Hybrid Cadillac Escalade to be offered in fall of 2007
By JAMIE LAREAU AND RICHARD TRUETT | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 02/01/06, 11:19 am et
General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner confirmed that Cadillac will get its first hybrid vehicle in the fall of 2007 with the 2008 Escalade SUV.
Wagoner made the announcement Wednesday at the Baltimore transmission plant during a ceremony to name the plant as the builder of GM’s hybrid transmissions.
The hybrid version of the Escalade will use a new transmission made by GM’s Allison division. The two-mode hybrid system will be similar to what GM will use in the hybrid version of a Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs.
The hybrid Escalade will get a 25 percent gain in fuel economy, meaning the vehicle could get close to 30 mpg on the highway.
The supplier for the nickel-metal batteries to be used in the Escalade will be Panasonic EV, a Japanese company.
GM is spending $118 million to tool up for production of the hybrid transmissions.
Re: Hybrid Cadillac Escalade to be offered in fall of 2007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Synergetic
Okay, I was going to say I could live with the 2007 Escalade, but a freakin HYBRID!! Cadillac is coming close to becoming lame and too conservitive.
What do you mean by too conservative? Buyers are demanding vehicles with better gas mileage, and GM has failed to satisfy their customers demands up to this point. As I said above, I believe GMs late arrival to integrating the displacement on demand, and/or hybrid technology into their gas-guzzling SUVs [which are probably their best selling vehicles] is one of the reasons their vehicle sales and stock values have plummeted.
IMO continuing to offer the same poor selling product, and using ''employee pricing'' and other sales gimmicks to try to move those vehicles is what makes GM lazy and lame. They'll just be getting into the game with Toyota, Ford, Lexus, & Honda [and others] by offering hybrids. Waiting until 2007 to do so may prove to be too late given their current financial losses.
I definately approve of the 07 Lade design. I believe giving it the same [or more] horse power and offering buyers 20+ mpg would help it appeal to a larger market....other than loyal GM buyers like myself.
Re: Hybrid Cadillac Escalade to be offered in fall of 2007
I wouldn't drive on a electrical driven motor. I don't care how much gas it saves. I like the feeling of driving down the road on something non-hybrid. Hybrid vehicles are so close to making me laugh. If you can't afford gas, why the hell are you buying an Escalade in the first place? If its to start saving general gas in a non-selfish way, then thats rediculous. Its not like its going to last forever and thats when hybrid vehicles should come into the picture.
Into the game with Toyota, Ford, Lexus & Honda... lol
More like Toyota, Ford, Lexus & Honda is trying to get in the game with GM/Cadillac.
First time I saw that truck on a commercial, I thought quickly they constructed that design from the EXT.
Re: Hybrid Cadillac Escalade to be offered in fall of 2007
What is the point of a hybrid escalade? If you want good gas mileage then don't get a damn full size luxury SUV lol. I'd also highly doubt it would have the same power as a regular Escalade, try driving a hyrbid Ford Escape and seeing if it has the same power as the gas V6 version. It's more like it has the same power as the 4 cylinder gas version really. Those batteries add a lot of weight to the car, and you'll probably make up for what you save in gas when it comes time to service them.
Having an Escalade should mean you can afford to live with the consequences, buying a hybrid model is like going to Mc Donald's and ordering a diet coke with your double quarter pounder and large fry....
Re: Hybrid Cadillac Escalade to be offered in fall of 2007
Everyone has their opinion and I understand your reasoning. I certainly didn't buy my Escalade because I thought it was the most economical vehicle on the roadways. I see no reason GM couldn't incorporate the DOD [displacement on demand] function into their large SUVs. It can be done without sacrificing power and would offer some increase in mileage. It seems to me this sort of thing would be a no-brainer, which is why I occasionally believe the conspiracy theorists ideas about big oil companies being in kahoots with auto manufacturers.
Chrysler integrated DOD into their V8 300C with no noticeable loss of power. IMO GM has to meet customer demands for better gas mileage. And yes, people want their cake and to be able to eat it. A more efficient, more powerful V8 is possible. If you build it they will come.
Re: Hybrid Cadillac Escalade to be offered in fall of 2007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuntless
What is the point of a hybrid escalade? If you want good gas mileage then don't get a damn full size luxury SUV lol. I'd also highly doubt it would have the same power as a regular Escalade, try driving a hyrbid Ford Escape and seeing if it has the same power as the gas V6 version. It's more like it has the same power as the 4 cylinder gas version really. Those batteries add a lot of weight to the car, and you'll probably make up for what you save in gas when it comes time to service them.
Having an Escalade should mean you can afford to live with the consequences, buying a hybrid model is like going to Mc Donald's and ordering a diet coke with your double quarter pounder and large fry....
Exactly.
Also, I would feel dumb jumping out at the mall and hooking my vehicle up to a charging machine so I couldn't make it back home, 15 miles away!! lol
