GMC Sierra Hybrid
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FUEL ECONOMY:
n/a MPG n/a L/100km
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BODY TYPE:
Pickup
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TECHNOLOGY:
Hybrid
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BASE MSRP:
n/a
The GMC Sierra Hybrid pickup, and the Silverado Hybrid, were the first hybrid trucks launched in the United States. With limited publicity, low production numbers, and negligible fuel economy improvements of about 2 mpg, the pair of gas-electric trucks were quietly introduced in 2004—and just as quietly dropped by GM in 2006.
But GM is back in the hybrid truck game. The company is the only automaker putting any kind of effort into pushing full-size pickups over the 20-mpg bump. GM makes its return with new improved hybrid technology capable of making the GMC Sierra Hybrid the most efficient full-size pickup truck on the market. The Sierra Hybrid will offer 40 percent higher city fuel economy and a 25 percent improvement in overall fuel mileage when compared with the gas version.
The hybrid system, developed in cooperation with Daimler and BMW, allows for limited gas-free all electric driving at low speeds, and can deactivate four of the eight cylinders in the 332-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 engine. That’s a big engine with lots of power. The core idea behind GM’s two-mode hybrid system—which is also found in the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, GMC Yukon and the upcoming Cadillac Escalade Hybrid—is to require no compromise from pickup truck owners, and to allow gas-savings at highway speeds and under heavy loads. The vehicle was designed to achieve maximum fuel savings even when the truck is fully loaded or towing a trailer.
The GMC Sierra Hybrid’s towing capacity does suffer slightly. The Sierra is adequate for towing up to 6100 pounds while some gas-powered Sierras can tow as much as 10,500 pounds. The other significant tradeoff on the Sierra Hybrid is the in-cabin space lost space behind the back row to make room for 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack.
For many buyers, that will be a fair trade in exchange for the significant fuel efficiency improvements, and for the engineering applied to delivering a very smooth ride. A new hydraulic mount located on the passenger side of the chassis provides an improvement in highway driving smoothness, particularly on rough or choppy road surfaces. The smoother suspension, combined with all-electric drive, will give the Sierra a very quiet ride.
Emissions-reducing efficiency-boosting strategies include the use of late intake valve closing and improved aerodynamics by virtue of a deeper front air dam, a tonneau cover, and low resistance tires. Also, the electrically driven 300-volt air conditioning compressor allows the standard three-zone AC system to cool the passenger compartment even when the gasoline engine is shut off.
The Sierra Hybrid’s eight-inch dashboard touch screen shows off how the power is shifting back and forth from gas to electric, as well as a tachometer with an Auto-Stop reading to indicate when the gasoline engine is shut off. The truck seats five or six adults.
Safety is another bonus. The stability control system, dual-stage frontal air bags and head curtain side air bags, grant the Sierra Hybrid the only five-star side-impact ratings in federal crash tests for a full-size pickup. The hybrid version of the Sierra will only be sold on crew-cab trucks in two and four wheel drive.
The Sierra Hybrid goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2008. Pricing has not been announced, but should run in the mid-$30,000s.
