General Motors Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid

Boasting a 50 percent improvement in city fuel economy, General Motors will showcase its new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid – the only hybrid full-size SUVs – at the 2007 State Fair of Texas, Sept. 28 – Oct. 21. The Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids, to be built at the GM Arlington Assembly Plant, will deliver a 30 percent gain in overall fuel economy and, during certain driving conditions, will run on pure electricity. The Tahoe and Yukon Hybrids’ 6.0L V-8 engine is equipped with the GM Active Fuel Management system, which disengages half of the engine’s cylinders when full engine power is not needed, allowing the engine to move seamlessly from V-8 to V-4 on driving demands. Electric-only propulsion is available up to 30 mph, which is key to reducing fuel consumption in heavy stop and go traffic – like being caught in DFW metro area traffic.

Electric power assists the engine to save fuel during brisk acceleration or additional pulling power for towing. During vehicle deceleration, fuel is cutoff to the engine and the hybrid system’s battery pack is recharged via regenerative braking. Tthe 2008 Tahoe and Yukon boast vastly improved fuel economy over their gasoline-only siblings. Two-wheel drive models, for example, deliver 21 mpg in the city, a 50 percent improvement over their 5.3L non-hybrid siblings and comparable to the much-smaller 2008 2.4L-equipped Toyota Camry sedan.