GM working on new dedicated hybrid sedan?
2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors' current crop of midsize hybrid sedans are rarely mentioned in the same breath as hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima – let alone the standard-bearing Toyota Prius and its main competitor from Japan, the Honda Insight. According to The General, much of the blame for the slow sales of the Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura hybrids is due to the small mileage improvement of the mild hybrid powertrain compared to a standard four-cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission. No kidding, right?
Fortunately, GM apparently has a plan to address its midsize hybrid shortcomings. Speaking to GM-Volt.com, Chevrolet head Ed Peper said:
What we are trying to work towards is 'Yes,' we will have other hybrid vehicles (besides the Volt) but we are trying to work towards a dedicated hybrid... We think that's probably a better way for us to go longer term.And now for the fun part: Speculation. If GM were to develop a new dedicated midsize hybrid model, it seems likely that it would use its sophisticated 2-Mode Hybrid system in lieu of the mild belt-alternator-starter system currently employed in the Malibu and Aura hybrids. The first production instance of the 2-Mode system in a front-drive application is expected in either the Cadillac SRX or the Chevy Equinox, possibly in 2011. A dedicated hybrid sedan could soon follow using the same drivetrain.
Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid
Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: GM-Volt.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 4:21PM (7/13/2009)
First off, BAS is/was a dead end technology when it comes to being able to market as a hybrid. Call it Start/Stop or something but marketed as a hybrid, it just couldn't go toe-to-toe with ANY of the other hybrid technologies in the same markets (ref: Vue Green Line vs. Ford Escape Hybrid, Aura Green Line vs. Camry or Accord Hybrid).
Secondly, if the author is correct and GM does decide to go with a smaller two-mode system, wouldn't this push production of this vehicle well into 2012-13 (since the mid-level SUV version is "possibly" due out in 2011)? I hope GM is factoring in the expected technology growth and market change between now and 2012-2013 when designing this vehicle. If they think today's (two-mode) tech will cut it, they may have another BAS type sales failure on their hands.
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paulwesterberg 5:35PM (7/13/2009)
GM's bas mode failed because the trucks and suvs they added the system to did not appeal to any customers.
People interested in better mileage and lower emissions bought cars with a real hybrid system.
Joe six pack doesn't care about emissions, he doesn't want to pay a lot for an expensive system that will cost more if it needs to be repaired and he doesn't want to pay more for new technology unless it will save a ton of cash at the gas pump. GM buyers just couldn't justify the extra cost and complexity of bas.
As long as gas prices stay low I'm not sure that the 2-mode will sell either.
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whatever 12:11AM (7/14/2009)
Somebody tell GM that their cars still look like crap!
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monica 10:44AM (7/14/2009)
I don't trust GM.
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