2005 GMC Sierra Hybrid 1500 Long Bed Truck
2005 GMC Sierra Hybrid 1500 Long Bed Truck
MSRP: est $32,000; Warranty: 3/36,000.
This Sierra won't attract the high school set with its regular size wheels, a 4-speed automatic, conventional 5.3L V-8 engine (5300 Vortec) and unfashionably long box. Which would probably make it just about ideal for a tradesman or a farmer ? especially if that person has to work on job sites that aren't serviced with electricity. With the exception of the heavy sticker price, this one would seem to have almost everything you'd need or want in a working pick up truck.
In the Driver's Seat of the GMC Sierra Hybrid Truck
The GMC Hybrid will look and feel totally familiar to anyone who knows the Sierra 2WD pick-up. With the exception of an inconspicuous button just below and to the right of the climate control system on the dash, which activates the two APO (auxiliary power) outlets on the right rear side of the 8-foot pick up box, there is scant hint that you're sitting in anything cutting edge here.
It's not really a hybrid.
At least it's not in the sense that the Lexus RX 400h and the Honda Accord Hybrid are hybrids. Like the Japanese (or real) hybrids, the GMC hybrid has regenerative braking and ISG. However, unlike them, it only has a small (42W) battery pack. The sole purpose of the battery pack seems to be to re-start the engine at stoplights and, of course, to power the APO, which will be of use to many tradesmen and farmers. Guys (and gals) who operate electric tools for a living will most certainly appreciate the convenience of the APO, if not the five grand or so extra upfront cost.
It's very comfortable for two adults. but will transport more passengers. With back-hinged (suicide) doors providing easy access to the small but practical-sized rear bench, two full-size adults could sit back there in relative comfort for short trips.
The GMC Sierra Hybrid truck drives like a regular 2WD GM Sierra pickup most of the time, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise since that's what it is. The major difference between driving the regular Sierra and the Hybrid can be felt when you're stopped for more than a few seconds ? like at a traffic light ? the engine shuts off and what you've got is complete silence. This can be eerie at first, especially if you've never driven any other hybrid vehicle.
Then the instant you step on the gas pedal, the engine fires back to life and you're off.
The second big difference is regenerative braking. When you take your foot off the gas ? for example, when you're descending a hill or even a modest grade - you feel a slight drag. That's the system collecting the energy from the slowing vehicle and storing it in the battery pack for future use. This too can be off-putting at first. Finally, you have to be wary when you're stopped on a grade because with this system, the auto transmission won't hold the vehicle from rolling backwards. You have to keep your foot on the brake to prevent smacking into the car behind.
But even this modest or hybrid-light system should return 10% - 12% better fuel economy than the regular Sierra V-8.
The GMC Sierra Hybrid truck is an important transition vehicle for GM. When the current fuel consumption regulations were enacted back in the mid-1970s, light trucks accounted for perhaps 20% of new vehicle sales and farmers and other business owners mostly used them. However for the past few years well over 50% of the vehicles GM has been selling in North America have been light trucks, a category which includes pick ups, minivans and SUVs.
The majority of these have been purchased by families.
In order to meet the 2006 fuel efficiency and emissions targets for light trucks and in the apparent absence of any stomach for going the clean-diesel route, GM has joined forces with DaimlerChrysler to develop a full series or two-mode hybrid system.
The Detroit Free Press reported (Aug 26, 2005) GM will be responsible for developing FWD hybrid systems for both cars and crossover vehicles and for both full size RWD and AWD trucks.
First off the line will be a 2007 GMC Yukon/Chev Tahoe hybrid. Plans are for 25% improved fuel consumption. One wonders if, in light of the impact Hurricane Katrina has had on the national fuel supply and delivery systems, whether even a 25% increase in efficiency is sufficient.
Quick Look
The 2005 GMC Sierra Hybrid is really just a typical Sierra 1500 pickup truck that's been fitted with an regenerative braking and in integrated starter and generator (ISG). ISG shuts the engine off at stoplights but instantly starts it up again when you step on the gas. Regenerative braking means juice is always available to the starter. Hybrid trucks provided a valuable learning tool for GM -- the automaker found it must either go deep into hybrid technology or go home.MSRP: est $32,000; Warranty: 3/36,000.
First Glance at the Sierra Hybrid Truck
The GMC Sierra Hybrid looks like a conventional extended cab Sierra 2WD pick up truck with extra stick-on graphics. These proclaim the vehicle's hybrid-ness. But this one is not really a hybrid. At least, it's not what the world thinks of as a hybrid. The truck has only two pieces of what can be labeled true hybrid technology: the integrated starter and generator (ISG) and regenerative braking.This Sierra won't attract the high school set with its regular size wheels, a 4-speed automatic, conventional 5.3L V-8 engine (5300 Vortec) and unfashionably long box. Which would probably make it just about ideal for a tradesman or a farmer ? especially if that person has to work on job sites that aren't serviced with electricity. With the exception of the heavy sticker price, this one would seem to have almost everything you'd need or want in a working pick up truck.
In the Driver's Seat of the GMC Sierra Hybrid Truck
The GMC Hybrid will look and feel totally familiar to anyone who knows the Sierra 2WD pick-up. With the exception of an inconspicuous button just below and to the right of the climate control system on the dash, which activates the two APO (auxiliary power) outlets on the right rear side of the 8-foot pick up box, there is scant hint that you're sitting in anything cutting edge here.
It's not really a hybrid.
At least it's not in the sense that the Lexus RX 400h and the Honda Accord Hybrid are hybrids. Like the Japanese (or real) hybrids, the GMC hybrid has regenerative braking and ISG. However, unlike them, it only has a small (42W) battery pack. The sole purpose of the battery pack seems to be to re-start the engine at stoplights and, of course, to power the APO, which will be of use to many tradesmen and farmers. Guys (and gals) who operate electric tools for a living will most certainly appreciate the convenience of the APO, if not the five grand or so extra upfront cost.
It's very comfortable for two adults. but will transport more passengers. With back-hinged (suicide) doors providing easy access to the small but practical-sized rear bench, two full-size adults could sit back there in relative comfort for short trips.
The GMC Sierra Hybrid truck drives like a regular 2WD GM Sierra pickup most of the time, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise since that's what it is. The major difference between driving the regular Sierra and the Hybrid can be felt when you're stopped for more than a few seconds ? like at a traffic light ? the engine shuts off and what you've got is complete silence. This can be eerie at first, especially if you've never driven any other hybrid vehicle.
Then the instant you step on the gas pedal, the engine fires back to life and you're off.
The second big difference is regenerative braking. When you take your foot off the gas ? for example, when you're descending a hill or even a modest grade - you feel a slight drag. That's the system collecting the energy from the slowing vehicle and storing it in the battery pack for future use. This too can be off-putting at first. Finally, you have to be wary when you're stopped on a grade because with this system, the auto transmission won't hold the vehicle from rolling backwards. You have to keep your foot on the brake to prevent smacking into the car behind.
But even this modest or hybrid-light system should return 10% - 12% better fuel economy than the regular Sierra V-8.
The GMC Sierra Hybrid truck is an important transition vehicle for GM. When the current fuel consumption regulations were enacted back in the mid-1970s, light trucks accounted for perhaps 20% of new vehicle sales and farmers and other business owners mostly used them. However for the past few years well over 50% of the vehicles GM has been selling in North America have been light trucks, a category which includes pick ups, minivans and SUVs.
The majority of these have been purchased by families.
In order to meet the 2006 fuel efficiency and emissions targets for light trucks and in the apparent absence of any stomach for going the clean-diesel route, GM has joined forces with DaimlerChrysler to develop a full series or two-mode hybrid system.
The Detroit Free Press reported (Aug 26, 2005) GM will be responsible for developing FWD hybrid systems for both cars and crossover vehicles and for both full size RWD and AWD trucks.
First off the line will be a 2007 GMC Yukon/Chev Tahoe hybrid. Plans are for 25% improved fuel consumption. One wonders if, in light of the impact Hurricane Katrina has had on the national fuel supply and delivery systems, whether even a 25% increase in efficiency is sufficient.
Source...