Ford, GM: Two Automakers, Two Roads -- Seeking Alpha I have not read the NY Times piece but this synopsis pretty well matches what we've know since GM first tried to pawn the 'mild hybrid' nonsense. If the 'mild hybrids' died in May it corresponds with Bob Lutz's retirement . . . if only they could have retired him earlier. The next shoe to drop, the "two-mode" transmissions. Bob Wilson
Yup, having 4 clutches does not make sense. See the video below. Acceleration stalls at around 42 MPH while shifting gears. It is worse than an automatic tranny.
Yeah but it's an Escalade - it won't be going 60mph most of the time. It'll be going like 5mph while it's (dumb soccer mom/gangsta rapper/pro athlete) goes "look at me and my shiny 26" rims!" Bu yeah - 4 clutches....that's an efficiency fail right there.
I do know someone with an escade hybrid. It does look bad compaed to what it could be, but hey you can't get cool air blowing through your seat on a prius. If your 6'4" 270lbs and you could do worse. What does the comparable Lexus LX do. Escalade hybrid epa 21/22 Lexus LX (only choice 4wd) epa 13/17 The lexus does kick its butt at 6.5 sprint to 60 The scalade is 8.4 That's much faster than a prius but ... 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - Short Take Road Test - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver You won't see a rapper dissing the lex's pickup.
That was interesting, thanks usbseawolf. My informal timing watching the video put the 0-60 at about 11 seconds. I sure hope that car does not try to pass anybody.
Poor poor GM. Maybe it'll do better with 15 clutches in stead of just 4 . . . plus, GM will have more parts to sell. .
I'll repeat, the scalade accellerates much faster than the prius. I would video my prius taking 15 seconds to 60, but don't have a tach on the prius. It also can't tow, and weighs half as much. Only MC chris has the prius in a song, and its only in the title. Kanye sings about riding shot gun in an escalade. Goards have a song too. With its huge heavy body and all that bling how can you not be noticed. Everyone knows that with that hybrid you've spent more than 70 large. The problem with the escalade isn't the hybrid. Its the escalade.
Reviews online said high 8 seconds, meaning close to 9 seconds. I don't know if that long pause around 42mph happens all the time. 2 mode has to in order to shift gears with clutches. Maybe in ideal conditions (battery is full?) it may do high 8 secs.
I think you missed the joke. The transmission is the least of the escalede's problems. 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid – No Wonder U.S. Auto Companies Need a Bailout : Keysplash Creative
