Sounds to me like GM has given us yet another reason to criticize them.

Seriously, why are you going to half-ass a hybrid system into a vehicle to gain 2% to 5% in fuel economy. So that's what, at the very best, instead of getting 20 mpg, you will be getting 21 mpg. And with this, you have the annoyance of hearing the engine shut on and off periodically???? No thank you.

 

No "hybrid" is better than that. So far the only companies doing this right ar Honda, Toyota and Ford. And if Ford can pull it off, there's no reason GM has to resort to such mickey mouse technology. Today's consumers are smarter than that.

 

We are screwed! Why do we do everything half-assed!

 

It would make an appealing STANDARD add-on to Malibus to set them apart from other sedans, and would give another reason to buy a GM car, but would stink if made a pricey option. And in the Malibu's case, if mated to a 4-speed tranny that gets 5% worse fuel economy than a 5 or 6 speed auto, it makes very little sense. Just buy the import with the tranny with more gears and better fuel economy, that's what folks will do.

 

GM has 5 speeds on the way and I can't see GM charging much for this kind of mild hybrid technology.

I think it makes a lot of sence to make it standard add the cost to the base price and bill it as a very fuel efficent sedan (Malibu) or SUV (VUE).

A Malibu Sedan with 25/35 would look great in an ad.

 

MEMO TO THE CLUELESS AT THE TUBES:
No one will buy it. You will be criticized for offering it. Don't put it into production.

 

Nice technology and 5% improvement is 5%. It represents a great improvement for a normal vehicle (aka - non-hybrid). However, you can not sit around a badge these improvements as a hybrid. The minute GM stacks their hybrid Malibu next to a Prius, all remaining credibility will be totally lost. This is similar to DoD, in that it helps, but is really not using an alternative method to provide power. It is simply using less fuel through the same system.

 

GM has 5 speeds on the way and I can't see GM charging much for this kind of mild hybrid technology.

I think it makes a lot of sence to make it standard add the cost to the base price and bill it as a very fuel efficent sedan (Malibu) or SUV (VUE).

A Malibu Sedan with 25/35 would look great in an ad.

Why would BAS increase highway mileage? I don't think this will affect fuel economy at all. 2-5% of 20mpg is 0.4 to 1.0 mpg. And that's assuming you actually come to a complete stop, and stay stopped for a length of time. I would think that startup would use more fuel, then idling, for very short stops.

and if they do offer this as standard, please DO NOT raise the price of the car. Some of GM's MSRP's are already too high as it is.

 

If this is combined with DOD, I can see this having some appeal if there isn't any extra charge on it, but I'm sure there will be.
This is the essence of GM laziness: playing catchup, and trying to do it as cheaply as possible, whether it actually makes for a decent product or not. Obviously GM is looking into the distant future with the hydrogen cars and what-not, but I can't see why they dodn't have the foresite to find a stop-gap in between. Had they utilized some tech from the EV1, at least then they would have something really different. But instead they push this lame attempt at reconciliation on us, and it's not even avaialbe for another two years. By then Civics will be powerfed by cold fusion, and Tundras will get 80 mpg. Sorry for the rant, just tired of GM bringing up the rear in technology solely because of lack of effort.

 

GM has 5 speeds on the way and I can't see GM charging much for this kind of mild hybrid technology.

I think it makes a lot of sence to make it standard add the cost to the base price and bill it as a very fuel efficent sedan (Malibu) or SUV (VUE).

A Malibu Sedan with 25/35 would look great in an ad.

Yeah, 25/35 for a 3.5-liter V6 and 200 horses would be a major asset for GM. Even so, the current Malibu gets a nice 22/32 for a 200 horse V6 engine. Thats really good gas mileage there.

 

BAS or BS? I say BS.

When the engine isn't running the A/C compressor and power steering pump aren't working (unless a hybrid compressor is used like in the hybriid Accord), which are important while idle. I can't see this being anything close to smooth-operating either. What's so hard about developing at LEAST a system like that in the hybrid GMT-800s? A new CVT or 6-speed transaxle with an electric generator/motor on the flywheel instead of a starter, some LiIon batteries under the rear seat and hybrid accessories (A/C compressor, power steering pump) seem quite easy and would give a 15% yeild in economy when combined with a good ECM program, and it could fit in pretty much all FWD GMs. I don't get it.

 

This is going to be a disaster like the GM 350 diesel.

 

THIS IS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE HONDA HYBRID SYSTEMS!! "IMA" Integrated Motor Assist!

 

Hardly.

 

I remember seeing the Full Hybrid Powertrain display for the VUE/Malibu @ NAIAS '03, 2nd Floor of the GM Pavillion. 20 - 30% increase in fuel economy. Then It was dropped for this belt alternator thing?

GM, you might as well bring over from Europe a 2.0L TDI unit for the belt
alternator to get any decent Mileage #'s. Otherwise, the biased automotive press will just rip you to shreds......................................


Ken

 

THIS IS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE HONDA HYBRID SYSTEMS!! "IMA" Integrated Motor Assist!

The Accord Hybrid has a 38% improvement in the city EPA rating. This system has a 2-5% increase. They must not be too similar.

 

This would be another opportunity for the press to tear GM a new one for taking (what sounds..) like a short cut on this sort of technology. I agree with what another poster said, If Toyota, Honda, and even Ford can do it, there should be no reason GM can't. IMO its crap they would think this a viable option, especially after Toyota,Honda & Ford have come to market with these seemless/imperceptible systems.

 

And you wonder why wallstreet and the press are skeptical of GM's future...The only explanation I can come up with is GM's BAS hybrid is really an april fool's prank that was delayed, typical botched release like the Solstice in September.

 

As I am writing this GM's bond rating has been lowered to JUNK STATUS! With this stupid half a$$ed attempt at a hybrids I see why the world has turned it's back on this company.
With this latest decision I would suggest the GM board to ask for the resignations of its top brass. Is anyone looking at the lost market share, the lukewarm receptions of it's newer products, and yes the critics views of what is happening at that company? When you are falling off a cliff you can't afford to piss around. This is not about God Bless America or Past Glories, this is about the 300,000 people that GM is supporting with there success. They are failing us all.

 

This is going to be a disaster like the GM 350 diesel.

Or the Ford GT-40! :lmao: :rotf:

 

We are screwed! Why do we do everything half-assed!

That's how GM is working right now. I think GM is more focused in the hydrogen fuel-cell technology rather than the hybrid market.

 

Reviewers said the Honda system is rather jerky in stop/go situations. I see this being similar in that regard.

For the 2007 model year, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan will have full hybrids. Toyota will have the hybrid Camry and GS.

As far as I've read, GM never said that it's full Hybrid SUVs will be available from launch, so who knows what year we'll see them.

On top of all that, we heard about this belt system, like what, over a year ago? It sure takes GM a long time to make baby steps. Chrysler beat it with DoD V8s and Honda beat it with DoD V6s.

And how many years ago did we hear about that joint venture with Ford to develop 6-speed automatics for FWD? Ford saw the time delay and bought trannies as a stop gap. GM was a bit more myopic.

 

Why can't they do anything right these days.

 

as long as the media doesn't mess with that it is a shortcut hybrid, it might be good PR

 

GM has 5 speeds on the way and I can't see GM charging much for this kind of mild hybrid technology.

I think it makes a lot of sence to make it standard add the cost to the base price and bill it as a very fuel efficent sedan (Malibu) or SUV (VUE).

A Malibu Sedan with 25/35 would look great in an ad.

GM has lots of stuff on the way, problem is they never get it here, on by the time it gets here, people have moved on...