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Test Drive: GMC Yukon Hybrid

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by cwerdna, Aug 25, 2007.

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  1. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Aug 26 2007, 02:55 PM) [snapback]502445[/snapback]</div>
    What part of... "Keeping the pressure on to spread that technology is the key." ...would you like explained?
     
    #41 john1701a, Aug 26, 2007
  2. Jonnycat26

    Jonnycat26 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 26 2007, 08:51 PM) [snapback]502533[/snapback]</div>
    All of it, I guess. I don't understand why you slam the technology when I, some random guy on the internet, can't provide you with sales projections. :rolleyes:
     
    #42 Jonnycat26, Aug 26, 2007
  3. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Aug 26 2007, 10:36 AM) [snapback]502325[/snapback]</div>
    So how much bigger does the Hi hy need to be to qualify as full sized ... maybe Suburban / land boat sized?
     
    #43 hill, Aug 27, 2007
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I wonder if the PT Cruiser has compromised safety standards because trucks have different safety standards don't they?
     
    #44 patsparks, Aug 27, 2007
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Aug 26 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]502441[/snapback]</div>
    Two-mode hybrid was orginally designed for a bus (GM-Allison). We have yet to see how far this architecture can be scalable to say, a family sedan.

    Affordable is good but how about the maintenance? I want to see the maintenance schedule for the Yukon hybrid. How often does the ATF need to change? Will you ever need to replace the clutches? How much will it cost to fix the two-mode tranaxle? What will be the warranty on the hybrid related components?

    Will it has belt driven components and how often do you need to replace the belt?
     
    #45 usbseawolf2000, Aug 27, 2007
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 26 2007, 03:09 AM) [snapback]502276[/snapback]</div>
    Pennsylvania classifies the Tahoe as a station wagon. Which means it's cheaper to register than a smaller, lighter pick-up.

    If the new Tundra catches on, I won't be surprised if Toyota reclassifies the Matrix.
     
    #46 Trollbait, Aug 27, 2007
  7. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Aug 27 2007, 01:04 PM) [snapback]502793[/snapback]</div>
    That's why I want GM to make a serious commitment to the technology.

    Wimping out afterward isn't new for them. Maintenance (especially warranty liability) would provide an excuse.

    If it is affordable and works flawlessly (cough), there should be no reason not to provide it in large quantities and many vehicles.
     
    #47 john1701a, Aug 27, 2007
  8. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Aug 27 2007, 09:31 AM) [snapback]502693[/snapback]</div>
    Not quite, only Tahoe sized. The highlander is classified as a mid-sized SUV.

    http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com...-guides-cga.htm

    To me the Highlander is huge. I think my Prius and VW Jetta Wagon are large cars, but in the weird land we call America, my Jetta is only a "Compact" car and a Toyota Highlander is a"Mid-Sized" SUV.
     
    #48 JSH, Aug 27, 2007
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2007...ybrids-to-.html has another look at the hybrid Tahoe. They were fairly neutral about it but there were some choice quotes:
    "The automaker estimates the new Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon "Two-Mode" hybrid SUVs will get about 20 mpg, city or highway. Indeed, driving around New York city last month, making no attempt at maximizing fuel economy, the trip computer showed 19 mpg. Feathering the gas to maximize driving on the batteries brought that up to an indicated 24 mpg. Our sophisticated fuel economy testing has shown differences between real-world MPG and what trip computers project. Basically, we'll believe it when we see it (or, in this case, test it).

    That's not bad for a full-sized SUV, but it's worse than any hybrid we've tested before. When you consider the performance, 20 mpg starts sounding better, though
    ...

    Partially offset by other weight savings, that pushes the Tahoe hybrid's total to about 6,000 pounds
    ...
    However, most minivans can return similar mileage overall and better on the highway, ride better, and have more space inside. The only real advantage is for buyers who need towing ability and want better mileage than a typical full-sized SUV during most of their driving when they're not towing."
     
    #49 cwerdna, Sep 3, 2007
  10. Topgas

    Topgas New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hampdenwireless @ Aug 25 2007, 02:41 PM) [snapback]502057[/snapback]</div>
    Please keep the hybrid stuff out of work trucks. The key word here is work, not driving a pickup to get to work. I haul 10K loads all the time with my truck for my business and last thing I want is fuel economy. Keep the power in vehicles that actually need it and hybrid the rest.
     
    #50 Topgas, Sep 4, 2007
  11. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Topgas @ Sep 4 2007, 06:15 AM) [snapback]506697[/snapback]</div>
    I have a friend with a pickup and a Prius. The pickup is only used to haul loads up north to/from his cabin when absolutely necessary, due to the extreme expense compared to the Prius. Fuel economy is far from the last thing.

    The misconception about power ultimately being lost is common. But taking a good look at the torque gain from electric motors and where electricity use is heading, the transition will naturally make sense over time.
     
    #51 john1701a, Sep 4, 2007
  12. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Sep 4 2007, 06:04 AM) [snapback]506718[/snapback]</div>
    The real challenge that GM (and any other manufacturer that wants to play in the market for full size SUVs) is facing is to be able to provide the level of functionality (primarily carrying & towing capacity) within a footprint that achieves much higher efficiency while keeping reliability at least as good as present technology provides. I doubt that the first generation of full size hybrid SUV will be the offering that gets GM to where it needs to be. But at least give GM credit for making the effort. I think that GM will need to work on the reliability of the hybrid drivetrain in towing applications. And, I think GM will have to put some serious effort into a diet for the trucks. 5,500 - 6,000 lbs. is not the prescription for high mpg results.
     
    #52 apriusfan, Sep 4, 2007
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