2005 Chevrolet Silverado Review

Specifications

The Right Truck for the Right Time

Doing the “right thing” and opting for a hybrid vehicle (HEV) doesnt have to mean giving up practicality, even if you need the use of a truck. At least this will be true once the summer is over and the annual barrage of new vehicles start to go on sale across the nation.

At this time Honda and Toyota wont only be joined by Ford in the race for hybrid gasoline-electric buyers this fall, with the introduction of its long anticipated Escape Hybrid, but General Motors will be the worlds first to market with a full-size HEV pickup truck.

If there ever was an automotive application that needed hybrid power, the light truck category is it. GM introduced its “FlexPower” hybrid powertrain to the media at the 10th National Clean Cities Conference and Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Since the introduction the domestic automaker delivered fifty new Chevrolet Silverado extended cab hybrid pickups to Miami-Dade County for fleet use. No doubt this will just be the first of such orders, with governments and environmentally conscious corporations quick to pick up on trends that prove popular in the public eye.

But the Silverado hybrid isnt just a way for politicians and corporate execs to get on the good side of environmentalists. Its also a much more efficient hauler than its gasoline-only powered equivalent. Starting with a 5.3-liter V8 and 4-speed automatic transmission, the addition of an electric motor and battery power storage allows it to garner from 10 to 12 percent better fuel economy over the standard GM 1500 pickup. A hybrid Sierra will also be offered, capable of boasting “best fuel economy of any full-size truck” specifications as well.

“These hybrid pickups will save more fuel than gasoline-powered pickup trucks, with no compromise in performance or utility. In addition, Miami-Dade [and all those that purchase a Silverado HEV] will now have the flexibility and productivity of generating wall-quality electrical power from the GM pickup truck when in remote locations,” commented John Gaydash, GM Fleet and Commercial marketing director.

How does it work? GM replaces the conventional electric starter and alternator with a compact electric motor, itself integrated between the engine and transmission in a patented, space-efficient manner. Unfortunately there isnt any added torque provided by the electric motor to help out when towing heavy loads, but nevertheless the electric motor does supply power to the transmission that in-turn delivers torque smoothing to the drivetrain. Up to 14,000 watts of continuous electric power is generated.

Those used to the regular rumble of a big V8 at idle, or an even louder diesel, will find the hybrid a bit of a shock when the engine stops running when the truck is stationary. Releasing the brake pedal will immediately spark the V8 engine to life and full power is restored.

Unlike Toyotas full-hybrid technology, also adapted by Ford and soon Nissan, the Silverado and Sierra trucks make use of a less sophisticated partial or mild-hybrid system - much the same as used by Honda. The jury is out as to which is better over the long haul, but partial systems are not considered quite as efficient as full-hybrid systems, as the gasoline engine needs to be running while under way - unless coasting. Full-hybrid systems can drive on electric power alone, until the batteries need recharging at which time the gasoline engine restarts.

The new GM hybrid pickups do take advantage of regenerative braking, however, which uses the kinetic energy developed by braking to recharge the batteries.

Another GM advantage is that when the truck is stopped and the gasoline engine is shut off, the HVAC system can still be operational - not the case for Honda. Turn on the A/C while at a stoplight in the Insight, for instance, and the engine immediately springs to life. The Silverado and Sierra, on the other hand, use an electric pump for circulating hot water to heat the cabin, plus cold, dry air for the air conditioning system. An electrically driven hydraulic pump allows the driver to turn the powered steering wheel while stationary, without the need for the gasoline engine to power up.

Contractors and campers alike will appreciate the four 120-volt, 20 amp electrical auxiliary power outlets, found under the rear bench seat and in the pickup bed. Good for everything from plugging in the laptop to powering a table saw, the power source can be activated while the truck is running or after being shut off and the keys taken out of the ignition. Importantly the systems power supply circuits are protected by a ground fault detection system so overloads and short circuits wont be a problem. According to GM, the new hybrid pickups could maintain power for up to 32 hours non-stop before needing to fill the tank. In an intelligent move, the engineers designed it to shut down before needing a complete refill, to allow enough gas to get to a filling station.

Its not known whether GM will bring a civilian version of its diesel hybrid military pickup truck to market either. Equipped with a fuel cell auxiliary power unit its pretty sophisticated equipment, improving fuel economy over a conventionally powered diesel pickup by 20 percent. Whether it gets the retail green light or not is irrelevant, at least for the time being. It is, however, sign enough that GM is on top of environmentally friendly technology.

As previously mentioned, Chevys Hybrid Silverado will be available to retail customers as 2005 models this fall. No doubt the automaker will look to expand its full-size HEV advantage to other models shortly, with the Tahoe/Yukon and Suburban/Yukon XL on the agenda - although no official announcement has been made.

In the end, GM is bringing a technology to the pickup truck segment that is long overdue. With advantages in acceleration, fuel economy, environmental concerns and plug-in versatility, the Chevy Silverado Hybrid is a natural choice for those that choose to work and play hard.