The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is Awesome

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 at 9:43 am

The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the only SUV vehicle in its class that offers a way to get green without sacrificing quality and luxury. The Hybrid seats eight. The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the only full size SUV with a 2 mode hybrid powertrain on the market. Due to its 2 mode hyrbrid powertrain, the Escalade Hybrid recieves 50 percent better fuel efficiency in city driving and 40 percent increase overall.

The 2 mode hybrid powertrain integrates the brand’s Vortec 6.0-liter V-8 Motor with GM’s EVT Automatic transmission. The Electronic Variable Transmission has 2 electric engines and 4 driving gears.GM’s Active Fuel Management System in the V8 shuts down 4cylinders in light load conditions to save fuel. It also shuts off at stoplights or when idling and restarts when needed, and the electric motors allow the engine to operate in the four cylinder mode more often.

With light throttle, the electric motors can propel the New Cadillac Escalade up to 30 mph, but together the electric motor and gasoline engine produce 332 hp and 367lb.ft. of torque.The 300Volt battery pack is stored under the second row seats and propels the electric engines, the elecric power steering system, and the air conditioning compressor. Regenerative braking charges the batteries. The Escalade hybrid is available in two and four wheel drive.The hybrid powertrain does not come in any other trim but the standard length Escalade.

As far as towing capability, the new Cadillac Escalade will be rated to tow up to 6000 pounds with rear wheel drive and 5700 pounds with all wheel drive. On the inside, the Escalade Hybrid has an 8-inch touch screen that showcases the hybrid drive system and informs the driver as to which mode the SUV is running in. There is a handy economy gauge in the Hybrid that lets the driver know which ‘zone’ to drive in to amplify mpg.There is also an Auto Stop reader on the tachometer that indicates when the gasoline engine is off.

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