More Hybrid SUVs on the Way from Saturn and GMC?
Though the news is as yet unconfirmed by General Motors, reports coming out of the Washington D.C. auto show from friends over at AutoblogGreen have The General hybridizing a whole new batch of SUVs in the relatively near future.
Show floor specialists from GMC seem to be under the impression that the Acadia and Sierra are due to receive hybrid powerplants, while similar members of Saturn’s staff believe there will be an Outlook hybrid. The specialists were on hand to answer questions at the recent D.C. show, but unfortunately said they were unable to have their comments recorded.
Whether the GMC and Saturn show folks were speaking the truth, or just under some sort of misconception, is unclear. What is clear however, is that three new hybrid SUVs flying under GM’s flag would mesh well with the company’s stated goal of releasing a new hybrid every three months, for the next four years.
+ AutoblogGreen: Exclusive: GM to hybridize Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, GMC Sierra
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Comments
Cicero
The 2.9 diesel that Caddy showed in Europe would be better, since it would have great towing capacity and fuel economy
Ducati Minor
I don't see it happening. The mild-hybrids GM has out haven't won any fans in the auto press or with consumers. $3,000 for 3 mpg makes no sense.
Cicero
Ducati makes a good point for a diesel instead of hybrid
Ryan T.
I agree with both. Hybrids are simply hype in my opinion lacking in power (plus all those batteries to dispose of when used up or maybe recycled). Diesel is truly the option we should be picking up as Americans. Great low end torque, superior gas mileage, longevity and they are as clean as we need them to be with ultra low sulfur diesel (a 5% biodiesel blend is awesome and all that's needed to help really clean up diesel especially ULSD). Plus they have REAL towing capacity with huge torque numbers in low RPM's
Mercedes is using their 6cylinder turbo diesel in many models. Their ML has the following specs and these could well be taken as likely results for a turbo diesel Outlook. One thing to note is that MPG does not go up drastically.
Acceleration1 0 — 60 in 8.0 seconds.
Fuel economy:
EPA estimate2 18 mpg
Highway estimate3 24 mpg
Towing capacity4 7,200 lb (Class III)
Net power 215 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Net torque 398 lb-ft @ 1,600 — 2,400 rpm
Compression ratio 16.5:1
Fuel requirement
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.
While these numbers are not break through in terms of MPG - they are great all around performance numbers and make the most sense for a full size SUV like the Saturn Outlook.
I'd love to see a large 2.5 liter turbo diesel 4 cylinder option which could very well have 300lb of torque (probably around 150Hp) but should afford considerably better MPG (maybe 24/28).
However there are so many factors that go into production I can't even begin to pretend to know what I'm talking about.
Just my 14cents (used to be 2 but with inflation and the actual cost to produce a penny these days in the USA...)
Ryan T.
well speak of the devil...my thoughts on a 2.5liter clean turbo diesel motor in an SUV are not far off from reality.
I was poking around a bit more on the Mercedes website and their future GLK model has much better specs than I had imagined for a 4banger turbo diesel. Plus there are always aftermarket companies that offer "chip upgrades" that can easily increase power 15-25% with a $600-$1000 investment (if you need more power).
I bet the 7speed auto helps to improve fuel economy numbers too.
http://www.mbusa.com/models/future/glk/index.do
Powerful 2.2 liter BLUETEC clean diesel 4-cylinder with two-stage turbocharger, delivering 168 horsepower and 369 lb-ft torque
7-speed automatic transmission
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