LA 2007 VIDEO: Interview with Two-mode hybrid Silverado PM Carl Hillenbrand
When the Two-Mode Silverado Hybrid hits the market next fall, it will likely boast best in class fuel economy while still managing to tow 6,100 lbs. While it's not that hard to beat the most miserly of full-size pickups in the MPG dept., doing that without sacrificing very much of the truck's capabilities is what's most impressive about the Silverado Hybrid. GM quotes fuel savings to be 40% better in city driving, with a 25% improvement overall. The hybrid Silverado can also hit 30 mph in electric-only mode for up to one mile depending on battery's state of charge. We teamed up with Pickuptruck.com editor Mike Levine to interview Silverado Program Manager Carl Hillenbrand, and the long-time GM truck man had plenty to say about the general's greenest-ever pickup. Click the video above for more.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PiCASSO @ Nov 15th 2007 6:47PM
Well spoken (engineering) program manager at GM... glad to see GM becoming a "greener" company.
Whitie @ Nov 15th 2007 8:02PM
I know that Billary wants me to drive a DemMobile, but I gotta say the thought of a Tahoe getting 20+ mpg is amazing. My current Tahoe lease is up right when these hybrids (hopefully) will be on the market. Yum.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 15th 2007 9:06PM
Boy, you got that right. Definitely do not do the right thing for you and the environment if it might make a Democrat happy. Well, that is if anyone in power even knew you existed.
Whitie @ Nov 16th 2007 9:36AM
My Tahoe w/ E85 is plenty green and the Hybrid is only going to make it better. What I don't want/need are Dems, or kids like you, telling me what I need to drive. That simply isn't going to happen.
rwcmick @ Nov 15th 2007 8:50PM
Carl Hillenbrand is a well spoken guy and very knowledgeable outside of his own programs. Carl was seated our table for dinner and I came away impressed with the depth and breadth of his expertise.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 15th 2007 9:13PM
Wow, he's sure on the ball. He knows what to say and says it well.
Looks like a winner, I still wonder why so long though.
He says the batteries are under the rear seat. That means no single row seating version of this truck. Does that mean no 8 foot bed version? It'd be a shame if they came out a pickup but contractors couldn't use it to reduce their running costs because it can't take the loads they need in the bed.
Guenther @ Nov 17th 2007 10:29PM
The batteries had to go somewhere, and it would have taken prohibitively expensive integration to hang them off the frame somewhere. Commercial users will likely be better served with the 4.5liter diesel that should be out shortly after. Half-ton long box trucks are a very small segment, and the battery could possibly fit under the seat in the extended cab.
Pat Rasmussen @ Nov 15th 2007 10:25PM
We need plug-in hybrids. Prius hybrids can quickly be converted to plug-ins. Then we can use it as an electric car to commute and use the hybrid when going on a trip. It only takes a day to convert to a plug-in. See RAN do it themselves in a day. Any automaker that says they can't do it for YEARS could just watch them and see how it's done. They're not even mechanics. You can check them out at: http://understory.ran.org/2007/11/14/ran-at-the-la-auto-show/
mavkato @ Nov 15th 2007 10:40PM
they also don't have to provide warranty coverage on their conversion. if their plug in hybrid blows up after 100 miles, it is no big deal, they were just experimenting. if gm (or anyother company) makes a plug in hybrid that doesn't last 10 years, they will have hell to pay.
Willem B @ Nov 16th 2007 8:11AM
and how do you plan to use your prius to tow a 6100 lb trailer? huh? yeah... i didn't think so...
Takeo @ Nov 16th 2007 10:32AM
Nice! Not a fan of SUVs but nice to see that the competition is heating up.