Bob Lutz says Via Motors' X-Truck makes Prius look like a 'gas guzzler'

No one's ever accused Bob Lutz of underselling his products, and the former General Motors Vice Chairman – a key development force for the Chevrolet Volt – is at it again with Via Motors. Via, which will present three new full-size extended-range plug-ins at Detroit's North American Auto Show next week, will show off a truck that will have, as Lutz puts it in a one-minute video, "the torque of a monster truck" and "the fuel economy that makes a Prius looks like a gas guzzler." Ah, that's the subtle Lutz we know and love.

In case you were curious, Via Motors announced on Facebook it will keep the subtle theme going at the press conference next week in Detroit thanks to ... a hologram of Thomas Edison. You can see a preview video below and then imaging "the ground breaking life-size hologram conversation between Thomas Edison and father of the Chevy Volt, VIA's Bob Lutz." We cannot wait.

The Via X-Truck will have fuel economy of up to 100 miles per gallon, according to the company. Via will also show off what Lutz calls a Cadillac Escalade-class SUV that will get fuel economy of more than 100 miles per gallon. You can watch the video below.