More importantly, says White, ''Everyone who has participated in the many fleet demonstrations we've held over the past two years has come away amazed at their smooth, seamless operation.''
White says the Silverado Hybrid and Sierra Hybrid pickups fit GM's strategy of introducing hybrid propulsion vehicles in high-volume market segments and in higher fuel-consumption vehicles -- basically providing the greatest benefits to the largest number of potential customers.
GM has taken a deliberate approach to developing its hybrids, White says, so that they perform as well as their regular gasoline-engine counterparts and use existing engineering resources and an existing plant to design and build them.
White adds that key hybrid components, such as an electro-hydraulic power-steering system mounted to the engine, were also designed for ready adaptation to other future models, without requiring any major modifications.
The new Silverado Hybrid and Sierra Hybrid pickups feature GM's Vortec 5.3-liter V8 and Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission coupled with new propulsion technology.
Compared to GM half-ton pickups with the equivalent powertrain, they provide a 10-percent to 12-percent increase in fuel economy, the same 295 hp at 5200 rpm and 330 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm, and comparable load-carrying, towing and grade-climbing capability.
On top of that, there are 120-volt electrical auxiliary power outlets (APO) under the rear seat of the cab and in the pickup bed that accommodate up to four accessories.
''Customers can power APO accessories while driving or when parked,'' White explains, and ''all power supply circuits are protected by a ground fault detection system to prevent overloads and short circuits.
There is also auxiliary generator capability, White says, ''so that when the truck is parked its generator can operate without a key in the ignition and can be used to power anything from tools at a construction site to appliances at an RV campground.''
This hybrid system will also deliver ''fast, quiet engine starts,'' White promises, thanks to a direct drive electric motor, without any gears, with the electric motor replacing the conventional starter and alternator.
Finally, there's the all-important ''virtually transparent hybrid system operation, with vehicle feel and performance equivalent to that of a conventional truck.'' This means the buyer of one of these vehicles would have to do virtually nothing to operate them from the get-go.
