Hybrid Denali, Hybrid Tahoe, Flex-Fuel V-10 F 250 - Auto Show "Innovation"

[hatrack]

EDIT

Ford came up with a version of the F-250 truck, the Super Chief, which is tri-flex on fuel: It can run on hydrogen, E85 ethanol or gasoline. But, of course, it's also a huge V-10-powered truck with only a 12 percent improvement in fuel economy. Wouldn't the concept have worked better on a smaller platform? Although carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are down a commendable 99 percent, this big bruiser gets 12 miles per gallon with gasoline, and only 13 with hydrogen. On E85, it gets a ridiculous 8.6 mpg. Just asking, Ford.

I have the same problem with the new 2008 full hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Denali, which were developed with input from BMW and DaimlerChrysler and made their debuts in Detroit. Yes, it's an achievement that Detroit is rolling out full hybrids, with these trucks complementing the Ford Escape Hybrid. GM says they'll have amazing fuel economy, considering the platform they're on, but these are giant 300-horsepower vehicles and the improvements will be incremental. I have higher hopes for the new "Green Line" Saturn Vue, a "mild" hybrid with a belt alternator system that should enable an auto-stop feature. Expect a little better than 30 mpg on the highway.

The Ford Reflex is more like it, a small car with the upsweeping gullwing doors that often make it onto show concepts (but rarely on production vehicles). Still, the Reflex has some great ideas, including an advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine with lithium-ion batteries that could in concept provide 65 mpg. I say "in concept" because the show car didn't actually have a drivetrain. But the headlights are powered by a solar panel! The insulation comes from recycled Nike sneakers! I'd love to love the Reflex, but I'd want to see it in dealer showrooms, not revolving on a show stand.

The retro concept is cool, but Detroit is starting to take it a bit far. Do we really need a retooled 475-horsepower Shelby GT 500 Mustang for 2007? Or a 6.1-liter Hemi-powered Dodge Challenger that shouts out 1970? As I recall, gasoline cost 30 cents a gallon back then. Taking the cake in the hideously ugly category was the all-new Chrysler Imperial concept, which looked like a collision between a Rolls Royce and a Maybach limousine. The inspiration for the Imperial was the classic Chryslers of the 1930s, but as I recall there was a Depression on then and few could afford such excess. I'm not sure Americans will be able to take the pain at the pumps necessary to keep this Hemi V-8-powered beast fueled up. Also plug-ugly was the new Mercedes GL 450, a huge diesel-powered seven-seat SUV. Of course, I'm very excited about the new colors available for the Hummer H3.

EDIT

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3054

[Dead_Parrot]

1. "But the headlights are powered by a solar panel!"

...!

[ihelpu2see]

2. I take my dioDiesel sipping VW TDi any day.

what Im hoping for is a i5 TDi in the EuroVan to replace the aging Dodge Grandcaravan gasomatic my wife drives. But all VW is importing this year 06 is the V10 TDi Toureg, im sure it will be in limited supply and its base is close to $60,000.... A bit pricey..

[skids]

3. Vue BAS isn't mild.

The Saturn Vue was initially going to be a mild hybrid that just did engine idling and regen breaking for onboard electronics. Then they decided that it would progress ahead of schedule to the BAS, which is sort of a bolt-on-the-side hybrid system engine customization. That's actually not a "mild" system, though it's wasn't clear when I read this whether any would come off the line with the mild onboard before the BAS ones appeared.

The Tahoe is supposed to be using the Allison system -- the big system for busses and trucks where power is injected through an extra gear in the transmission (but the transmission is still a shifter and fully inline with the engine/axle.) Seems to me a bit of a codge compared to the Synergy drive and Ford Transaxle, but they claim it works well and who knows, maybe planetaries for heavy vehicles just aren't practical.

Point taken though -- these hybrid monster trucks are a walking contradiction. I can understand the Ford Escape, but past that (except of course for military use) it's a bit silly.

[hatrack]

4. Yeah, it's puzzling

15.5 mpg vs. 13 mpg. BFD.