Cadillac Escalade Hybrid!

[bennelson]

I just saw a TV ad for the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid!!!!

Is this total old news that I haven't heard about?

Is an Escalade Hybrid an Oxymoron, or a great way for people who are going to drive those anyways to save gas?

[cfg83]

bennelson -

I just looked at the link to the press release in the lower left corner. It's dated November 9, 2007. I don't pay too much attention to it because of it's weight, so I am not aware of it's abilities.

I am aware of the GM hybrid tranny, which is supposed to be maginificent. The electric motor is built into the tranny. Auto-stop and V8->V4 cylinder deactivation.

Google google google ... Here's the article on the tranny I was thinking of :

Three GM SUVs with Two-Mode Hybrid Engines | Green Car .com

A Cadillac Escalade SUV that gets up to 20 mpg in city driving? General Motors says that its 2009 luxury SUV will deliver more than a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy in the city when equipped with the company’s new two-mode hybrid system. This is the same percentage increase as the 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid and Green Car Journal’s 2008 Green Car of the Year, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, although one mpg less estimated city fuel economy than these latter two. While the Escalade’s fuel economy is not up there with a Prius, this is worlds better than the 12 mpg EPA city rating for a non-hybrid 2008 Escalade and represents an intelligent application of technology to improve environmental performance.

GM’s 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrids will be appearing in dealerships any time now, while the Escalade variant will be available next summer. Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra two-mode hybrid pickups will also show up in 2008. The two-mode hybrid is the product of a joint development program between GM, DaimlerChrysler, and BMW that began in 2004. The technology is based on the very successful Allison hybrid transmission used in large buses now operating in many U.S. cities.

CarloSW2

[jamesqf]

"A Cadillac Escalade SUV that gets up to 20 mpg in city driving?"

My mind boggles at the use of "up to" in relation to "20 mpg".

[dcb]

This is like something the other Ben would post when he wants to stir the pot

[RH77]

One of those Escalade pickup trucks passed me today (EXT?) Still trying to figure that one out.

This is where Cadillac is missing the point AGAIN. In the early 1980's, they introduced the V8-6-4 engine, the Cimmaron, and smaller engines to appeal to fuel saving Cadillac customers. But during a gas crisis or recession, new Cadillac buyers aren't concerned about FE. As a result, Lincoln cleaned-up the market with their Town Car.

If it's Greenwashing, to big, too late.

RH77

[Red]

Originally Posted by cfg83

The electric motor is built into the tranny.

God help when that goes bad.......

[mrmad]

Originally Posted by Red

God help when that goes bad.......

That's what I was thinking. Probably cost about what a Smart car goes for to repair it.

[Red]

Upside to that is, I'll bet we could find em cheap in 5 years. Bolt up a 6spd behind it, drop the gears in the diff, and it just might actually get more than 20 MPG without all the fancy dodads

[tasdrouille]

The Escalade hybrid is plain stupid imho. But for some people it makes sense, like the guy driving in the ad I saw. He would be driving an Escalade anyway, so it might at least be an hybrid. I have to give credit to their marketing dept though. Their other ad for the CTS is just brilliant with the "when you turn your car on, does it return the favor?" at the end.

[Tony Raine]

I love the idea of making the "mammoth" SUV's get better mileage. yeah, Richie Rich can afford the cost, so it doesn't matter to them if it gets 1 mile per gallon and gas is $10 a gallon.

but, those with endless amounts of money can now jump on the "green" bandwagon and look cool because they are driving a hybrid. and whether THEY care or not, they are using less fuel, which lowers our overall demand....