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New 2009 Chevrolet silverado Hybrid Truck
March 17, 2009 |
The guys at TruckTrend.com have written an excellent article on the new Chevy Silverado Hybrid (from a truck fans point of view), but how does this attempt to change the gas guzzling image of the pickup truck really work out - in green terms? Well, the new Chevy is available in a short-box, crew-cab format so for starters it is aimed squarely at the ‘family’ truck market. Plenty room for the kids but with a full-size presence and still with the ability to show off to the neighbours by helping them move home.
The model continues to uses the current 6.0l V8 and generates a little over 330hp and 360lb of torque, in addition to the hybrid drive technology. Unfortunately you’ll only really notice any benefit from the Chevy’s dual power source at very low speeds (10mph or less generally) or at moderate cruising speed on a flat (or downhill only) highway. In addition, according to TruckTrend that nasty cut-in / cut-out trait of some hybrid vehicles is here in full effect too.
Now, with these drawbacks in mind, the question has to be asked - are the fuel numbers and benefits really good enough to make the average truck buyer think twice with their next purchase? Well, with Ford claiming 23mpg for the new F150, it seems that unfortunately, for now at least, the Silverado Hybrid is going to be sidelined to green concious brand loyalists or those with a real urge to get a discrete hybrid badge on their driveway.
Ford have had an unfair advantage here in bringing out a brand new model this year - developed in the midst of gas-price panic. How Chevy take the hybrid idea forward with the next redesign should be much more interesting - with the benefit of plenty time to develop a truck that represents true value for money in the future, as gas prices begin to rise again.
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By N2H