Lambdas: no hybrids until Gen II

[ronald mcretard]

Exclusive: GM to hybridize Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, GMC Sierra

The Washington Auto Show is over and I have news of three new hybrids from GM. I asked GM's car show floor specialists which cars GM plan to turn into hybrids? I was told there would be an Acadia and Sierra hybrid by a GMC specialist and Outlook hybrid by a Saturn specialist. I don't think GMC, Saturn or GM has said officially they would turn the Acadia and Outlook vehicles into hybrids. GM has said they plan to release a hybrid every 3 months for the next 4 years. So, I guess it's possible GM told the specialists before releasing the plans.

Continued at link... http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/01...dia-gmc-sierr/

[Ambalanche]

This is great if true! GM is getting hybrids in vehicles in which they will make the most difference. That being said, I thought I read on Autoblog yesterday where GM was NOT going to put hybrids in the Lambdas...

[JVal14]

It makes all kinds of sense to do it. Given the effect of the 2-mode system on the 900s, the mileage for the Lambdas should be impressive; hopefully it could boost acceleration a bit as well. I wonder if this could replace V8 options that were in the works.

[Phoenix]

I just read that they would not be going hybrid anytime soon yesterday on AutoBlog.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/28/g...n-sierra-will/

[Bggriffi]

Hmmmm... An SUV that doesn't suck (ford escape) and gets good gas mileage. I wouldn't mind having one.

[bcjohnso99]

Originally Posted by JVal14

It makes all kinds of sense to do it. Given the effect of the 2-mode system on the 900s, the mileage for the Lambdas should be impressive; hopefully it could boost acceleration a bit as well. I wonder if this could replace V8 options that were in the works.

Be careful! The 900's have a 4 speed auto and the Lambdas have a 6 speed so the mileage improvement for the Lambdas will likely be a smaller percentage.

Since the 3.6l does not have AFM, it might be a good idea to mate a 2.8l DI v6 with the two mode. The work done on the Vue 2-mode suggest otherwise though.

[E. Haskell]

Being 500lbs lighter than the 900s should really help with the mileage.

[CamaroCrazy]

Originally Posted by bcjohnso99

Since the 3.6l does not have AFM, it might be a good idea to mate a 2.8l DI v6 with the two mode. The work done on the Vue 2-mode suggest otherwise though.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't GM working on replacing the 3.6 V6 (the one without DI) with a 3.0 V6 DI and refraining from making a 2.8 V6 DI? I think a 3.0 V6 DI would make equal amounts of power and torque as the current non-DI 3.6, but with better fuel economy and lower emissions. I think a 2.8 V6 DI may not make enough power to be a suitable replacement for the non-DI 3.6. I thought they were increasing the displacement.

[logansowner]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

Being 500lbs lighter than the 900s should really help with the mileage.

And not being shaped like a brick oughta help too.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by bcjohnso99

Be careful! The 900's have a 4 speed auto and the Lambdas have a 6 speed so the mileage improvement for the Lambdas will likely be a smaller percentage.

Since the 3.6l does not have AFM, it might be a good idea to mate a 2.8l DI v6 with the two mode. The work done on the Vue 2-mode suggest otherwise though.

Not all have a 4 speed auto. My Yukon XL Denali has a 6 speed auto...

[DuSpinnst]

AHS-F in the Lambda's would be the IDENTICAL system seen in the Two-Mode VUE car at NAIAS.

Not one change in the hardware. The software may be calibrated differently due to the size differences but that would be the only change.

[ronald mcretard]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

AHS-F in the Lambda's would be the IDENTICAL system seen in the Two-Mode VUE car at NAIAS.

Not one change in the hardware. The software may be calibrated differently due to the size differences but that would be the only change.

Hey DuSpinnst, what do you think of the article Phoenix posted that refutes the one I posted?

[Slideways]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

Not all have a 4 speed auto. My Yukon XL Denali has a 6 speed auto...

Exactly, and the 6.2L in your Denali can get better mileage than a 5.3L crew cab with a 4-speed.

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

Hey DuSpinnst, what do you think of the article Phoenix posted that refutes the one I posted?

I believe nsap has information that points to a 2010 MY debut of the Outlook two mode hybrid. Hmmmm...

[HoosierRon]

Big GM Crossovers not going hybrid anytime soon

After a report here on ABG yesterday that General Motors was set to introduce hybrid versions of their full-size Lambda crossovers, I decided to call up Brian Corbett GM's spokesman for hybrid programs. The Lambdas include the Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia. According to Corbett, there are no immediate plans to hybridize the Lambdas. During a conversation with GM Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November he indicated that the shape of the engine compartment of the big CUVs was too narrow for the two-mode transmission to fit. Corbett said that a second-generation version was being designed but it was still at least 3-4 years away. The current mild hybrid system also isn't suitable for the bigger vehicles although the second-generation version of that might be adapted. That, too, is still three years away.