If
one plans to make a statement, it's best to do
it in a big way, right? That could be GM's philosophy
in bringing early hybrid vehicles to market. Among
the biggest vehicle guns for the automaker are
full-size pickups, specifically the Silverado
half-ton that casts a giant shadow at GM. As its
overall best seller, what better way to boost
environmental responsibility in the rough and
tumble world of pickups, and often times their
equally rough and tumble pickup owners.
For
2006, GM has made hybrid extend-cab Chevy Silverados
(and companion GMC Sierras) available nationwide.
That followed launch two years ago in environmentally
sensitive Alaska, California, Florida, Nevada,
Oregon and Washington. For those dubious about
whether such new technology will stand the test
of time, GM includes an eight-year, 100,000-mile
warranty on all hybrid components of the system
that combines a 14-kilowatt electric motor (that
functions as a generator) mated to a 295 horsepower
Vortec 5300 V-8 gasoline engine. Compared with
more advanced hybrid systems, it seems a good
match of insurance policy and reasonable options
cost ($1,500) for a basic hybrid system in a high
$20K base vehicle GM proclaims will boost fuel
economy by 10 percent. EPA fuel economy estimates
are 18/21 for two-wheel-drive models and 17/19
for 4X4s. Gains come in part from the engine's
stop-restart function when the vehicle is coasting
or idling at a light, and from braking that helps
recharge a bank of batteries under second row
seating.
Since
a lot of pickup duty can be heavy duty, Chevy's
hybrid Silverado had to haul and tow with the
best of them. GM offers a heavy-duty suspension
package and rates top towing capacity at 7,700
pounds. Those first steps into hybrid land have
sometimes been dubbed hybrid-mild by critics.
GM's also readying the launch of more sophisticated
hybrid vehicles with 2007 models, the upcoming
Saturn VUE Greenline Hybrid and Chevy Malibu hybrid.
Also in the wings are "two-mode" hybrid
versions of the redesigned Chevy Tahoe and GMC
Yukon, expected to increase fuel economy by 25
percent, with technology developed in a pre-competitive,
cooperative agreement with DaimlerChrysler. That
follows the idea that getting the biggest size
and biggest selling vehicles into the hybrid fold
can benefit both the owner and the environment.
And for folks in the field who might need to run
some power equipment, there are four AC outlets
in the truck bed ready to provide the juice.
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