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Report: GM working on new dedicated hybrid

 
4 1,176 views Jul 13, 2009
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first pre production chevrolet volt prototype 004

The Volt isn't the only high-efficiency car in the works at GM

The Volt isn't the only high-efficiency car in the works at GM

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General Motors' engineers are quick to point out that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt isn't a hybrid at all - it's powered only by electricity, with the combustion engine serving only to extend its range. But according to a new report, GM does have plans for a dedicated, high-efficiency hybrid to one-up the Chevrolet Malibu mild hybrid.

Why is GM finally taking its game down the dedicated hybrid road? Because its mild hybrids aren't efficient enough to differentiate themselves from the already rather efficient standard powertrain vehicles, reports GM-Volt.

“One of the issues with the Malibu hybrid has been that the four cylinder 6 speed transmission Malibu gets 33mpg on the highway,” said Ed Peper, general manager of the Chevrolet division.

Unfortunately for GM, the dedicated hybrid won't be a short term solution. Peper says they are trying to 'work toward' a dedicated solution, but that it is a 'longer term' plan.

With talk of the Camaro Z28 getting shelved once again due in part to fuel consumption concerns, Fritz Henderson's reluctance to see the Pontiac G8 GXP live on as a Chevrolet and the work being done to bring the Chevrolet Cruze, Volt and this new dedicated hybrid to market, it's clear that General Motors, and in particular Chevrolet, have an intense focus on fuel economy for the future product plan.

With the recently enacted fuel efficiency standards raising the bar to a fleet-wide average of 35.5mpg by 2016, that may not be a bad idea, but one has to wonder how much of the new fuel-consciousness is directly attributable to the U.S. government's recent acquisition of a substantial portion of GM, and how that influence might affect the long-term culture within GM, and among its fans.
2011 Chevrolet Volt pre-production prototype

HI-RES GALLERY: first pre production chevrolet volt prototype 004




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Comments (4)

  1. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 7/14/2009 6:36am PDT

    this is huge. if gm puts the two mode hybrid system into a small car.. its going to leave the prius for dead.

    toyota... look out.
     
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  2. ma_brum08 avatar brum08 Posted: 7/14/2009 1:38pm PDT

    this is huge. if gm puts the two mode hybrid system into a small car.. its going to leave the prius for dead.

    toyota... look out.

    Are you talking about the prius that has about 50% of the hybrid market cornered? I hate the Prius but GM would have to put something pretty spectacular in there to "leave the prius for dead"
     
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  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 7/15/2009 12:14am PDT

    this is huge. if gm puts the two mode hybrid system into a small car.. its going to leave the prius for dead.

    toyota... look out.

    Yeah because GM is known for its great vehicles outside its trucks and the Malibu and CTS
     
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  4. By owlafaye Posted: 10/7/2009 6:40am PDT

    GM still doesn't get it. The Volt will be a huge disaster. GM needs:
    -a real hybrid akin to the Prius
    -a very high mileage gas engined car (60 mpg+)
    -a pure electric car
    -a hybrid sports car with long range on electric
    GM will bankrupt once again...mark my words.
     
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