Green Bowtie: Chevrolet Volt and Tahoe Hybrid

Jeffrey Ross — Mon, 21 May 2007 19:27:00 GMT

After years of resting on their laurels and raking in every last cent from the SUV and crossover boom of the 1990s, American automotive companies realized that to get out of the red, they must get into the green.

Ford had a bit of a head start releasing the Escape hybrid in 2004, but General Motors and Chrysler are not wasting any time playing catch up in the quest to produce more fuel efficient vehicles.

Responding to recent criticism about falling behind technologically, General Motors may actually be the leader in hybrid technology by the end of the decade. Chevrolet could benefit the most from GM’s green push as the company is set to have at least five hybrid vehicles on the market. The most important of which will be the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt by 2010 and the two-mode hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe scheduled for a fall 2007 debut.

The Chevrolet Volt concept was first showed at the 2007 North American International Auto Show to rave reviews in January and has only gained in popularity since. The Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which General Motors hopes to have in showrooms by the 2010 model year. Unlike GM’s first try at an electric vehicle, the 1997-1999 EV1, the Volt seats up to four passengers and comes in an attractive and sporty design.

The most lauded feature of the Chevrolet Volt concept is the ability to drive 40 miles while using only electric power. This means that on an average daily commute, the Volt will consume absolutely no gasoline. Additionally, the Volt’s batteries can be fully charged by a standard 110-volt outlet in just six hours, which means that while the car is sitting during the workday the Volt can be recharge for another gasoline-free afternoon commute. A 1.0-liter, three cylinder gasoline engine helps to extend the overall range of the Volt and charges the batteries while driving.

The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid uses a more conventional hybrid technology than the Volt. The two-mode hybrid system, jointly developed by General Motors, BMW and DaimlerChrylser (see related Dodge Durango hybrid article), works with the Tahoe’s Vortec 5.3-liter V8 to improve overall fuel economy by 25 percent. Chevrolet’s 320-horsepower V8 uses the Active Fuel Management system to deactivate cylinders to further aid the improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe is visually differentiated from other Tahoe models by unique 12-spoke wheels and a more rounded front fascia to improve aerodynamics.

In addition to the 2008 Tahoe hybrid and the production version of the Volt concept, Chevrolet is also expected to produce hybrid models of the all-new Malibu, the Silverado and the Equinox by 2010.

Hybrid Hemi. Sweet!

Jeffrey Ross — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:15:00 GMT

By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com

In the muscle-car era, no other powerplant had as much impact as the iconic Hemi engine. The raw, unadulterated Hemi offered Dodge and Plymouth drivers hours of tire-shredding fun. Unfortunately, the legendary Hemi engine met its ultimate match in 1971: fuel economy.

When the Hemi-branded engines were revived in 2003, well-known Dodge commercials had everyone asking Dodge Ram drivers, “That thing gotta Hemi?” This fall, full-size SUV buyers will be able to counter the Hemi commercials with their own tagline: “That thing gotta hybrid? Sweet!”

A joint development between DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and BMW will bring Dodge and Chrysler their first hybrid vehicles; a two-mode hybrid version of the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen. The hybrid system will be paired up with the 335-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi engine featuring Multi-displacement System (MDS). DaimlerChrysler claims the pairing will improve overall fuel economy by 25 percent and a 40-percent gain during city driving alone.

The most unique aspect of this joint venture hybrid system is the transmission. While most of the hybrids on the market use a normal engine (gasoline or diesel) with two electric motors, the system that will find its way into the Durango incorporates the two electric motors into the transmission. This setup allows for high efficiency without sacrificing any power-handling capabilities such as acceleration or towing.

The two-mode hybrid transmission uses the two electric motors that act as an electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) and four conventional fixed gears. This combination ensures that the Durango and Aspen will fit a wide variety of applications. When the 2006 Dodge Durango was redesigned and the 2006 Chrysler Aspen was released, both featured a floor design that would seamlessly accept the new hybrid system. This allows both SUVs to offer the efficiency of a gas-electric hybrid but maintain the passenger and storage capacities of a conventional full-size SUV.

The MDS Hemi operates as a regular V8 during acceleration or under a load and seamlessly switches to operate as a four cylinder engine while cruising, coming to a stop or idling. For comparison, the 2007 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen get fuel economy of 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, while the 2008 hybrid version of the pair will get 20 mpg city and 22 mpg highway according to DaimlerChrylser claim. The MDS system alone improved fuel economy in the in the Hemi by 10 percent.

The first vehicle brought to market using this joint technology will be the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon this summer. By 2009, General Motors will offer the hybrid technology in its entire lineup of full-size pickups and SUVs sharing the GMT900 platform, ranging from the Chevrolet Silverado to the Cadillac Escalade. GM’s hybrid SUVs will be powered the 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V8 with the MDS-like Active Fuel Management.

New Car Reviews : ahs2

Green Bowtie: Chevrolet Volt and Tahoe Hybrid

Hybrid Hemi. Sweet!