GM Prepares To Roll Out Seven Passenger Hybrid GMC Yukon

[hatrack]

May 7, 2007 · Later this year, General Motors will offer a fuel-efficient SUV called the Yukon. The new model will be the only seven-passenger vehicle available as a hybrid, powered by gasoline and electricity. Steve Inskeep talks to Joseph White, Detroit bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal, about GM's fuel-efficient SUV.

EDIT

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10040654

[ulysses]

1. lipstick on a pig.

I guess every little bit helps, but does a 7-passenger SUV break 20 mpg even with a hybrid setup?

[jpak]

2. I heard 22 mpg highway on NPR this AM

whooptee whoo...

[flamin lib]

7. These vehicles could achieve a lot better economy with existing

technology. They're all classified as "small trucks" (minivans, crossovers and suvs) and not part of the CAFE formula. I had a Lincoln Mark VIII with 275 hp, 0-60 in six seconds, 5000 lbs, every luxury known to man and it got 28.8 mpg highway at 90 mph. A V6 ford in a Taurus gets 28 highway, put the same engine in a F-150 PU truck and it gets 17. Why? Different electronics in the fuel injection system. The Taurus has six injectors firing directly into the intake port on demand. The truck has six injectors firring in banks of three. Half the fuel arrives early and half late. True, the truck has lower gearing to increase work load but not enough to justify a 45% decease in mileage.

Remember that when you save $5 per vehicle on a brazillion vehicles things add up. Engineers lost their jobs because the Thunderbird (full size, $20,000) came in $500 over budget.

Make 'em all play by the same rules . . .

[One_Life_To_Give]

14. Injectors or aerodynamics?

I think the difference is more than just the injection and electronics. True the F-150 is more likely to need max torque and run sustained at max HP. Which are reasons to change the way fuel is injected. But at highway speeds the single largest factor in fuel consumption is Aerodynamics. The F-150 has a much larger frontal cross section than a Mark 8.

[Kolesar]

9. 15 city/21 hwy for the NON-hybrid Tahoe * 25% -> 19 city/26 hwy for the hybrid Tahoe

This is for a product with big towing capacity. That is pretty impressive.
http://www.chevrolet.com/hybrid/
Would you like it to come with an "ethics" chip that can be downloaded into the buyer?

[Captain Angry]

3. Looks like a Tahoe too.

Car and Driver is reporting a whopping 25% increase in fuel efficiency.

http://www.caranddriver.com/dailyautoinsider/12949/gm-shows-hybrid-versions-of-its-chevrolet-tahoe-and-gmc-yukon-suvs.html

Which means...

And I'm being generous...

Tahoe 2006 gets 15-22mpg
Tahoe 2008 Hybrid would then get (15*1.25) - (22*1.25) or 19 - 28.

Yukon 2006 gets 13-22mpg
Yukon 2008 Hybrid would then get (13*1.25) - (22*1.25) or 16 - 28.

We'll see about that.

But, then again, every little bit helps. Some people have 7 people in their family.

[kestrel91316]

6. Most the SUV's I see in LA have only ONE person in them.

[Captain Angry]

8. It's been AGES since I saw more than 3 in some of these things.

But there are valid needs for vehicles this large, so it is good to see a hybrid introduction. Especially when so few people are willing to downsize.

[NNadir]

4. This should compete with Arnie's Hydrogen Hummer.

The Hydrogen Hummer industry should feel threatened.

[kestrel91316]

5. (kestrel humming a little ditty about silk purses and sows' ears)

[Wilderness Sportsman]

10. 26mpg highway for a hybrid?

Yeah progress is better than no progress, but still.....

[Javaman]

11. Trying to put my finger on it...

and I have figured out what this reminds me of...the Simpson's of course!

The episode where homer and the family are in the witness protection program and the guys from the FBI are trying to train homer with having a new name. No matter how they try, homer just doesn't get it.

This is like the american public telling GM that they want a small fuel efficient car, but no matter how we try, GM just doesn't get it.

[Kolesar]

12. Maybe it's their ad agency's fault

They cannot figure out how to market anything except products to appeal to the rugged-individualist (yuk).

[AlecBGreen]

13. I think you guys are missing the point

Toyota has CRUSHED the big 3 automakers with the Prius and now they are finally realizing Americans are demanding greener, more efficient cars. If this gets Detroit moving in the right direction, its a good thing. Focus on the positive!

:hi:
-Alec

[One_Life_To_Give]

15. But is the Hybrid or Aero package the real story

I see from the GM website. They lowered the vehical and madfe other Aerodynamic Enhancements to the "Hybrid" version. Ya think maybe these improvements should be put all SUV's. I am certain the aftermarket will have plenty of Lify Kits available for those who feel they really need the ground clearance.