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07 Tahoe Hybrid
Source: www.gminsidenews.com

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Tahoe full-size SUV has earned its outstanding reputation with independent consumer studies recognizing its sales and quality leadership. With the addition of the world’s first two-mode full hybrid propulsion system, the Chevrolet Tahoe takes its outstanding reputation even further with a 25-percent improvement in fuel economy and a superior driving experience that SUV customers know and love.

“The Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid combines the functionality and comfort of a full-size SUV with a two-mode full hybrid system that optimizes fuel efficiency in both city and highway driving, the way most Americans use their vehicles,” said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Powertrain. “The Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid delivers on GM’s commitment to apply advanced technologies where we will realize the most fuel savings.”

The Vortec V-8 powered Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid is expected to deliver a composite fuel efficiency improvement of 25 percent when combined with Active Fuel Management™ cylinder deactivation technology. The Tahoe Hybrid will go on sale next year as a 2008 model, along with the GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrid. Pricing and production volumes have not been announced.

Design Manager David Smith and his team gave Chevy Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid a distinctive look befitting its unique powertrain, while ensuring a design reflecting that it is still unmistakably a Chevy. The Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid is 10 mm lower in the front and touts additional aerodynamic features compared to the non-hybrid Tahoe. Special features, including prominent hybrid badges and a Glacier Gold exterior finish, complete the look.

“We took the brand-new, next-generation full-size truck platform, which already had segment-leading fuel economy and world-class aerodynamics, and took it to the next level,” said Mark Cieslak, assistant vehicle chief engineer for the Chevy Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid. “This was in addition to maintaining important performance attributes of full-size trucks, such as off-road capability, towing at 6,000 pounds, great 0-60 times and much more. It was understood from the start that we would deliver the goods on fuel economy, with typical full-size truck performance, and provide the integration detail that results in a flawless vehicle. And we have, with confidence.”

GM, BMW and DaimlerChrysler are co-developing the two-mode full hybrid system that will leverage automatic transmission technology and electronic controls in an integrated, powerful and compact system that can be used with both gas and diesel engines.

The Tahoe, the industry’s best-selling SUV, was completely redesigned for 2007 with dramatically increased attention to detail on nearly every aspect of the vehicle. The development team focused on improving ride and handling, quietness, efficiency, and safety and security. They refined the interior and gave it a distinctive, sporty exterior.

“Tahoe is known for delivering what its customers want, whenever they want to do it,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid offers great performance, 25-percent better fuel economy and all of the kind of utility that our current SUV has.”

The two-mode hybrid system

GM’s two-mode full hybrid system in transit buses has been established as the starting point for the GM-BMW-DaimlerChrysler collaboration. The design integrates proven automatic transmission technology with a patented hybrid-electric drive system to deliver the world’s first two-mode full hybrid.

The two-mode is patented hybrid technology with two modes optimized for city and highway driving. In the first mode, at low speed and light loads, the vehicle can operate in three ways: electric power only, engine power only or in any combination of engine and electric power. When operating with electric power only, it provides all the fuel savings benefits of a full hybrid system. Leaving the engine shut off for extended periods of time and moving under electric power at low speed is key to reducing fuel consumption in heavy stop and go traffic.

The second mode is used primarily at highway speeds. In addition to electric assist, the second mode provides full eight-cylinder engine power when conditions demand it, such as when passing, pulling a trailer or climbing a steep grade.

The second mode integrates sophisticated electronic controls, such as Active Fuel Management, cam phasing, and late-intake valve closure, allowing even more efficient engine operation.

Two-mode system innovations allow for more compact packaging because its compact and powerful electric motors are designed to fit within the approximate space of a conventional automatic transmission – an efficiency advantage compared with today’s typical single-mode systems that rely on much larger electric motors.

A sophisticated controller determines when the vehicle should operate in either mode of the two-mode drive system. Input from the controller determines the necessary torque for the driving conditions and sends a corresponding command to the engine and electric motors. The engine and electric motors transfer torque to a series of gears in the transmission, which multiply torque similar to a conventional automatic transmission to propel the vehicle. But unlike conventional continuously variable transmissions, the two-mode full hybrid’s electrically controlled system uses no mechanical belts or bands. Shifts between the two modes are synchronous, which means no engine speed changes are necessary for the mode shift to occur, resulting in ultra smooth accelerations.

The 300-volt battery pack provides electric power for the system, and while it is larger than a typical automotive battery, it is designed to fit in the vehicle without compromising passenger space. Special converters located under the vehicle’s hood convert the motors’ AC output to DC current and power conventional 12-volt accessories, such as interior lighting, climate control and the radio. The vehicle’s internal combustion engine provides power to charge the battery pack, so the vehicle doesn’t have to be plugged in to keep the battery pack maintained.

Because the architecture can be scaled to fit multiple vehicles and adapted to gasoline or diesel engines, the two-mode full hybrid can be applied globally. In Europe , for example, where diesel engines are common in passenger vehicles, it can provide a significant reduction in fuel consumption, which would help automakers meet the region’s ever-stringent carbon dioxide emissions standard.

“We have several additional proprietary innovations that will make the two-mode system even more capable in high power-to-weight ratio vehicles, such as in SUVs and full-size pickups … innovations that combine our two-mode full hybrid with our extensive capability in automatic transmissions and electronic control systems,” said Stephens. “We believe it is the most efficient full hybrid design for a broad variety of vehicle configurations.”

Designed for efficiency

When it comes to saving fuel, even the most discreet design features can add up to significant fuel savings. Design Manager David Smith’s team used the existing, newly redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe, which already features segment-leading fuel economy and world-class aerodynamics, as a basis for additional aerodynamic refinements aimed at achieving even further fuel savings. Testing was conducted in GM’s aerodynamics laboratory in Warren , Mich.

The front of the Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid has been lowered 10 mm compared to the conventional Tahoe, which provides additional aerodynamic benefits as well as a smoother and sleeker appearance. The hood and liftgate are made of aluminum to trim weight, and the leading edges of the hood have been streamlined.

The Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid retains Chevy’s trademark dual-port grille with Chevy bowtie, but with a larger intake to accommodate the hybrid powertrain’s higher airflow requirement for cooling. The fascias are tuned at the corners and air dam, and the running boards are flared in front in an effort to guide airflow around the wheel openings.

“This truly looks like a special vehicle,” said Smith. “It is packed with details, and every one of them serves a function.”

There’s no mistaking this truck for anything other than a hybrid: Badging appears on the C-pillar, on the rear liftgate and on the hitch cover.

Other aerodynamic refinements include sharpening of the D-pillar rearward, including the taillamps, a CHMSL appliqué detail spoiler over the rear hatch and a closeout panel under the back of the vehicle to facilitate airflow.

Lightweight, aero-efficient wheels with the lowest rolling-resistance tires available for full-size trucks further trim fuel use, and are complemented with a tuned ride to provide the ride and handling performance and attention to detail that customers expect from a totally integrated vehicle.

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Very interesting... So how long after the launch of the new Tahoe (aka, now) will the Tahoe Hybrid be released?
 
The talk is a couple months after the release of the Tahoe. So I'm guessing summer time maybe?
 
GM says upcoming '07 Suburban is tops in hauling
Source: www.autoweek.com
Written by Kathy Jackson

LOS ANGELES -- It's hard to catch Mark LaNeve, GM's North American sales chief, flatfooted when introducing vehicles to the press.

But then he doesn't usually share the stage with comic Jay Leno.

When LaNeve unveiled the re-engineered 2007 Chevrolet Suburban at the Los Angeles auto show last week, he said it can haul more passengers and cargo than any other vehicle in the segment.

That wasn't enough for Leno. He asked LaNeve if the Suburban could haul the comic and several guy friends to Brokeback Mountain, the title of a current Hollywood movie.

LaNeve didn't know where Brokeback Mountain was but assured Leno that the Suburban could do the job.

Leno then asked if the Suburban could tow a Toyota Prius should it break down.

"I have a lot of friends who have Priuses, and there have been reports about them breaking down," said Leno, apparently wandering off the GM-scripted event.

LaNeve, asserting with a red face that he didn't prompt the question, said the 8,000-pound towing capacity of the Suburban could tow two Priuses.

Leno also gave kudos to the Saab 9-5 Aero BioPower concept car, which runs on ethanol and gasoline. He said it would be a big hit in Hollywood.

"There are a lot of bi's in Hollywood, so that car should do well there," Leno joked.

GM showed the 2007 Suburban and long-wheelbase GMC Yukon XL for the first time at the show. Both vehicles go on sale in the second quarter of this year.

The trucks are equipped with new 5.3-liter V-8 engines. To address rising gasoline costs, the engines can deactivate four cylinders while cruising.

New 6.0-liter V-8s will be available later in the year.

The interior has several new safety features, such as a rear-viewing camera and head curtain airbags on all three rows of seats.
 
They aren't Altezza's only ricers and idiots call them Altezza's.

But they look very nice on the Denali, gives it an upscale look. Like it or not, they are still popular.
 
It's the general term and yes they are ricer... look in Tuner truck or whatever that ricer truck mag is called. All these companies like Toyota and Nissan saw the ricer stuff was getting popular so they hopped on the bandwagon with OEM versions. :dopey:

People are stupid...
 
And oh yeah Poverty this on is for you who told me that the Tahoe Hyrid is faked...

Hybrid System:
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Hybrid Engine:
n38505333_30140882_8321.jpg


The girl up on the platform said the doors were locks on the hybrid and couldn't pop the hood. But she told me to check out the Hatachi web site and there should be photos on there.
 
LOL I was just a middle man to those accusations B_X.

Those pics look kinda plastic. And you have to wonder as to why the doors were locked on the hybrid. Whats the point of having a hybrid there when it looks exactly like the normal version?

Anyway doesnt matter as GM will undoubtly have a hybrid tahoe on sale.

Fact: Audi released the first hybrid in 1989.
 
BlazinXtreme
And oh yeah Poverty this on is for you who told me that the Tahoe Hyrid is faked...

The girl up on the platform said the doors were locks on the hybrid and couldn't pop the hood. But she told me to check out the Hatachi web site and there should be photos on there.

:lol: so what's the proof it's not fake? j/k yet... Sounds like they are dragging their feet or stalling.
 
Those pics look kinda plastic. And you have to wonder as to why the doors were locked on the hybrid. Whats the point of having a hybrid there when it looks exactly like the normal version?

The doors were locked because of camera equipment being store in the back.

But it looks different, look at the front bumper. Also the rims and some other stuff was noticeable for me.

Also the reason the engine looks fake is because its a show engine meaning everything is welded shut and stuff.

Also it will be on sale come June.
 
The girl on the platform said that the hybrid should be out in June...but then again GM has like 3 hybrid systems.
 
It was a lot of text to read but anyway, so how much better MPG be in the hybrid than these new V-8 they have with "displacement on demand" or whatever it's called. How much power too?
 
The DOD (displacement on demand) Vortec 5300 V8 with aluminum head and block will put out 325HP and it capable of 22-24MPG on the highway as compared to the previous generation iron head and block 5300 V8 that was rated at 19-21 on the highway (but could get more than 24MPG if you drove it right).

I believe the upcomming Vortec 6200 V8 with 400HP will have DOD, but I'm not sure. Its also interesting that GM's DOD is making greater gains in fuel economy than DCX's MDS (multiple displacement system) setup.

...Id say Chevy came out the winner in the styling department with the new GMT900s. Not to say that the Yukon or Escalade doesnt look good, but the Tahoe's lines are much cleaner and do more to make it look destinctively Chevrolet.
 
thought this may be the place for this. saw my first new tahoe monday, twelve days after debut. shown. saw another the following day in silver. no complaints, but the simpler look of 95-00 was the best yet. i'm concerned the changes don't go far enough on the exterior.

acztahoe3uq.jpg


off-topic: i saw a grand prix gxp today.
 
Berger has a few of the new Tahoes in stock right now, and I have to say that the black (so far) is the best suited color for the new styling. The contrast between the black, chrome, gold bages, and gold pinstripe really make the truck stand out.
 
Caddy seems like they tonned down their look just a bit. Not to say that they dont look good (which they do), but they have more of a "electric shaver" look than their previous models.
 
Well no it's just they look more designed then the half assed other new ones. Compared to the old Caddies these for some reason don't look goddy to me although Dubbers won't have a hard time with that when they get their grimy hands on them. :rolleyes:
 
The new style of the Tahoe and the Suburban are fresh and nice. But the Escalade and Yukon and such don't look that great.
 
It was done by Dub Magazine...and yes those are 26's stuffed up there. I kinda liked it.
 
26 inches...

That's beyond absurd.


Well, no, the 4 or 5 Crown Victorias I've seen jacked up so rims that size could fit under them are more absurd, as it looks like the car would tip over in a stiff wind, or even just turning...it's a little less dumb looking on a big monstrous SUV...still not cool though.
 

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