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Hybrid Silverado Pickup Puts GM on Hybrid Track, Barely February 2005The big 2005 Chevrolet Silverado LS four-wheel-drive, extended-cab pickup that showed up on my doorstep last week was green in more ways than one.First, it was painted the most spectacularly bright shade of apple green -- some call it "Jolly Rancher Green." But more important, this truck was "green" because it was a hybrid, the first hybrid truck I can recall that will be widely available to the public -- in this case, 2006. This Silverado hybrid has a compact electric motor integrated between the engine and the transmission instead of a conventional starter motor and alternator. It gets more miles to the gallon because it has an engine start/stop function and regenerative braking, which turns the motor into a generator as the truck slows down. Chevrolet The Chevrolet Silverado LS four-wheel-drive, extended-cab pickup could be the first hybrid truck made widely available to the public. Click photo for larger image. Extra fuel savings result from the fuel shutting off any time the truck coasts or brakes, at which time the electric motor comes on, and you barely notice any shutoff at all as you drive. Meanwhile, the truck has a hydraulic pump powered by electricity to keep the power steering system and other accessories operating at this time. Estimates from Environmental Protection Agency say the two-wheel-drive version gets 18 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway, while the 4x4 version I drove gets 17 in the city and 19 on the highway. The engine is a 295-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8. True, that hardly sounds all that "green" -- the ideal in my mind would still be a pickup truck that works more like conventional hybrids that give you anywhere from 35 to 60 miles per gallon. But General Motors should be commended for bringing reasonable fuel savings to what is an important segment of the transportation market. When you consider that the average conventional pickup gets pretty low mileage in the low teens, any improvement is a welcome one. If you want the "good stuff," however, be prepared to pay for it. Though Chevy isn't alone in offering expensive pickup trucks, the price on this one still set me back on my heels: $40,040! You get to knock $3,000 off for something called "power pack" savings, but even then, the price still was $37,040. But the standard equipment list is plentiful for the money, including the aforementioned V-8 and four-speed automatic. You get four-wheel-anti-lock brakes, halogen lamps, an LS decor package that includes power heated outside mirrors, AM/FM/CD stereo system, power locks and windows, all at no charge. It's the options that cause costs to add up. The $2,500 hybrid system includes such items as upgraded front leather seating surfaces, aluminum wheels, special paint, redundant radio controls and other items. There's also a light duty power package and a safe and sound package. How a truck or car feels to you is, of course, subjective; but the hybrid pickup I drove was actually quieter and smoother than most of the conventional models I have used. I hardly noticed any transitions resulting from the hybrid system -- no jerks, no sudden moves or other signs that anything was happening. Of course Chevy and GM offer some of the most comfortable interiors on the truck market, and this one was no exception. The seats were buttery soft and supportive, every imaginable option was present and all controls and buttons were in logical, easy-to-access spots. Having said that, the current design is dated and improvements are needed. GM is reportedly addressing these shortcomings, with the Silverado slated to be replaced within the next model year. But the major problem I had with the Silverado is the same one I have with all extended cab trucks with long beds: It's just too big. Parking was a real chore, as was maneuverability in crowded city traffic. It simply isn't a practical choice for the way I live, but it clearly works for most folks, given the healthy sales figures for this model. I prefer the regular cab Silverado models. Even if you get one with a long bed, it's about 2 feet shorter than the extended model. I'm more likely to opt for Chevy's Colorado, which is cool, is much smaller, is up-to-date technologically and is lots more fun to drive. Or I'd get a Silverado with the fantastic four-wheel steering system that makes parking a snap. It will be interesting to see how the buying public reacts to this green machine when the Silverado hybrid becomes widely available for sale. SOURCE: Post-Gazette | ||
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