US: Cadillac Escalade Hybrid debuts at South Florida motor show

Friday, November 09, 2007,

AutomotiveWorld.com

GM has unveiled the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid at the South Florida International Auto Show in Miami.

The new model, the world's largest hybrid SUV, is claimed by its maker to be 50% more economical on the city cycle, though GM is yet to release official figures. Official figures for the 2008 Escalade however, show that it averages 12mpg on the same cycle.

The new Hybrid swaps the Escalade's 6.2-litre V8 for the combination of a 6.0-litre unit with Active Fuel Management (cylinder shut-off, allowing it to run as a V4) and two electric motors. This is the same dual mode system that will also feature in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid. The technology was co-developed by GM, BMW and the former DaimlerChrysler. Chrysler LLC's first models with the dual mode system, the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid, will go on sale in early 2008.

Like the Lexus RX 400h, Cadillac's new SUV is able to run on its electric motor alone. GM says this is possible at speeds of up to 25mph (40km/h). At higher speeds, the rear-mounted electric motors assist with acceleration as required by driver demand. The 300-volt battery pack stores kinetic energy recouped under deceleration.

Other changes over other Escalades variants include variable-assist 42-volt power steering, an electrically-driven air conditioning compressor and a CVT gearbox.

The 2009 Escalade Hybrid is due to go on sale at Cadillac dealerships in North America from June 2008. Both rear- and all-wheel drive versions will be available. For the moment, the vehicle has no rivals but hybrid versions of the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class are under development. Neither of these will, like the Cadillac, be eight-seater vehicles, however.

GM states that it is currently assessing the market potential of the Escalade Hybrid for Europe and will make a decision "within the next six months".

Published on Friday, November 09, 2007