm no fan of large SUVs, anything that can reduce the amount of fuel consumed by the people of this country is welcome.
I think the next logical step would be to start putting good diesels in these large vehicles (hybrid or not). Or, better yet, make it a diesel and a *series* hybrid - now THAT would be awesome.
Silver 11:12PM (9/26/2007)
"Getting 40-50mpg out of a small, tinny car like the Prius is cute"
"Cute?" Good fuel efficiency is "cute???" Good grief.
The smug gluttony of my fellow Americans is simply embarrassing.
But I'm sure all the yuppie SUV bimbos will brag to their friends at the mall about how enviro-conscious they are because they drive a hybrid Tahoe.
David 11:14PM (9/26/2007)
Granted, its a step in a sort of right direction but bringing the mpg up a couple of points is nothing in comparison to what really needs to happen. Massive taxes on suvs that are owned by those who don't have a valid reason ie, business.
Also, what sort of capability are you refering to them not losing in urban conditions? the ability to drive forward at 20 km/h...wow...impressive. Now if they could just park themselves and install their own 20's for all the yuppie white folks who think their big suv's make up for their small dicks.
David 1:09AM (9/27/2007)
Don't get excited yet cowboy. Hybrids require a much different driving style to get the maximum MPG's and judging by the driving style of most SUV drivers in my neck of the woods, most are going to be hard pressed to get the 20 mpg city. Realistically it will be in the 14-15 mpg range at which point all of the GM boards will be lit up with everyone whining about how crappy their mileage is. I don't see most people changing their driving style to extract maximum mileage.
Hybrid works better on smaller cars with small engines. The only two "big engine" hybrids, the (now canned) Accord V6 hybrid, and the Lexus LS600h V8 don't get much better mileage than their non-hybrid counterparts. If lexus can't get this right do you really think gm can? If you want good mileage, don't by a 3 ton truck to drive back and forth to work in.
Derek 7:12AM (9/27/2007)
David, remember these are EPA estimates, not the numbers that a dedicated "hypermiler" would get. The SUV's will get those numbers in the EPA's new test which has been designed to reflect how the average 'mash the gas, mash the brake' person drives, so you should expect to see something in that ballpark. 14-15mpg is realistic mileage for the current non-hybrid SUV's...
Vivek 8:23PM (9/26/2007)
Those are awesome numbers. These numbers can compare quite favorably to both CUV's and other cute 'utes. Now one can have both the functionality and the MPG's.
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whofan 8:23PM (9/26/2007)
Hats off to the General for their no nonsense approach to vehicle design.
This application is where a hybrid system really shines.
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gary 8:34PM (9/26/2007)
So how come in a long term driving test by Motor Trend the much lighter Silverado hybrid pickup gets just over 15 mpg?
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Scotty 8:39PM (9/26/2007)
The silverado hybrid system was a totally different (and less advanced) system. The main purpose of the silverado hybrid was to put real electrical plugs in the bed for power tools.
Brian Dreggors 8:48PM (9/26/2007)
If you're referring to the old 2004 Silverado that averaged 14.7mpg, that was a mild hybrid (BAS) that was essentially an oversized alternator and some battery packs. That truck's virtue wasn't fuel economy improvement, rather the start/stop function and the fact that you could power lots and lots of tools and appliances with the external power outlets.
The new GMT-900 Silverado/Sierra hasn't yet recieved the two-mode 'strong' hybrid system yet, but it will. I expect it will return similar if not BETTER results than these SUVs given their lighter curb weight you mentioned.
Bob-omb 8:34PM (9/26/2007)
We'll see what the real world numbers are. This sort of improvement sounds big, but let's face it, half of the people who buy huge SUVs will look at it and go "Hybrid? I ain't no treehugger" and ignore it.
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