Cadillac Premieres Escalade 2-Mode Hybrid
09 November 2007
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| Escalade Hybrid. |
Cadillac announced the world premiere of the Escalade Hybrid, the world’s first hybrid applied to a large luxury SUV. Powered by the GM 2-Mode Hybrid system (earlier post), Escalade Hybrid will deliver more than a 50% improvement in fuel economy in city driving.
GM’s patented 2-Mode Hybrid system consists of an advanced electrically variable transmission (EVT) and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS). These systems work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 Gen IV gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late-intake valve closing (LIVC) technology. AFM enables the V-8 engine to seamlessly shut off half of its cylinders when less power is needed, such as during highway cruising.
By contrast, the conventional 2008 Escalade with its 6.2L V-8 with variable valve timing technology carries an EPA fuel economy rating of 12 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, 14 mpg combined.
The hybrid system not only enables the Escalade Hybrid to drive low speeds on electricity alone, it also allows the 6.0L V-8 engine to operate in its more economical four-cylinder mode for longer periods.
A new exhaust system and resonator specially tuned for the 6.0L LIVC engine’s Active Fuel Management operation ensures comfortable interior acoustics and a pleasant exhaust note during both V-4 and V-8 operation.
An electrically driven, 300-volt air conditioning compressor reduces vibration and allows the HVAC system to cool the passenger compartment even when the gasoline engine is shut off. It includes the standard tri-zone climate system. An electrically driven, 42-volt variable-assist power steering reduces vibration and provides up to a 0.5-mpg fuel economy improvement by reducing parasitic losses common in belt-driven hydraulic systems.
The Energy Storage System cooling system’s internal fan is tuned to be quiet at low vehicle speeds, when the fan could more easily be heard by the occupants.
GM is putting the Escalade Hybrid on sale in the US in the summer of 2008 and is evaluating the potential for sales of the Hybrid in Europe, with a decision expected within six months.
Escalade Hybrid is available in 2WD and 4WD configurations. It delivers up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg) of usable towing capacity on 2WD models and 5,700 pounds (2,565 kg) on 4WD models.
Anyone who buys this thinking they're being environmentally responsible needs to have their head examined.
Posted by: Icelander | 09 November 2007 at 05:58 AM
Not only that, but just try to get one. The Chevy Tahoe version of this is already "out". I defy anyone to actually get one. Just stop off at your Chevy dealer, let us know how that comes out........
Posted by: Bud Johns | 09 November 2007 at 06:20 AM
Going from 12 mpg to 18 mpg saves more than 400 gallons of gas a year if you drive about 15000 miles. That is a lot of gas regardless of whether the person should be hauling 3+ tons of steel with them to get a cup of coffee. There are more savings to be made in the piggish end of the gas mileage spectrum than at the lean end. Improving your mileage from 20 mpg to 40 mpg only saves 375 gallons a year, so it isn't unrealistic to try to save fuel and reduce the carbon footprint by improving the worst mileage offenders first.
Posted by: ziv | 09 November 2007 at 06:38 AM
Ziv,
The problem is a truck like this, hybrid or not, should not exist in the first place. Using this 2-mode technology in working trucks makes sense. Using so a mom can drive her 2 kids to work is silly.
Posted by: David | 09 November 2007 at 07:25 AM
Sorry, I meant school not work. :)
Posted by: David | 09 November 2007 at 07:26 AM
It should cost at least $10K/yr to license a monster like that one regarless of the number of modes.
Posted by: Harvey D | 09 November 2007 at 07:43 AM
Glad to see the domestics are finally capitalizing on the "Hype-brid" marketing craze. Maybe GM will survive after all. Like the Toyota/Lexus hybrids, they're just giving the ignorant masses the candy they want.
Yes, going from 12mpg to 18mpg will save 400 gallons per year. But I'm of the opinion that vehicles like these (HUMMERS, Escalades, Yukons, Tahoes, Navigators, Expeditions, Tundras, Sequoias, etc, etc) are a testament to our excessive greed, consumerism, egoism, and our total disregard for the planet and subsequent generations.
Vehicles like these should either be heavily taxed to the tune of $10,000 per year- or the gas tax should be raised to effectively give us $7 at the pump. Our highway infrastructure (and our national debt) could sure use the cash infusion this would create.
Like edmunds.com so aptly points out in their insideline coverage of this vehicle: this is only marginally more silly than a Lexus 600h - "Hype-brid."
Posted by: DieselHybrid | 09 November 2007 at 07:59 AM
Ziv,
great thinking.
David,
I think you are right that this thing should not exist. However, FACT IS that they do, because there is market demand. Ziv's analysis is quite correct. This technology (if data is correct), when applied to Escalades and F150s of the world, will save helluva more fuel then anything you can throw on European compacts and Japanese Kei cars. Americans are crazy, but there is no help to it. They will drive these things to school, and burn more fuel in stop-and-go driving then a sedan (with similar interior space) at 200km/h.
Posted by: Mirko | 09 November 2007 at 08:19 AM
Posted by: DS | 09 November 2007 at 08:23 AM
"should not exist in the first place"
WOW, you know who else used to think like that?
Do I wish it was 100% or 200% improvement? Yes, absolutely. But 50% is nothing to sneeze at and it's alot better than what we have been getting. I say, descent first step, now keep it going.
Posted by: Joseph | 09 November 2007 at 08:26 AM
In my humble opinion, this is just a proof-of-concept. The way I see it, there are two advantages to this vehicle being produced:
1. It allows GM an avenue to test their technology in a real world setting, and
2. It gives GM proof that Hybrids are desirable to the public. Furthermore, the profit margins on an Escalade are already rediculous, and this may help prove to GM that a hybrid model can be just as profitable as a non-hybrid.
Posted by: Bike Commuter Dude | 09 November 2007 at 09:26 AM
I am glad GM/Cadillac is offering this 2-mode hybrid Escalade, for this reason:
It is true that even with the advanced technology being utilized, its fuel economy still won't be as good as even a non-hybrid Toyota Corolla, let alone the Prius. But please, listen to this:
Not everyone can drive an itty-bitty compact.
Your friendly roofing contractor needs a Ford F-250 or whatever, to haul their equipment to your home when you need a new roof. That's one example. More relevant to Cadillac however, is this:
When the time comes for your father or mine, or your mother, grandmother, etc to have their final ride, they deserve the dignity of riding in a suitably sized hearse.
Now, I'll be less morbid. When the time comes for your teenage son or daughter to go to the senior prom, they and their dates deserve a suitably sized limosine.
This is why I am happy that this new Escalade has been developed. Its fuel economy may not compare well to the Corolla or Prius, but that's not what's important. What is, is that this new Escalade's fuel economy does compare favorably with less technologically sophisticated vehicles of similar size and function.
Posted by: Alex Kovnat | 09 November 2007 at 09:31 AM
To be fair, it's actually good MPG . . . for a gas-electric hybrid of it's size. But why gas-electric?! Go diesel-electric and the MPG would've been upper 30s to 40.
Posted by: Gerald Shields | 09 November 2007 at 10:50 AM
"should not exist in the first place"
WOW, you know who else used to think like that?
Joseph,
Are you really comparing me to I think you are?!?!?
Posted by: David | 09 November 2007 at 11:37 AM
"When the time comes for your father or mine, or your mother, grandmother, etc to have their final ride, they deserve the dignity of riding in a suitably sized hearse."
Mularkey! If they actually give a crap about the earth they'll get bussed to the crematorium with 100 other folks and could easily fit in the panier of my scooter on the final ride back to my mantel.
Posted by: tato | 09 November 2007 at 12:03 PM
Going from 12 mpg to 18 mpg saves more than 400 gallons of gas a year if you drive about 15000 miles.
Who's going to put on 15,000 city miles in a year with this? I thought the point of a giant SUV was to be master of rural/outdoor domains.
Posted by: | 09 November 2007 at 12:05 PM
Ham. Ham is best. Yes, I'm certain of it.
OK, maybe egg salad. Or turkey on rye mayo.
Posted by: Sandwich Lover | 09 November 2007 at 12:11 PM
"WOW, you know who else used to think like that?"
A: Your hero.
Posted by: icanac | 09 November 2007 at 12:23 PM
Yo, Mike! Godwin's Law alert, dude!
Posted by: dimitris | 09 November 2007 at 12:34 PM
David,
Getting Godwined is not a personal attack on your character. More of a slam on the comment you made is of a very radical or intolerant nature.
Posted by: Joseph | 09 November 2007 at 01:07 PM
"Who's going to put on 15,000 city miles in a year with this? I thought the point of a giant SUV was to be master of rural/outdoor domains."
Visit Dallas/Ft Worth or Houston. 15,000 is no problem, and you'll see far more countrified, worse mileage rides than an Escalade, but there's plenty of those too.
DieselHybrid's list of trucks and SUV's only scratches the surface in Texas.
Posted by: Elliot | 09 November 2007 at 01:13 PM
When Toyota launched Prius with 50 MPG, everyone thought that Hybrids
will help people with high mileage vehicles, but that soon dried up,
when Toyota launched Hybrid gas-guzzlers like Highlander, Rx400h and GS450h
and of late the LS600h with V8 engine and 500 hp.
GM just continues that route, they have the Hybrid mechanism for Tahoe/Yukon
and the same system can be applied to Escalade which has the same chassis and
engine as the other 2 vehicles. Logical.
The real objective of Hybrids now is to reduce the fuel consumption slightly
so that the automakers can continue selling bigger vehicles.
Another reason is to take the auto world from 2 Petro fuels (Gas & Diesel)
to Electricity thru plugins and other fuels like E85, Bio-diesel and Natgas.
Since Electricity costs the equivalent of $1 / gallon, everyone will
happily buy the gas-guzzlers.
But 1 good things is customer still have a choice of vehicle like Prius which
gives 45 MPG. So buy it.
FYI : Despite Dow falling 700 points in 3 days, Oil prices continue to hover at $96 / barrel. The day the Dow gains 500 points, 1 can see Oil at $100 / barrel.
Posted by: Max Reid | 09 November 2007 at 02:05 PM
Now, I'll be less morbid. When the time comes for your teenage son or daughter to go to the senior prom, they and their dates deserve a suitably sized limosine.
In Europe, we can rent limousines for rare occasions like this.
Posted by: globi | 09 November 2007 at 02:29 PM
“descent first step, now keep it going.”
I see there are a lot of negative Nells out there saying this is a bad thing. Or, at least, it’s not a good thing. I think Joseph and others have it right.
After reading the article, I told my wife that Cadillac has a car getting 12 mpg, but is coming out with a hybrid version that will increase the mileage by 50% and save 400 gal./ year. “Well, that sounds like good news”, she said.
Is she wrong?
Posted by: george k | 09 November 2007 at 02:58 PM
The old GM sleight of hand at work, as always. "50% better city fuel economy" - avoiding the fact that the combined economy is a 28% improvement.
Same way they always pimp their highway mileage in ads and only in fine print do you see it's not the combined MPG.
Good luck actually getting one of these. If they're anything like the "green line" vehicles, the dealers won't know what you're talking about and actively discourage you from getting one.
Posted by: t1 | 09 November 2007 at 03:22 PM