Escalade will use the same 2-Mode hybrid powertrain as both the Yukon and Tahoe hybrids. It was on display at the auto show in Miami this week.
According to GM, the use of the hybrid system increases fuel economy by at least 50% anyway. If you figure that the standard 6.2L Escalade is good for 9 or 10 real-world MPG combined, it should be good for at least 18 mpg or so on the highway. We doubt it'll match the 21/22 (2WD) and 20/20 (4WD) city/hwy EPA ratings of the Tahoe Hybrid simply because the 'Slade outweighs it by 110 pounds in 2WD form and 181 when equipped with 4WD. autoblog.com
GM doesn't plan on lightening the vehicle as they have done some feather tricks with the Yukon and Tahoe. Their target customers don't want to loose any...luxury? It can tow 6,000 lbs with the 2WD truck and 5,700 lbs with the 4WD.
The thought of parking, driving something that huge, or paying $62,000 for something that consumes fuel at a rate at more than double of an efficient car is somewhat horrifying to me, but a 50% increase in fuel economy on paper is amazing without changing the weight of the vehicle.
I would love to see fuel saving technology applied to the Cobalt, GM's home grown economy 4 cylinder car that gets about as the same mileage (24/33) as the V-6 in the new Malibu (22/30). While GM has taken great care to build a really nice looking new Malibu
, the hybrid version is only a couple miles better than their gas-only version (24/32) for a hefty surcharge.
"EPA-EST. 30 HIGHWAY MPG IS PRETTY COMMON AT CHEVY.", reads chevrolet.com/fueleconomy/GM is sliding into the the hybrid scene with the towing, big SUV domestic luxury scene, a market not tapped into as deeply by the Japanese players. Lower volume, higher profit margin vehicles are less risky and allow a softer roll out in the event their new technology has a few glitches.
Yes, yes... safe, improving mileage in their segment, working in an unexploited niche..selling green as a premium feature... a place card hybrid nameplate for a car with fuel economy future. American car drivers want... I can hear the executives talking.
I am getting sleepy.
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