Sometime late this year or early next year, General Motors will introduce its so-called “two-mode” hybrid system in a duo of SUVs, both powered by large V8 engines. The system will purportedly give these trucks the gas mileage of a minivan. Two electric motors housed inside the transmission, coupled to a 300-volt battery pack, can move the vehicles from a standstill to
20 mph on battery power alone. The engines kick in to achieve highway speeds.
But once the trucks reach a cruising speed, four of the eight cylinders shut down. Software constantly monitors the speeds and acceleration changes to shift power between electricity, eight cylinder gas power, and four-cylinder modes. GM
officials contend that all of this is remarkably seamless. The result would be a combined 22.5 miles to the gallon.
Source: Edmonds
