Filed under: Hybrid, GM, HUMMER, AutoblogGreen Exclusive
GM could very easily make a two-mode hybrid H2
Paris Hilton just might get her wish for a hybrid Hummer. The H2 is based on the same platform as the Yukon and Tahoe, which are both hybrids now. It's really not a problem at all for GM to release a two-mode hybrid H2 to the market. The work on the platform is already finished and it's just a decision by the corporate heads right now.GM could easily turn lots of its other brands into hybrids as well. For example, the Aura is a hybrid and it shares the same platform with the Cadillac BLS and Pontiac G6. GM probably won't flood the market with hybrids that look exactly the same. They are launching the Buick LaCrosse hybrid in China this August at the Olympics. So that's very likely coming to America soon.
Recently, I told you about a rumor of a hybrid GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. For now, GM is denying these rumors. GM has said they would offer 8 hybrids by the end of 2008. By my count, they still have a few to go. If it's the Buick LaCrosse, the H2, Lambda platform vehicle or a totally new hybrid only brand, we will tell you about it.
What GM brands would you like to see hybridized?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Z 7:25PM (1/29/2008)
The H2 is based on the GMT800 platform, which is shared with the 2000-2006 Tahoe.
The current Hybrid Tahoe is based on the GMT900 platform. So unless you reenginner the H2, a hybrid is unlikely.
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Lascelles Linton 11:13PM (1/29/2008)
Mike Z, According to Wiki, an H2 is based on GMT913 as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT900
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Mirko 6:54AM (1/30/2008)
The BAS mild hybrid from the Aura in the BLS would be BS, because nobody interested in a BLS would take a hybrid getting 30-ish mpg over tha available diesels, capable of getting at least 40 mpg.
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Mike Z 7:33AM (1/30/2008)
The note says its for the pickup version
per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummer_H2 its GMT800
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Chris 9:10AM (1/30/2008)
I thought for sure that they would throw a BAS on the Hummer and call it a "hybrid".
BAS is the watering down of what a true hybrid should be and will only serve to further confuse the general public about the true benefits a real hybrid can bring (just like the "performance" hybrids do). "Why would I buy a hybrid when it only gets 1-2 MPG better?" as compared to "I'd love to get +7 MPG or more and greatly reduce emissions. Tell me how."
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Mike Z 9:49AM (1/30/2008)
I actually somewhat like GM's BAS hybrid system. From my discussions with some from GM, it is in fact, no different from an operating design perspective than Honda's IMA hybrid system, just with a weaker motor.
The advantage with GM's BAS system is that unlike Honda's IMA, no new castings need to be done to integrate the hybrid system into the vehicle: Just a bigger alternator, some control electronics, and a battery pack--and presto a 10% in FE. Beef up the alternator and battery pack, which is what is talked about in BAS II, and you could likely get a 15-25% gain.
Actually I'm betting that a large part of GM's strategy to hit the new CAFÉ is a mix of BAS II and DI Engines (maybe some new transmissions and reduce parasitic loses for good measure)
The other key is that the margin costs for BAS are very low, the biggest cost is likely the NiMi battery pack, and if they replace them with cheaper Firefly PbA you could have a very minimal cost for a fair increase in FE.
Of course, the gain is not as good as a proper hybrid drive and there are likely upper limits of the amount of power that could be put through the belt drive, but on the plus side there is little holding GM back from taking BAS fleet wide.
It would be nice if GM would push the 2-mode system in smaller cars, I have a feeling that for sedans a 1-mode system is better, but I wonder if there are some IP issues surrounding that.
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Lascelles Linton 9:53AM (1/30/2008)
Mike Z, I think 800's are hybridized through the Sierra line too. Anyway, even if it were not going two-mode, adding a BAS would not a be a problem as Chris said. I don't think GM is sitting around saying, oh, well, that hybrid is too difficult, lets not do it. I they pick the car then just do it. To put some limit on predicting which brand would be a hybrid, I thought I would use platforms. The rumor I recently posted might be wrong so I thought I would post this interesting thing instead. Personally, I can't wait for a two-mode sedan.
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Mike Z 10:15AM (1/30/2008)
Right now from my understanding, they are working at applying BAS to V-6 Engines; however, they said nothing about V-8 ones.
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The Other Bob 11:07AM (1/30/2008)
"2. Mike Z, According to Wiki, an H2 is based on GMT913 as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT900
Posted at 11:13PM on Jan 29th 2008 by Lascelles Linton"
Wikipedia is wrong. No big surprise there. The H2 is built on the older platform, but the Tahoe, Escalade, Silverado and GMC Sierra and Yukon are all built on the newer 900 platform.
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Lascelles Linton 3:14PM (1/30/2008)
The Other Bob, I don't think it's wrong but I think the confusion is Wiki means the Hummer pick up slated for release in 2009. I don't think Hummer is going to stay on an older platform.
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snm77 1:15AM (1/31/2008)
I don't want any GM hybrid - I want the diesel engines used in the rest of the world. Better yet, a diesel hybrid. I don't understand why, when the resale value of a diesel VW in the US is so high, and when during the last available model year (2006) VW could not keep a new or used diesel on their lot, that US automakers keep insisting that American's won't drive a diesel. It's silly.
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Azrael4h 8:44PM (2/02/2008)
If they could make radiation levels non-hazardous (unlike Hondas) then I'd like to see a hybrid Cobalt/Astra. 1.4l DI Turbo with start-stop, electric motor providing a bit of a boost, and a 6 speed manual transaxle.
Ignoring that, a cross-the-board availability would be nice. Since GM is going to global platforms, they'll be able to do it without much more engineering.
I doubt I'd buy one though. Getting cancer from my car isn't high on my list of priorities. It'd be a strictly image thing.
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gpro 11:37PM (6/28/2008)
Hi, I just saw a Hummer Hybrid in Eau Claire, WI (6/26). It had CO plates. I looked it over and over because I could not believe it! I was I had the cam with to take a pic. I would love to know the stats on it!
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