REPORT: GM says next-gen hybrid pickups could have 50% better towing
by Jonathon Ramsey on Feb 25th 2009 at 6:28PM 
General Motors isn't saying how it plans to do it, but according to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, it is saying that consumers are "...going to see substantial improvements in towing capability in our next hybrids." Right now, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid can pull 6,100 pounds with their electrically-assisted, multi-displacement 6.0-liter V8 engines. The improvement will be "up to 50% more," meaning a tow rating of 9,000 pounds could be coming this way.
If GM can wring a full 50% improvement out of the drivetrain, that would put the hybrids just 1,600 pounds short of the max towing capacity of the standard gasoline V8 crew cab half-ton with the enhanced tow package. The transmission torque capacity and the necessary cooling systems are the apparently the chief limitations to be overcome, and GM says if the current package can evolve enough, then "one of the things you might consider is E-Flex." And how neat would a Volt pickup be?
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
S2K 6:35PM (2/25/2009)
All their problems and they're still throwing money at HYBRID PICKUPS? Jesus Christ...
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why not the LS2LS7? 8:59PM (2/25/2009)
Pickups are the highest selling vehicles in the land.
Sea Urchin 10:57PM (2/25/2009)
Why not, GM already makes pick up mild hybrid and ethanol trucks.
Do you honestly think that a single individual in USA came into dealership and asked, "Hey is this truck running on ethanol, cause that's what i am using."
This is YET ANOTHER waist of money by GM, just like a mild hybrid program, ethanol, Volt, Lutz and Wagoners salaries and many many other programs.
The Luigiian 11:23PM (2/25/2009)
Sorry S2K, you can make all the fuel-efficient cars you want but it doesn't matter if I won't drive 'em.
Rob 2:25AM (2/26/2009)
50% of the time, it works, EVERY TIME.
Also, 100% of the time marketing people are complete nimrods who can barely wipe their own butts.
KeatMP 6:36PM (2/25/2009)
An all electric truck would be a great tower with its max torque at 0 rpm. GM needs to offer these trucks with the standalone hybrid option instead of having to pay about 50 grand for every other option minus four wheel drive and a sun room.
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Mobius_1 9:02PM (2/25/2009)
http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/acceleration_and_torque.php
Coolest torque curve. Ever.
Hike15 6:40PM (2/25/2009)
but will it have 50% better fuel economy...
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MemphisNET 7:10PM (2/25/2009)
Or 50% less H-Y-B-R-I-D badging.
Mobius_1 8:50PM (2/25/2009)
But 50% higher price is very likely.
why not the LS2LS7? 9:00PM (2/25/2009)
Yes. It already has 50% better fuel economy (city, a little lower combined) and tests on the SUV shown it maintains that 50% advantage when towing. autoblog (or ABG) covered this.
Enigmatic 6:49PM (2/25/2009)
I think it's clear that battery-powered vehicles are the future of automobiles. It is really the only viable method that can relatively easily integrate with existing technology. If they can make a fuel-efficient pick-up that maintains good hauling and towing ability, then I'm all for it. We already have three vehicles in my family that are used regularly, it isn't feasible for us to add a fourth just so my dad doesn't have to waste gas with his new Ram. It is his daily driver.
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S2K 6:51PM (2/25/2009)
The car of the future?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/4215940.html
Mobius_1 8:58PM (2/25/2009)
I don't know, but purely battery powered cars will take a revolution in the way we perceive cars as something we take on a drive then just fill up and keep going. Purely battery based cars can't do that with the lengthy charges (unless SSC really can make those 15 min to full charge batteries) which no consumer is going to stand when filling a car with petrol (or diesel) takes a matter of minutes.
Hybrids, on the other hand, still use petrol/diesel so IMHO isn't really going to solve the problem of pollution and petrol dependence for good (and right now, unfortunately, they don't get extraordinary MPG figures, and definitely not those H-Y-B-R-I-D Escalade smugmobiles) and if the reports I've seen are correct, they are quite bad for the environment in their production and will cause more problems when they are done.
Here's a prayer to hydrogen power, a cleaner future, a better-looking US Trade balance, less smugness, and just generally the continued improvement of our great civilisation.
Enigmatic 9:51PM (2/25/2009)
I think it depends on the range of the battery really. If a car can go a full day or even last a few days between charges for the average person and then be charged over night, I could see many people springing for these as long as the price is competitive. Unless the Volt is a colossal failure, then I think it's fair to assume that the other manufacturers will develop their own pure electric vehicles. Competition will drive down prices and charging times will progressively decrease as ranges get extended. This is an obviously an ideal situation, but it is at least plausible. I can't really say the same about the other alternative fuel technologies at this point.
Mobius_1 7:05AM (2/26/2009)
I agree to some extent. A leap in battery tech would do wonders for it. But can battery powered cars do, for example, the 24 Hours of LeMans? Or go on huge long road trips? (to desolate areas without electricity, let's just say)
But that's ok by me, since if most people drive battery cars I can drive around in a Ferrari with a V12 and enjoy the low fuel prices. :)
gslippy 6:50PM (2/25/2009)
A Volt pickup has the same snowball's chance as the G8 ST pickup. Actually less chance, since the Volt may never be produced, and the G8 is. Sort of.
But if you want a hybrid pickup for $55k, go ahead.
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KeatMP 6:53PM (2/25/2009)
The volt will never be produced? I'm sorry, you must be mistaken. You are aware that GM is working on the second generation Volt as we speak. If any car will make it to the market, it's this one. And as for the Volt Pickup comment, Autoblog didn't mean a Volt with a truck bed, they meant a pickup truck with the Volt or "Voltec" powertrain.
gslippy 11:25PM (2/25/2009)
GM is jettisoning Saturn, Hummer, Saab, and probably Pontiac - all because they are unprofitable. The Volt will certainly be unprofitable, and GM admits this. How will their Congressional managers permit them to go forward with another losing product? Terrible business case.
GM recently said that a "key" ingredient to the Volt's success is infrastructure upgrades, which they are 'hoping' will happen in their two target cities - SF and DC. Terrible market support.
The Volt will be priced near $40,000. Terrible price for an 'economy' car.
After 40 miles, the Volt will be running on the equivalent of a 72-HP engine, and the first 40 miles will not happen if it is cold outside. Terrible performance for anything built in 2011.
IF Congress permits the Volt program to continue, they (or the American taxpayers, really) will have to subsidize every sale of this vehicle. Consumers will soon discover that there is no financial reason to buy a Volt, and its performance and complexity - not to mention GM's tenuous standing as a going concern - will scare them off.
I am aware that GM is working on Volt 2.0. The announcement of the second generation of a car that has not yet been released yet is pure salesmanship. They are trying desperately to keep Congressional support flowing. With all the hoopla surrounding the Volt program, GM is curiously quiet about how it actually performs.
I would love for the Volt to be successful from all these perspectives, but reality says it can't be. So something will have to give.
As for the next-generation hybrid pickups, there are probably some GM engineers sweating this publicity stunt.
Julius 12:17AM (2/26/2009)
You forget, gslippy - several members on the automaker review board are environmentalists. I'm sure that they would also vote to pull funding from GM if they didn't show "an honest effort" re: fuel economy, and that also means pickups.