MILFORD, Mich. — General Motors is planning a fall 2007 launch for its highly anticipated so-called "dual-mode" or two-mode gas/electric hybrid version of the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks.
Company insiders tell Inside Line the hybrid version of the trucks will see a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the conventional trucks, with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg. The hybrid trucks will also be outfitted with a new V8 engine with an unspecified displacement that makes approximately 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
Both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are capable of using the new hybrid system. It is unclear which truck will be the first to get the hybrid system — or whether both will get it at the same time. However, because of the hybrid's anticipated expense — at least $3,000 more than the gas-powered versions of the trucks — GM may be leaning toward introducing it first in the GMC-brand trucks, which are aimed at a more affluent audience.
GM's dual-mode hybrid trucks will be equipped with the new V8 and two electric motors that control two planetary gearsets. Another key piece of equipment will be a fuel-optimization computer. "Dual mode" refers to the hybrid's transmission setup, which allows the truck to shift between a conventional 4-speed automatic transmission and a continuously variable transmission. The shifting between transmission modes is done with the help of the onboard fuel-optimization computer, which makes split-second calculations as to which transmission mode will be the best for conserving fuel. The work is done automatically, with no buttons to push by the driver.
GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner did not mention the dual-mode hybrid in his formal remarks at the Wednesday reveal here of the 2007 Silverado and Sierra, although he emphasized that the big trucks are "the most important part of our turnaround plan."
The company said it will begin production of the light-duty variants of the big trucks in October, with a February launch slated for the heavy-duty variants. The company noted that all variants of the trucks will be launched within a five-month timeframe, as opposed to a rolling two-year launch for the previous generation.
What this means to you: GM plans to come out fighting with its hybrid full-size truck next year. But will it be too pricey for its blue-collar audience?
Company insiders tell Inside Line the hybrid version of the trucks will see a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the conventional trucks, with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg. The hybrid trucks will also be outfitted with a new V8 engine with an unspecified displacement that makes approximately 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
Both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are capable of using the new hybrid system. It is unclear which truck will be the first to get the hybrid system — or whether both will get it at the same time. However, because of the hybrid's anticipated expense — at least $3,000 more than the gas-powered versions of the trucks — GM may be leaning toward introducing it first in the GMC-brand trucks, which are aimed at a more affluent audience.
GM's dual-mode hybrid trucks will be equipped with the new V8 and two electric motors that control two planetary gearsets. Another key piece of equipment will be a fuel-optimization computer. "Dual mode" refers to the hybrid's transmission setup, which allows the truck to shift between a conventional 4-speed automatic transmission and a continuously variable transmission. The shifting between transmission modes is done with the help of the onboard fuel-optimization computer, which makes split-second calculations as to which transmission mode will be the best for conserving fuel. The work is done automatically, with no buttons to push by the driver.
GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner did not mention the dual-mode hybrid in his formal remarks at the Wednesday reveal here of the 2007 Silverado and Sierra, although he emphasized that the big trucks are "the most important part of our turnaround plan."
The company said it will begin production of the light-duty variants of the big trucks in October, with a February launch slated for the heavy-duty variants. The company noted that all variants of the trucks will be launched within a five-month timeframe, as opposed to a rolling two-year launch for the previous generation.
What this means to you: GM plans to come out fighting with its hybrid full-size truck next year. But will it be too pricey for its blue-collar audience?
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