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Detroit, 9:35 PM
Wed Dec 9
27 posts in the last 24 hours
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08/13/09
08/13/09
I say why not? 6.0L 332hp V8 Hybrid.
And FYI folks both these pigs use the same 2-mode hybrid transmission jointly developed by GM/BMW/(ex)DCX. How do I know? I worked on the damn thing! Shameful...I know.
08/13/09
08/14/09
Cheyenne was a Chevy pickup.
08/13/09
08/13/09
Needs a vinyl landau roof.
08/13/09
08/13/09
[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: Bonus points for correct use of word "specious". I think.]
08/13/09
Sure, half the cylinders and no ability to be a dick and block everyone else's view of the road, but that's the price you pay if you don't want people giving you the finger and cutting you off in traffic.
08/13/09
Should read "I'm-not-a-parasite-I'm-helping-the-planet glow".
08/13/09
[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: I just noticed that, too. Was trying to fix a star's typo. Because, yeah, that's another thing that I do.]
08/13/09
08/13/09
08/13/09
Like (an otherwise pointless) F1 it may be a test bed for new tech, but miles-per-gallon-per-tonne is not the issue.
It's too damn big.
08/13/09
08/13/09
This isn't freedom of speech we're talking about here, it's simply consumer products. In this case something which is frankly, unnecessary. That's not to say that it's alone in this. There are plenty of highly attractive products which are unnecessary. For example; I may want a Ferrari with every fiber of my being, but it doesn't mean that I need it. It's an important distinction often lost when people fall sway to the message of constant advertisement.
Luckily I don't need a Saturn either.
08/13/09
08/13/09
[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: That is not how it is done around here. Wise up, fast.]
08/13/09
08/13/09
08/13/09
Next year, we'll probably see a cabrio version.
08/13/09
Pointless? Yeah. Retarded? Maybe. Awesome? Pretty much!
It seems like they used the electric motor just to boost power and torque, instead of focusing solely on mpg.
08/13/09
08/13/09
Heh, now I'm imagining Bangle as a sherpa. Funny image.
08/13/09
[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: If I see someone use the word "retarded" again in a context unrelated to people who qualify for membership in a chapter of ARC, I'm going to demote/destar. Think I'm being overly sensitive? Tell my good friend whose sister qualifies.]
08/13/09
The X6 would make a nice coupe at half the size, but you take on the twisties with the CUVs you have.
08/13/09
If they are going to give us mild hybrid drivetrains, how about one in a 3-series? A mild hybrid 3-series in the vein of this butt-ugly monster would be a blast.
08/13/09
08/13/09
08/13/09
On paper it makes alot of sense to add hybrid drive trains to add hybrid drive trains to large cars. Lets compare a car going from 25 mpg to 50mpg (about a midsize car to a prius) to a car going from 12 mpg to 18mpg. Lets assume 10,000 miles a year of driving:
25 mpg car = 400 gallons a year
50 mpg car = 200 gallons a year
The hybrid system saves 200 gallons a year
12 mpg = 833.3 gallons a year
18 mpg = 555.6 gallons a year
Hybrid will save 278 gallons a year
The cost of they hybrid system will be more because of bigger motors and batteries, but not much more since the development money is about the same and a motor twice as powerful is not twice as expensive. And since these cars are more expensive in the first place, the relative cost of the hybrid system is much less than going from a Corrola to a prius. So you will make up the cost of hybrid system much faster. The gains from a hybrid system on these cars is huge and the penalty is relatively much smaller. If you assume people still want SUVs and large luxury cars, want to save fuel, but not sacrifice anything, hybrids make a ton of sense.
Not only that, you are not competing against the prius. You have a market that you get define. Notice even Honda is not doing well trying to go head to head with the prius.
The problem is that the prius is mostly about image. That is what helps it sell so well. Basically the GM system assumes people want to save money on fuel and it makes a ton of sense it that perspective. The problem is that the only hybrid that really sells well is the prius and even that is not stellar with low gas prices.
08/13/09
08/13/09
Bullshit. How is the only 50 mpg new car you can buy (besides a Tesla) about image? If you go to fueleconomy.gov or EPA Green Vehicle Guide there's only one car at the top, what do you suggest people buy instead?
Every automaker would like to make a practical mid-size car that gets 50 mpg for a reasonable price, but as you acknowledge, that phenomenal engineering achievement has eluded the rest so far.
If you assume people still want SUVs and large luxury cars, want to save fuel, but not sacrifice anything, hybrids make a ton of sense.
Sure, my friends just got a Highlander Hybrid through Cash for Clunkers, they need a big car. But I suspect that when people care about mpg and pollution many realize they don't need an SUV.
08/13/09
The Prius is $11k Canadian more than the Matirx, and both produce about the same power (130 hp or so).
The mileage difference is 3.3 L/100km
The warranty on the hybrid components is 160 000 km.
Multiply those numbers and you get 5280 litres. Thus in the distance you've driven to void the hybrid warranty, you've saved 5280L of fuel or so.
Right now, fuel in Canada is kicking around the dollar or so per litre. But even if fuel is $2/L, the Matrix is cheaper. Plus you could invest that $11 grand you saved by buying a Matrix in a mutual fund (now is not a bad time) and use the interest towards fuel.
You'll still be driving a boring car, but at least people won't hate you, and you'll have more money.
Nobody buys a Prius to save money.
08/14/09
Did you not read a word I wrote? People buy the Prius because it's the most fuel-efficient least-polluting car you can buy. Money doesn't enter into it, except in that the premium you pay for this feature is surprisingly low.
Anyone who expects the feature of "more fuel-efficient less-polluting" to pay for itself is deluded.
08/13/09
08/13/09