Yukon Hybrid Debut

[plane]

Well, not quite for sale, but the GMC Yukon Hybrid has made its world wide web debut.
And a grand one it is - complete with PDF download.



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http://www.gmc.com/yukonhybrid/index.jsp

[Butz]

Rush Limbaugh on his show yesterday mentioned it among other cars Bob Lutz showed him. He said he saw some cool stuff, I hope he's right.

[Cabana Boy]

Very nice overall, but how much? I like how GM differentiated it for those who want to make a green statement.

I wonder what the extreme tree-huggers will think of large hubrid SUV's anyway. Who cares. It should sell well.

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by Cabana Boy

Very nice overall, but how much? I like how GM differentiated it for those who want to make a green statement.

I wonder what the extreme tree-huggers will think of large hubrid SUV's anyway. Who cares. It should sell well.

I'm also a little concerned about the pricing. I read elsewhere on here tonight that Lutz said the dual mode system cost as much as some small cars. That would not be acceptable IMO - or by the buying public, most likely.

I could probably talk my wife into a hybrid full size SUV for our next vehicle, but it's probably economically not worth it. A "regular" Yukon, if loaded, costs a lot more than we paid for our Pathfinder, and the Hybrid will be even more expensive. I'd probably have to drive 300k miles to break even.

I'd sooner just buy a TerraPass to offset my carbon footprint.

www.terrapass.com

I haven't bought one, but I have considered it. It would be $75 per year to offset the carbon impact of our Nissan.

[asim]

You got me all excited for nothing. I thought that it was hitting dealers already. hahaa. I don't think it is not until the 2008MY vehicles start rolling out though. lol

[genjy]

One of the main points of small hybrids like the Civic Hybrid, Insight, and Prius is that they are affordable and attainable.

If the 2-mode hybrid system costs as much as a small car, then who will actually buy these expensive trucks? Is this going to be Quadrasteer all over again?

[Saaj]

I think it's actually a lot more feasible than it might seem, provided that this hybrid system is substantially superior to the lead-acid nightmare that was the Silverado hybrid.

A fullsize SUV, above all else, needs lots of low-end torque, as well as excellent control input. An electric motor can generate plenty of torque from 0-1200 RPM, give or take a few hundred revs, and does not need a physical driveshaft to alter the speed of any wheel at any time. This makes for lightning-fast traction control and a very smooth, powerful torque curve at the low end. If GM can produce a true hybrid system like Toyota's, rather than mild hybrids like Honda and others, I see some serious potential.

[marinerbc]

Originally Posted by genjy

One of the main points of small hybrids like the Civic Hybrid, Insight, and Prius is that they are affordable and attainable.

Oh wait..you were SERIOUS about that?

You had better go see your friendly neighbourhood Toyota or Honda con artist in that case, and get a reality check.

[King Riffle]

Meh, that big chrome grille looks wierd on the Yukon. The color does too. I like the Tahoe Hybrid though.

When will we see epa estimates?

[genjy]

Originally Posted by marinerbc

Oh wait..you were SERIOUS about that?

You had better go see your friendly neighbourhood Toyota or Honda con artist in that case, and get a reality check.

Why not?

Base Civic Hybrid is $22k MSRP
Base Prius $22k MSRP
Base Insight $19k MSRP

Those are pretty affordable prices.

[rhvfd10]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

I'm also a little concerned about the pricing.

I'd sooner just buy a TerraPass to offset my carbon footprint.

www.terrapass.com

I haven't bought one, but I have considered it. It would be $75 per year to offset the carbon impact of our Nissan.

That whole thing reminds me of the practice of offering sin indulgences for sale by the catholic church that Martin Luther took and made a whole new religion over. To say that if I give the church 5 bucks to curse or Algore $5 to drive my truck I am somehow a better person is ridiculous.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by rhvfd10

That whole thing reminds me of the practice of offering sin indulgences for sale by the catholic church that Martin Luther took and made a whole new religion over. To say that if I give the church 5 bucks to curse or Algore $5 to drive my truck I am somehow a better person is ridiculous.

Seriously. Talk about increasing the cost of driving. Id be $49 for my car..no way thats a 360 game

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by Cabana Boy

Very nice overall, but how much? I like how GM differentiated it for those who want to make a green statement.

I wonder what the extreme tree-huggers will think of large hubrid SUV's anyway. Who cares. It should sell well.

I believe that everyone pretty much is aware improving the fuel economy of trucks and SUV's will have a far greater impact than getting a Civic/Corolla driver to move to a hybrid.

A realworld 20-25% improvement in FE for a whole class of large vehicles such as BoF SUV's would be a huge statement. Kudo's to GM for getting there first.

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by genjy

Why not?

Base Civic Hybrid is $22k MSRP
Base Prius $22k MSRP
Base Insight $19k MSRP

Those are pretty affordable prices.

And these prices are before discounts. Getting a Prius at invoice or less is a snap now. A typical transaction price is from just over $20K Base model to just over $22K for a mid trim model.

This with increased availability are the two reasons that sales have soared this year.

[megeebee]

Does anyone know when production of the Escalade is set to begin?