Even in hard financial times such as these, some automakers can see the future and continue to develop hybrid autos with this in mind. Enter the Mercedes BlueZERO series of three models. The ECELL version is battery-electric and is the greenest of the three options rumoured to be able to travel 120 miles on a single charge. The FCELL will be hydrogen powered and will have a range of around 250 miles. Finally, The hybrid engined E-CELL PLUS should be able to hit 375 miles, but that's because the electric engine gets a boost from a small built-in gasoline-powered motor.
All three models were on display at last month's Detroit Autoshow.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
One of the most notable aspects of the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is that it has the same basic appearance and capabilities as the non-hybrid, V8 powered Tahoe. The Tahoe Hybrid benefits from an advanced two mode hybrid system combining an electric motor system with a conventional V8 engine. It involves no special skill set compared to the standard Tahoe; simply climb in, turn the key, choose a gear, and drive. You'll also go up to 50% farther on a gallon of gas.
The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid has a look that might be mistaken for one of the other Tahoe models except for subtle badging, along with an aerodynamically refined exterior. Inside, the Tahoe Hybrid is equipped much like the premium Tahoe LTZ, but the instrument panel is unique, as are the lightweight leather trimmed front seats.
The Chevy is capable of running up to 32 mph on only electric power, so don’t be surprised if the engine doesn’t start. That so-called full-hybrid operation is a feature that brings especially good fuel economy in town. By achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for the two-wheel-drive model, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid takes small sips compared to the 5.3-liter V8 in the standard Tahoe, which guzzles 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The Tahoe Hybrid's mileage nearly equals that of midsize sedans in city driving.
All of this economy does not compromise the Tahoe Hybrid’s 6,000-pound towing capacity, and there is an abundance of power and extra torque from the twin electric motors propelling this fullsize SUV. When the Tahoe Hybrid runs on battery power, it can be eerily quiet, but as you get used to it, other vehicles seem loud. The advanced powertrain of the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid combines a specially outfitted 332-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 with what looks like a regular automatic transmission. The two electric motors combine with the 4 speed automatic transmission. The technology (codeveloped with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler) works well, and the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid drives beautifully.
Rest assured that the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid includes all the goodness that comes with the standard Chevy Tahoe model. New standard features on the 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid bring more of a high-tech feel to the package inside; they include adjustable power pedals, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar 8.0 with Stolen Vehicle Slow Down, XM Satellite Radio with new realtime NavTraffic feature, turn-by-turn navigation, and Destination Download.
Chevrolet does charge a premium, approximately $5,000, for the Tahoe Hybrid. As such it could take more than five years of driving to recoup that expense. This premium is even harder to swallow considering the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid suffers from some of the same issues as the standard Chevy Tahoe, such as a cramped third-row seat. However, the editors of TheCarConnection.com anticipate a much more impressive resale value for the Tahoe Hybrid compared to other fullsize SUVs, especially in times of high gas prices.
The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid has a look that might be mistaken for one of the other Tahoe models except for subtle badging, along with an aerodynamically refined exterior. Inside, the Tahoe Hybrid is equipped much like the premium Tahoe LTZ, but the instrument panel is unique, as are the lightweight leather trimmed front seats.
The Chevy is capable of running up to 32 mph on only electric power, so don’t be surprised if the engine doesn’t start. That so-called full-hybrid operation is a feature that brings especially good fuel economy in town. By achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for the two-wheel-drive model, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid takes small sips compared to the 5.3-liter V8 in the standard Tahoe, which guzzles 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The Tahoe Hybrid's mileage nearly equals that of midsize sedans in city driving.
All of this economy does not compromise the Tahoe Hybrid’s 6,000-pound towing capacity, and there is an abundance of power and extra torque from the twin electric motors propelling this fullsize SUV. When the Tahoe Hybrid runs on battery power, it can be eerily quiet, but as you get used to it, other vehicles seem loud. The advanced powertrain of the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid combines a specially outfitted 332-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 with what looks like a regular automatic transmission. The two electric motors combine with the 4 speed automatic transmission. The technology (codeveloped with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler) works well, and the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid drives beautifully.
Rest assured that the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid includes all the goodness that comes with the standard Chevy Tahoe model. New standard features on the 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid bring more of a high-tech feel to the package inside; they include adjustable power pedals, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar 8.0 with Stolen Vehicle Slow Down, XM Satellite Radio with new realtime NavTraffic feature, turn-by-turn navigation, and Destination Download.
Chevrolet does charge a premium, approximately $5,000, for the Tahoe Hybrid. As such it could take more than five years of driving to recoup that expense. This premium is even harder to swallow considering the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid suffers from some of the same issues as the standard Chevy Tahoe, such as a cramped third-row seat. However, the editors of TheCarConnection.com anticipate a much more impressive resale value for the Tahoe Hybrid compared to other fullsize SUVs, especially in times of high gas prices.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Autos in 2009 - Cheaper Gas to Hurt Hybrid Sales
In an economic climate as unsettled as this, even the bravest Nostradamus wannabes tend to get cautious. Very few saw this automotive meltdown coming six months ago and you can bet anyone with a reliable view into the future would be in high demand in Detroit, Tokyo and Munich. Thus, it is probably more determination than actual prognostication that sees me peering into 2009’s crystal ball.
Like almost everyone, I don’t expect the current low gas prices to last long. However, I do expect them to endure through next year and, considering most US consumers have short memories, I suspect that sales of trucks will rebound.
Actually, this one isn’t much of a stretch. Lost in all this talk of a paradigm shift in the form of a new automotive consumer is the fact that Ford’s F150 and Chevy’s Silverado are selling well. In fact, though their total sales are diminished, they are still the two best sellers south of the 49th parallel.
Gas-guzzling SUVs, on the other hand, will not fare so well. The “need” for a cargo hauling pickup is easily justified, but there are plenty of vehicles that can ferry the kidlets to grade school better than a Lincoln Navigator. The first autojournalist tests of the Chevrolet Volt will be successful.
Much of the skepticism surrounding GMs Electric Extended Range Vehicle involves its lithium ion batteries, which, no less an automotive authority than Honda has said are not ready for prime time. Nonetheless, the Chevrolet will shock the world with the first foray into this game changing technology.
GM will, however, be sweating bullets over the previous prediction as the fuel sipping sedan with an approximately $7,500 premium for its electronic gadgetry is a tough sell when gasoline is hovering between 70 and 80 cents a litre. In a perfect world, The General is probably hoping for a continuation of this cheap gasoline for all of 2009 so it can squeeze out as many pickup sales as possible and then betting on a gradual uptick in crude oil pricing as the Volt is being unveiled to the public.
It’s definitely wishful thinking, but it is in the realm of possibility. Honda will once again become a significant competitor to Toyota in the hybrid market . Not as high-tech as the Prius, its new Insight will be inexpensive, a huge boon in an economic climate as clouded as this. However, thanks to the glut of cheap oil swirling about, the Insight will take some time before hitting the 200,000 units Honda predicts it can sell in a year.
As for Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn’s prediction of purely electric cars becoming 10% of the global automotive market. Hybrids have been around for almost a decade now and, despite the headlines they generate, they still account for only about 2% of the market. There will be pomp and circumstance every time someone introduces a new electric car, but sales of the battery-only-powered automobile will remain low for quite some time.
Like almost everyone, I don’t expect the current low gas prices to last long. However, I do expect them to endure through next year and, considering most US consumers have short memories, I suspect that sales of trucks will rebound.
Actually, this one isn’t much of a stretch. Lost in all this talk of a paradigm shift in the form of a new automotive consumer is the fact that Ford’s F150 and Chevy’s Silverado are selling well. In fact, though their total sales are diminished, they are still the two best sellers south of the 49th parallel.
Gas-guzzling SUVs, on the other hand, will not fare so well. The “need” for a cargo hauling pickup is easily justified, but there are plenty of vehicles that can ferry the kidlets to grade school better than a Lincoln Navigator. The first autojournalist tests of the Chevrolet Volt will be successful.
Much of the skepticism surrounding GMs Electric Extended Range Vehicle involves its lithium ion batteries, which, no less an automotive authority than Honda has said are not ready for prime time. Nonetheless, the Chevrolet will shock the world with the first foray into this game changing technology.
GM will, however, be sweating bullets over the previous prediction as the fuel sipping sedan with an approximately $7,500 premium for its electronic gadgetry is a tough sell when gasoline is hovering between 70 and 80 cents a litre. In a perfect world, The General is probably hoping for a continuation of this cheap gasoline for all of 2009 so it can squeeze out as many pickup sales as possible and then betting on a gradual uptick in crude oil pricing as the Volt is being unveiled to the public.
It’s definitely wishful thinking, but it is in the realm of possibility. Honda will once again become a significant competitor to Toyota in the hybrid market . Not as high-tech as the Prius, its new Insight will be inexpensive, a huge boon in an economic climate as clouded as this. However, thanks to the glut of cheap oil swirling about, the Insight will take some time before hitting the 200,000 units Honda predicts it can sell in a year.
As for Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn’s prediction of purely electric cars becoming 10% of the global automotive market. Hybrids have been around for almost a decade now and, despite the headlines they generate, they still account for only about 2% of the market. There will be pomp and circumstance every time someone introduces a new electric car, but sales of the battery-only-powered automobile will remain low for quite some time.
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