Introducing the 2-Mode Hybrid Cadillac Escalade
GM has done it again. They have moved their groundbreaking 2-mode hybrid drivetrain into another very large vehicle, the luxury Cadillac Escalade. Using this drivetrain, the vehicles will get a 50% increase in city fuel economy.
These new Cadillac models will premiere this Friday, November 9 at the South Florida International Auto Show in Miami. They will also appear at next week’s Los Angeles International Auto Show.
The full press release is below:
ESCALADE HYBRID: CADILLAC PREMIERES THE FIRST HYBRID IN A LARGE LUXURY SUV
MIAMI – Cadillac announced the world premiere of the Escalade Hybrid, the world’s first fuel-saving hybrid applied to a large luxury SUV. Powered by an innovative, fuel-saving 2-Mode Hybrid system, Escalade Hybrid will deliver more than a 50-percent improvement in fuel economy in city driving – all while delivering the same distinctive style, segment-leading features and full-size capability that have made the Escalade an icon.
“Escalade, already the sales and style leader among large luxury SUVs, now adds the desirability of a fuel-saving, technically advanced hybrid system,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “The arrival of Escalade Hybrid means that consumers can now use less fossil fuel, reduce emissions and still enjoy the benefits of a full-size luxury SUV.”
The Hybrid goes on sale in the summer of 2008 and is the newest example of Escalade’s technology leadership.
“No other manufacturer offers a hybrid than can seat eight luxuriously while simultaneously carrying or trailering lots of cargo comfortably,” Taylor said. “And no hybrid delivers the dramatic presence that is synonymous with Escalade.”
Escalade Hybrid is available in 2WD and 4WD configurations. It delivers up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg) of usable towing capacity on 2WD models and 5,700 pounds (2,565 kg) on 4WD models. All of Escalade’s standard comfort and convenience features are included. This includes an eight-inch, touch-screen navigation system that displays performance readouts of the 2-Mode Hybrid system on the screen.
Escalade Hybrid extends Cadillac’s leadership in the large luxury SUV category. Escalade sales have grown in the face of changing sales trends and increased competition. In fact, Escalade sales increased 22 percent in September over year-ago sales. Other models in the Escalade lineup include the extended-length Escalade ESV and the versatile Escalade EXT luxury-utility truck. The Hybrid model is available with the standard Escalade body style.
Patented 2-Mode Hybrid technology
The Escalade’s 2-Mode Hybrid system allows it to return exceptional fuel economy in both city and highway while delivering the capabilities of a true luxury SUV. In city driving, this advanced hybrid power system enables Escalade to launch and drive low speeds on electricity alone. As additional power is demanded, the system blends output from the battery and gas engine smoothly.
GM’s patented 2-Mode Hybrid system consists of an advanced electrically variable transmission (EVT) and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS). These systems work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 Gen IV gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late-intake valve closing (LIVC) technology. AFM enables the V-8 engine to seamlessly shut off half of its cylinders when less power is needed, such as during highway cruising. This new hybrid system not only enables the Escalade Hybrid to drive low speeds on electricity alone, it also allows the 6.0L V-8 engine to operate in its more economical four-cylinder mode for longer periods.
The key to Escalade’s 2-Mode hybrid system is that the electric power used to propel the vehicle is generated by the hybrid system itself. When the brakes are applied or the vehicle is coasting, the electric motors within the hybrid system create electricity that is stored in the 300-volt battery. This stored energy is used to move the vehicle and the regenerative braking cycle is renewed.
The 2-Mode Hybrid system provides seamless, dependable power on demand in an efficient package. In fact, its electric motor is less than half the size of those in single-mode hybrid systems. This technology was developed and is still used in fleets of hybrid transit buses on the streets today in dozens of major North American cities. Scaled-down for use in full-size SUVs, the 2-Mode system delivers fuel savings where it is needed most – in large vehicles with high levels of capability. It is a core part of GM’s energy diversity efforts, which are centered on reducing dependence on petroleum, improving fuel economy, reducing emissions and minimizing the automobile’s impact on the environment.
Cadillac’s smooth and quiet power
Acoustic details specific to the Hybrid model ensure it delivers the superior luxury that has been an Escalade hallmark since its inception. The details include:
• A new exhaust system and resonator specially tuned for the 6.0L LIVC engine’s Active Fuel Management operation. It ensures comfortable interior acoustics and a pleasant exhaust note during both V-4 and V-8 operation
• An electrically driven, 300-volt air conditioning compressor reduces vibration and allows the HVAC system to cool the passenger compartment even when the gasoline engine is shut off. It includes the standard tri-zone climate system
• An electrically driven, 42-volt variable-assist power steering reduces vibration and provides up to a 0.5-mpg fuel economy improvement by reducing parasitic losses common in belt-driven hydraulic systems
• The Energy Storage System cooling system’s internal fan is tuned to be quiet at low vehicle speeds, when the fan could more easily be heard by the occupants.
Escalade aesthetic
The Escalade Hybrid retains the qualities that have made it the leading large luxury SUV and a standard-bearer of Cadillac’s overall product renaissance. It is instantly identifiable as a Cadillac and incorporates styling cues from the landmark Sixteen concept vehicle, including a detailed signature grille, front fender vent ports and layers of chrome accents.
The Escalade’s warm and inviting interior features a premium layout. It is available in two colors, Ebony and Cashmere. Standard features include a distinctive instrument panel; gauges with white needles and blue light inlays with continuously lit, white-LED backlighting; Nuance leather-covered seats; leather-covered door trim and center console; and a power-assisted rear liftgate that opens and closes with the touch of a button.
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21 Responses to “Introducing the 2-Mode Hybrid Cadillac Escalade”
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November 9th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Zzzzzzzzzz. Not what the market wants.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:40 am
This is a good thing, which I hope ends up as a footnote to automotive history.
Yes, we need better fuel efficiency. Someday soon, I hope that people will realize that this is more important than a huge effing vehicle that wastes incredible amounts of resources to build and maintain, let alone move down the street.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Getting the fatsos to thin down a bit really helps a great deal. Going from 12 mpg to 18 saves 400 gallons of gas a year, more than going from 20 mpg to 40 mpg. I agree that driving 3 tons to Starbucks is a bit wasteful, but getting the gluttons to drink less saves more than going from healthy cuisine to vegan, so to speak. The real answer is Electric, and its coming from all of the car manufacturers, each taking their own approach. I hope GM delivers the Volt within 3 years and other EFlex models shortly there after, but if they don’t, other companies will. Battery technology may never deliver a car capable of driving 400 miles and recharging in 10 minutes with an acceptable lifetime, but that doesn’t matter because EVRx vehicles make that point unimportant.
I am going to buy the cheapest photovoltaics I can find for the roof of my home, put up a wind generator, and tell the Saudis, Citgo, Lukoil and the others to find a sale somewhere else.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
No plug? NO SALE!
November 9th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Wow! Such schepticism from a green crowd!
The way I see it this is great news! These are high cost/ high profit margin vehicles and they have the most room to add hybrid versions too, that can be used as funding to finance the Volt for the unprofitable introductory years. Also at the same time increase the fuel milage of these large SUV’s.
I want to get the Vlt and I want it to be at a reasonable cost. This helps!
November 9th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Would expect nobody on this web site to be in the market for this type vehicle but there is for sure a market. Like it or not there are many people that will purchase such oversized vehicles. I agree with the GM position in that if there is a market for large SUV and if they can improve the MPG, then do it. Another possible good thing is that maybe GM will take the profits from this type of vehicle and apply it to the research and development of the Volt.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I’m not into giant SUVs, and I consider the Escalade to be gaudy. But that’s why I don’t own one. But for people with a different opinion, I think this an excellent alternative to the conventional Escalades. Allegedly, the 2-mode hybrid powertrain is a marvel of modern engineering and considering the fuel savings, likely neglible cost difference, the fact that it does cost more, and the current politics regarding oil, along with high gas prices, I think that will make this Escalade the winner of the large luxury SUV pack. I just think it would be great if GM were to announce plans to make this one of the next GM 2-mode plug-ins.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Feh.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
This is a good start.
But I think GM needs to get the Volt’s technology into all of its vehicles as quickly as possible. I would think that a Corvette will go as fast or faster with the this new plug-in technology. Perhaps it will need bigger electric motors? But I don’t think there is a reason why the technology shouldn’t be everywhere and phase out the ICE only vehicles quickly.
November 9th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Calling this system “two mode” is asinine. According to wikipedia, the difference is that in mode 1, the engine is optionally on, whereas in mode 2 (under high load/speed) the engine is always on. So it’s not two-mode as in “yay! I can have either chocolate or vanilla”, it’s a confusing engineering distinction of questionable desirability.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Since GM will plug-inize the Saturn Vue dual mode in 2009, I’m wondering if GM isn’t
thinking of adding plug-in capabilities to ALL of their dual modes. It would seem an easy (and perhaps the only) way to boost MPG for their heavy artillery and I would think that once you’ve plug-inized one dual mode, you can easily do the same thing to any of the others. It’s an intriquing idea.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Tom #9 - Not actually.
In this case “two mode” is different than other hybrid drivetrains (Ford/Toyota) in that there are two electric motors which provide power to the drivetrain. One which functions primarily at low speeds and the other which functions at higher speeds. GM, as well as Chrysler are intent that this is a better approach than the single motor hybrid system used by their competitors.
IMO it doesn’t really matter what technology is being used as long as the numbers are there. Congrats to the general for expanding their hybrid line-up. If I had a recording contract I’d definitely haul my entourage around in one of these puppies.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
[quote comment="13853"]According to wikipedia,…[/quote]
There’s your problem.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Allah has not blessed wikipedia.
November 10th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
These are good news. The GM hybrid concept is interesting. If that system is combined with brayton cycle engines instead of conventional Otto cycle engines the results could be awesome. This concept could be taken further with the plug-in. A 50 Mpg Escalade is probably far less impossible than it seems.
I totally agree with comment 3 (ziv). The increase of efficiency from 12 mpg to 18 mpg is a lot more important than improving already efficient cars. Technology solutions are always expensive at first, you can’t fit that into an Aveo an expect to have this cheaply.
It seems that GM brains are finally starting to work. That is very good.
November 10th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Fabian said:
“It seems that GM brains are finally starting to work. That is very good.”
Agreed. Too bad they are/were so bureaucratic that only the impending threat of bankruptcy got them to pull their heads out of their a**es.
Thank god for competition.
No wonder communism failed.
November 11th, 2007 at 1:22 am
# Oil Jihadi Says:
November 10th, 2007 at 11:00 pm Quote
Fabian said:
“It seems that GM brains are finally starting to work. That is very good.”
Agreed. Too bad they are/were so bureaucratic that only the impending threat of bankruptcy got them to pull their heads out of their a**es.
=====
Correct. GM was not a car company, it was the accounting firm of General & Motors & Corporation.
Seems they’ve learned that good engineering isn’t that much more expensive than re-badgery of the 20 year old iron, and people are actually enthusiastic again.
M.
November 11th, 2007 at 10:56 am
How big do you think the market it for people who can afford this car and want to buy a car this big and yet fill guilty enough about destroying the planet that they want to buy the hybrid version?
January 10th, 2008 at 4:37 am
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January 31st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
esclades suck
June 17th, 2008 at 10:24 am
It’s cool, but C’mon…the release price for the vehicle is $85,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!