During a media preview of the new BlueTec diesel powered Mercedes SUVs here in Vermont, Thomas Ruhl Director of R-Class, SUV hybrid and BlueTec discussed some of the alternative drive systems coming from Stuttgart in the near future. While he didn't get into any of the electric car programs that have been discussed recently, he did talk about hybrids. Ruhl confirmed that the S400 BlueHybrid and ML450 BlueHybrid will be launched in the U.S. in 2009. BlueHybrid does not mean these are diesel hybrids, Blue is just the color that Mercedes and others are using to denote their cleaner, more efficient vehicles. When a diesel hybrid arrives it will be called a BlueTec Hybrid.

The S400 will use the mild hybrid system jointly developed by Mercedes and BMW and will be equipped with a lithium ion battery. The ML450 will be the first Mercedes application of the Two-Mode hybrid system. General Motors is building the Two-Mode hybrid transmissions for its own applications as well as supplying Chrylser. Similarly, Ruhl revealed that Mercedes would build the Two-Mode transmissions for both its own and BMW's vehicles. The X6 will be the first Munich model to get the hybrid treatment. The guts of the Mercedes-built units will be identical for both German brands and, like the American version, the only difference is the mechanical interface to connect the respective automakers engines as well as the control software. One item Ruhl declined to discuss is the battery for use with the Two-Mode hybrids. GM and Chrysler are both using nickel metal hydride. Mercedes is using lithium ion for the mild hybrid and the 'no comment' from Ruhl indicates that the same may be true for the Two-Mode.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Now that Chrysler is getting ready to launch the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids into the world in a few months, the question of what's next arises. We already know about the Dodge Ram getting the Two-Mode hybrid system in 2010. About this time last year at Chrysler's 2008 model year preview EVP-product development Frank Klegon indicated that there would be additional hybrid applications coming in the next few years. Mike Accavitti, Dodge Brand director told the Detroit Free Press that the Dodge Journey crossover is one of the possible candidates that is being looked at. The Journey seems an obvious candidate and could see the Two-Mode hybrid soon. GM is actually supplying the two-mode transmissions for the Durango and Ram and has a front wheel drive version that will debut this fall in the Saturn Vue. It's possible that GM could supply that same unit to development partner Chrysler for applications like the Journey. Since the Journey shares a platform with Chrysler's mid-size Sebring and Avenger they could also see hybrid versions. The minivans would also seem like a good application since many drivers of such vehicles use them around town to shuttle munchkins and businesses use them as delivery vehicles.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Last summer Ichiro Suzuki was selected as the MVP of the baseball All-Star game and got the keys to one of the first Chevy Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrids. At the time, those SUVs were still more than six months away from production. This year, Chrysler is getting ready to launch their own full-size hybrid SUVs and they may be awarding one of the early production Aspen Hybrids to a women golfer at the Ginn Tribute LPGA tournament this weekend. If any of the 144 golfers, including Annika Sorenstarn, shoot a hole-in-one during the tournament they will get one of the first Aspens.

The Aspen and its twin Dodge Durango hybrid don't go on sale until this fall but they are set up very much like the corresponding GM hybrids. The same two-mode hybrid transmission is paired up with a large V8, in Chrysler's case the 5.7L HEMI. The HEMI is also equipped with cylinder deactivation allowing it to run on either four or eight cylinders. The nickel metal hydride battery pack is installed below the second row seat. While GM is offering their hybrids with either rear or all wheel drive, Chrysler is only planning to offer the Aspen/Durango with the latter configuration. The Chrysler press release is after the jump.

Hot on the heels of word that Holden Special Vehicles was looking at alternative drivetrains for future high performance models for the GM Australian lineup comes news that Holden will introduce a mainstream hybrid within two years. Nick Reilly, GM President Asia-Pacific was in Australia recently for an annual review at Holden and announced that the brand that developed the Zeta platform would introduce a gas-electric hybrid within two years. According to Reilly, the big Commodore sedan would likely be the first to go hybrid. Actually selling hybrids in Australia could prove problematic though since buyers there have generally shown little willingness to pay the extra cost. Reilly is encouraging the Australian federal government to introduce tax breaks to eliminate some of the financial sting for consumers.

Of particular interest to Americans is that the Commodore is now available in here as the Pontiac G8 and the new Camaro that is debuting this summer is also based on the same architecture. If a hybrid Commodore appears, it is almost a certainty to show up in at least the G8 and possibly the Camaro soon after. GM already showed a two-mode hybrid equipped concept pickup at the Chicago Auto Show called the GMC Denali XT which is built on the same platform. At the debut of the two-mode Tahoe last year, GM officials described a third smaller rear wheel drive passenger car variant of the system which could make its debut in the Commodore. The next generation of GM's mild hybrid is also possible and GM explicitly said that system could be used in rear wheel drive applications.

We contacted GM's US hybrid spokesman Brian Corbett for comment on which system might be used. Corbett declined comment on any unannounced products.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]

When Nissan introduced the Titan pickup truck earlier this decade, they became the first Japanese Automaker to directly challenge the U.S. manufacturers in the full-size truck segment. Unfortunately for Nissan, the gamble didn't pay off, but the company knows when to stop throwing good money after bad. With sales of only 65,000 a year and no sales outside of North America, it didn't make sense for Nissan to spend money developing a new generation vehicle. The capper on the deal were new fuel economy regulations. Nissan has been trying unsuccessfully for months to line up a supplier of diesel engines for the Titan. The announcement yesterday of the deal between Nissan and Chrysler to swap cars and trucks means the next-generation Nissan pickup will be built off the Ram platform.

It's not known yet if the Nissans will get the hybrid or light duty diesel engines that will debut in the Ram in 2010. Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa told ABG that GM, Daimler and BMW would have to agree before Nissan could be included in the hybrid program. Since Daimler and BMW don't compete in the segment, and GM and Chrysler could certainly use the extra volume to bring costs down, it seems likely that the Nissan truck will eventually be found with a hybrid system. For the new light duty Cummins diesel, Dodge will probably get a period of exclusivity, but it seems likely that Nissan wouldn't even bother with a truck if they couldn't get a diesel, since everyone else in the segment will have one by 2010.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

As Chrysler gets ready to launch their first hybrids this fall in the shape of the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen two-modes, Hybrid manager Abdullah Bazzi has posted answers to some reader questions over on the Dodge blog. While none of the questions are particularly deep or earth shattering, Bazzi does reiterate that a hybrid version of the Ram pickup is coming in 2010. Although at least one reader would like to see a hybrid version of the new Dodge Challenger, Bazzi says that would depend on making a business case for it.

The likelihood of that happening is pretty slim. Sales projections for the Challenger are only about 40,000 units a year and it remains to be seen how sales will hold up after the demand for the first year's run is satisfied. At the moment all of Chrysler's future product plans are in flux as the new bosses revamp the lineup. Beyond the Durango/Aspen/Ram hybrids and the diesel Grand Cherokee, nothing is certain. Head over to the Dodge blog to read the rest of Bazzi's responses.

[Source: Red Letter Dodge]

At the international media launch for BMW's new X6 "Sport Activity Coupe" in Spartanburg, South Carolina, company officials confirmed that the hybrid version is indeed coming next year. When it launches in 2009 it will be available only with the the 4.4L turbocharged V-8 that is debuting right now in the 2008 X6. The X6 will be BMW's first application of the two mode hybrid system that is being developed along with GM, Daimler and Chrysler. Like GM and Chrysler, BMW will be using a nickel metal hydride battery for the initial applications. Unlike the two American brands, the BMW engine won't be using cylinder deactivation. According to BMW engineers, they didn't see a significant improvement in efficiency with cylinder deactivation compared to the direct injection and variable valve timing and lift system their V-8 uses.

Like the American hybrid SUVs, BMW chose to apply hybrid technology to a heavy, powerful vehicle because the absolute fuel savings (the number of gallons reduced) are much larger compared to the same percentage increase on a smaller vehicle like the 1-series. In Europe BMW, has started to add systems like automatic start-stop and brake energy regeneration to their smaller vehicles. They are implementing each of these technologies on one platform or powertrain combination at time. The start-stop system is currently available on manual transmission four cylinder cars, none of which BMW sells in the U.S. right now. Over the coming years they plan to expand availability to virtually all of their platforms. In the meantime, the X6 Hybrid will save some gas compared to the regular model, but at 5,000lbs and up, it won't be winning any fuel economy competitions anytime soon.

[Source: BMW]

Click the Tahoe hybrid for a high-res gallery

General Motors has had a checkered relationship with hybrids in the last few years. Through the 1990s they did a lot of development work in the area, particularly through the federally funded Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV). Ultimately, Toyota and Honda were the first to actually bring hybrid electric drivetrains to market. GM eventually brought their first light duty hybrid system to market with the mild parallel hybrid that was offered on the Silverado and Sierra pickups for a couple of years. That was followed by the belt-alternator-starter system that debuted in late 2006 on the Saturn Vue. Neither of these systems could in any way be considered a commercial success although GM claims to have learned some real world lessons from them.

Late in 2007, GM finally launched production of the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids, the company's first "strong" or full hybrid systems offered on light duty vehicles. The hybrid full-size SUVs have been controversial among hybrid fans who are of course dubious about why GM is bothering to apply this technology to these big, heavy vehicles. Even with the hybrid system, the rear wheel drive Tahoe still only manages an EPA combined rating of 21 mpg, less than half of the 46 mpg that a Prius gets. There is, however, a method to the apparent madness which we'll come back to. Previously we've had a couple of opportunities for short drives of the Tahoe hybrid at GM's Milford Proving Ground. Now that we've had a chance to live with it for a week you can read all about it after the jump.


Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

The second member of the Two-Mode hybrid partnership to bring a vehicle to the streets following GM's launch of the Tahoe/Yukon hybrids will be Chrysler. The Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids don't actually go on sale to the the public until later this fall. However, the first "saleable" Aspen hybrid rolled silently off the assembly line at Chrysler's Newark, DE assembly plant on the March 10. So-called saleable units are typically built many months ahead of retail sales and built from production intent parts on production units. These vehicles are generally kept for internal use including durability testing and final validation of hardware and software. These vehicles will also be used for early media drives that will likely take place this summer. The Chrysler hybrids are using the same hybrid transmission used by GM supplied from that company's Baltimore transmission plant. The only difference is the case casting to allow it to interface with the Chrysler V-8 engine.

[Source: Red Letter Dodge]

The birthplace of General Motors' Two-Mode hybrid system is growing. GM Powertrain has committed $27 million to nearly double the space available for the hybrid engineering group that used to be part of Allison. When GM sold the Allison transmission division in 2007, they retained all the rights and intellectual property to the system. That included the Indianapolis engineering facility where the Two-Mode system was conceived for transit buses. The doubling of floor space will include five new dynamometer test cells. Thirty-five more people will be added to the 110 currently on staff at the facility. The Two-Mode system is now in production in the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon with four more coming before the end of this year in the Escalade, Silverado, Sierra and Saturn Vue. Over the next few years a smaller rear wheel drive version for passenger car applications as well as lower cost versions will be developed at the facility.

[Source: Indianapolis Star]

Carlists's Lou Ann Hammond was recently part of what seems like a roundtable interview with Jim Press, the chairman and vice president of Chrysler. A four-minute video clip of that interview is now available over on Carlist and shows Press answering questions about the fate of the Two-Mode hybrid system that was once developed General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and BMW. Since the Daimler-Chrysler split, Chrysler has stepped in as partner while Daimler has gone on to focus on diesels. Hammon asks Press about which of the green technologies - diesel, flex-fuel, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell or pure eletric - Chrysler is focusing on. Press' answer: that's where we're putting our attention. "If you just bet on one, you may be disappointed," he said.

My favorite minor slip-up: Press says Chrysler has "bluetooth" bin 5 diesels (he meant Bluetec).

Watch the video here.

[Source: Carlist]

Click the Denali XT for a high res gallery

GMC doesn't do concepts very often but their latest example was unveiled here at the Chicago Auto Show. The new Denali XT concept is primarily a styling exercise but it also highlights a lot of ideas for the future of the truck market. As new fuel economy regulations kick in the coming years, trucks will have to get smaller and lighter and a car based truck like this will likely become a viable option for drivers who chose pickups for personal use rather than as a work truck. Regardless of whether this particular vehicle turns up, the powertrain almost certainly will. Future GM trucks will very likely use a smaller displacement V-8 like this 4.9L (or even smaller) with direct fuel injection. It many applications it will also be combined with the two-mode hybrid system as volumes increase and cost is reduced.

[Source: General Motors]

We had a post up here recently about the possibility of a GM producing a HUMMER H2 using the Two-Mode hybrid system that they are putting into many of their full-size trucks. The idea was that the the H2 is based off the same platform as the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon which are now available with the hybrid powertrain. Unfortunately this isn't entirely accurate. The H2 was derived from the GMT800 platform which formed the basis of the previous generation of GM full-sized trucks. The current trucks which are being hybridized are on the new GMT900 platform which has many under-the-skin differences including mechanical and electrical upgrades. As a relatively low volume vehicle, the H2 doesn't seem set to get a full-on redesign anytime soon and adapting the two-mode system to the H2 platform is not currently part of the plan. What the H2 will be getting in the next couple of model years is a flex-fuel version of the 6.2L V-8 as well as GM's new 4.5L diesel V-8. HUMMER officials have made it clear that by 2010 all of their vehicles will be capable of running on biofuels, but no hybrid activity appears to be going on within the brand at this time.

Click the Sierra hybrid for a high-res gallery

As projected a few days ago, GMC has announced a hybrid version of the Sierra full-size pickup truck. This one should come as a surprise to no one. Aside from badging and the grille and headlights, this is the same as the Silverado hybrid that was announced at the LA Auto Show. It has the same two-mode hybrid system that is appearing in other GM full-size trucks. The 300V nickel metal hydride battery resides under the second row seat. The truck gets some aerodynamic tweaks including a deeper front air dam and a standard tonneau cover over the bed. Towing capacity from the 6.0L V-8 and hybrid powertrain is 6,100 lbs for the two wheel drive and 5,900 lbs for the four wheel drive. Fuel efficiency should increase by forty percent around town and twenty-five percent overall.

[Source: General Motors]

Click on the Denali XT for a high-res gallery

Even with the growing ranks of hybrids on the road, all so far all the production models relay solely on gasoline for fuel. In mid-2007, Ford began testing Escape hybrids with E85 flex-fuel capability. Now General Motors is following suit with their latest concept that will debut this week at the Chicago Auto Show. The new GMC Denali XT concept brings together several technologies in a body style familiar to Australians and fans of the old Chevy El Camino.

While the El Camino disappeared from US shores in the early 1980s, GM and Ford have both continued building car-based pickup trucks in Australia. Subaru unsuccessfully tried to revive the genre here with the Baja a few years ago and Toyota showed the little A-BAT concept at the recent Detroit Auto Show. Like A-BAT, the Denali XT takes the format and adds a hybrid powertrain, in this case GM's two-mode hybrid system as used in their full size trucks. But that's just the start. Read on after the jump to find out all the details.

[Source: General Motors]