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The Full sized trucks should achieve a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg. (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116373)

Edmunds Inside Line - August 2, 2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Chevrolet_Silverado_DualMode_Hybrid.jpg
07 Chevrolet Silverado: 365 HP/350 Ft. lbs and the DualMode Hybrid Drivetrain.

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?

What I want to see is someone making small trucks again. Did you realize that none of the major companies (GMC, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, etc.) make a pickup that is actual considered a compact truck? An S-10 or a Ford Ranger are now mid-sized trucks, and their replacements are even bigger. I would be in the market for a small truck, that could haul 2 people and some sheets of plywood, bags of cement, etc., and get 30+mpg in average driving. But no, the bozos at GM are making a big truck with a complex system, getting poorer mpg than any vehicle should be allowed to do.

But that is how the American auto makers have been for as long as I can remember--remember how long it took them to make small fuel efficient quality cars after the VWs and Toyotas and Datsuns of the 1970s?--have they done it yet? Any small efficient cars that they sold (Geo Metro comes to mind) have since been discontinued.

I, too, have often wondered what brought about the demise of the light-duty truck. I used to drive a Ford Ranger for work many years ago (back when it was a light truck). It was reliable, thrifty, and did everything it promised to do.

I don't know why GM (and Toyota, for that matter), has the idea that all trucks nowadays need 350+ HP and a gargantuan V8, when the reality is that most of these trucks rarely get utilized for even a fraction of their full capacity.

When I was a roofer, even the modest Ranger could carry a bed stacked high with tools and supplies without complaint, and it only had a v6 and got uper 20s for gas mileage. (It probably could have gotten 30, but I was 19 years old then and drove like a jerk!)

A guy 15 miles north of me in Denton, Texas has modded his 1994 Tacoma pickup truck to do 32mpg at 70mph - up from 25mpg before customizing it.

Golden Oldie Article (http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=870)

It goes beyond the Honda Ridgeline. Ford, GM, or DCX could offer something like this on compact, mid-size, and large pickups. It should not take near as long as offering a hybrid powerplant with great results. They could upgrade Phil Knox has done by making the bed cover easy to setup and remove.

Hi WisJim:

___You might be interested in the following news item from a few weeks ago … GM hides fuel-efficient small cars and trucks - in Brazil. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1186)

___Personally, I found the DualMode into P/U news item very interesting for a number of reasons … We are talking about trucks that can tow 5,000 + pounds yet receive 25 combined when not towing. This is GM’s Ace in the hole over and above all other manufacturers. If GM can keep Toyota from getting there hands on DualMode, they still have a shot at a come back … That is IF they follow through w/ the larger P/U’s and SUV’s receiving DualMode at a non-ridiculous cost as well as install a downsized DualMode on every one of their compact, mid-sized, and large sedans. How about the Buick Lucerne w/ DOD capable Northstar V8 with a downsized Dual Mode? A Pontiac G6 w/ an Atkinsonized low load cam in the I4 and the downsized DualMode? How about a Chevrolet Equinox w/ the 3.4 L using an Atkinsonized low load cam and the downsized DualMode? In particular, I am speaking immediately.

___The other interesting item is what does Ford have to battle DualMode? DCX has their hands on DualMode via the GM/MB/BMW development partnership so you can expect a continual rollout of DualMode drivetrains into their current lineup of non-fuel efficient Trucks and SUV’s. Ford has nothing but the 6-speed transmission co-developed with GM to attach to their current yet very inefficient 6’s and 8’s? This has me very concerned given Ford’s eCVT does not appear to scale well into the midsized + Truck/SUV courtesy of the Toyota HiHy/RXh?

___I have seen many pronouncements from GM about hybrid drive trains not being cost effective or profitable … All the while they are discounting $50,000 fully loaded SUV’s by > $10K just to get them off the lots! Toyota’s HSD appears to be a $3 - $3.5K upcharge OEM and looking over the compact construction of DualMode, I am thinking maybe a $2 - $2.5K OEM upcharge in total. Who here would not purchase a new vehicle with just a $2 - $2.5K upcharge while receiving 30 - 50% higher FE then the non-hybrid version?

___Will GM follow through with adding just the basic premium for DualMode or will they charge a stupid amount over and above the non-hybrid and lose it all including the Corporation?

___Chuck, I think there are plenty of ways to beat the EPA and massive aero mods while taking away the utility of a P/U is not the right answer … See sig for one.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I wonder how downsized a 2Mode can be. It was originally developed for busses and diesel locomotives. It seems to me that a beefed-up BAS might be better for cars and small SUVs.

Since Toyota snoops all the forums, they have no doubt seen various
people [myself included] maintaing that it would be nice if they'd
*tell* us if, say, existing Prius fuelsystems would or would
not be ethanol-ready as they come, and if not then which parts
would need to be upgraded, and then to back that up by offering
an easily installable fuel-composition sensor and ECU upgrade
to handle the different A/F mixture. It would be SO EASY.
.
But Toyota seems to maintain that they've got no plans for flex
fuel, which is bullpuckey since they're already selling into
the Brazilian market.
.
Not that I necessarily want my prius to go yellow, but in the
interest of fairness and versatility ... c'mon, guys.
.
_H*