2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

General Motors introduced its new 2008 hybrid Tahoe this year at the Detroit Auto Show last January. GM decided to speed up the production of this hybrid and the 2008 will be on sale in Fall 2007. The full-size sport utility vehicle is among the first of its size to go hybrid. The slowing of large SUV sales due to the increase in gas prices has had an effect on manufactures; their hope is the new hybrid will close some gaps.

So far, the Tahoe hybrid has received excellent reviews, "Excellent interior, lots of amenities, and much better handling-surprisingly good (for a truck)." GMs new vehicle will use the Two-Mode Hybrid system used by many urban buses. This same system will be used with partners BMW and Daimler-Chrysler. GM claims that the hybrid gets 25% better fuel economy than the non-hybrid Tahoe which gets 20 mpg on the highway. Stay tuned, the hybrid will also be coming out in the Yukon and Escalade.

• Price Range (MSRP): TBA
• Fuel Economy: TBA (but supposedly 25% better than non-hybrid Tahoe)
• Body Type: 5-door body on frame SUV
• Layout: front engine, AWD / 4WD
• Gas Engine: 5.3-liter (327 cu in) OHV V8
• Hybrid system net power: 300 hp
• Transmission: continuously variable
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
• Seating Capacity: 7 - 9
• Cargo Cap (max): 3,084 L (108.9 cu ft)
• Ground Clearance: 229 mm (9.0 in)
• Towing Capacity (est): 2,727 kg (6,000 lbs)
• Warranty (mo/km): TBA (This is a big question for me with being burned on repair bills for our American-made Jeep Cherokee)
• Available third row
• Two drive modes determined by a internal controller: slow, city driving and highway driving
• In city driving mode the car can operate in three ways: electric power only, engine power only, or a combination of both. In electric power the car can take full benefit of the hybrid system reducing fuel consumption in heavy stop and go traffic.
• In highway mode the Tahoe can use it's full eight-cylinder engine if needed as well as electric when not needed.
• 300 volt battery
• Safety: no specs yet on safety features other than brakes
• Rear-DVD entertainment system and touch-screen DVD navigation system available
• Direct Competitors (speculated): Acura MDX Hybrid, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, Dodge Durango Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, Ford Explorer Hybrid / Expedition Hybrid, Honda Pilot Hybrid, Hummer H2 Hybrid, Lexus LX Hybrid, Lincoln Navigator Hybrid, Jeep Commander Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz ML Hybrid / GL Hybrid, Toyota Sequoia Hybrid

• I haven't read anywhere that it is a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle like the Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h