The SAE International's Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine awarded the 2008 Best Engineered Vehicles to the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid. The dual-mode (sometimes called two-mode) hybrid engines, co-developed by Chrysler and BMW, has impressed many with it's ability to increase the fuel economy of these large SUVs by 50% in city driving.
But many hybrid enthusiasts feel that getting your city driving just over 20 mpg isn't all that impressive. GM hybrid have had limited sales so far, but given the price tag (over $50,000), that's not surprising. The federal tax break on hybrid cars does help, but not much.
Press Release Follows:
WARRENDALE, Pa., April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Readers and editors of SAE International's Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine crown General Motors' Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid as 2008's Best Engineered Vehicles.
"General Motors has significantly re-engineered its class-leading full-size sport utility vehicles - the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon - with the first application of groundbreaking hybrid technology," Kevin Jost, Editorial Director of Automotive Engineering International, said. "The vehicles' advanced technology enables consumers looking for an efficient SUV a choice that does not involve sacrificing a cargo-hauling and trailer-towing capacity in return for improved fuel economy."
The Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids boast improved fuel economy compared to their gasoline-only counterparts. This is due to a state-of-the-art two-mode hybrid system developed in partnership with BMW and DaimlerChrysler.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ratings for the two-wheel drive models are 21 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 22 mpg for highway driving. The four-wheel drive models achieve an EPA rating of 20 mpg city/highway.
The vehicles still deliver full-size SUV performance, with a 6,200-pound towing capacity for the two-wheel drive models, and a 12,000-pound Gross Combination Weight Rating for the four-wheel drive models. Both seat eight passengers.
The Best Engineered Vehicle award winners will be announced at the SAE 2008 World Congress, to be held April 14-17 at Cobo Center, Detroit. The winners also will be published in AEI's May 2008 edition.
Photo by dethtrip99 at flickr
Friday, April 11, 2008
SAE Gives GM Tahoe and Yukon Hybrid 2008 Best Engineered Vehicles
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1 comment:
With the technology applied on this car, no doubt on why it was chosen as the 2008 Best Engineered vehicles.
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