Quote:
Originally Posted by bill_airjunky
As does the "SPORT 4x4", "Z-71" or "Hemi" down the side of everything else.
The GM hybrid is an interesting design. I guess the electric engine is integrated into the transmission. So there is both a gas & electric engine. And the truck senses when to transfer power to each engine. And there are parameters when BOTH engines are being used.... like towing up a hill. I read where the tow rating for the hybrid is actually higher than the conventional truck for this reason.
Not sure if it stops any better though.
|
Towing is better because an electric motor has peak torque at zero rpm and all the way up the rpm range.
Hybrids also stop better due to regenerative braking. This turns the electric motor into at generator and slows the vehicle down along with the brakes. Its not uncommon for hybrid vehicles to have their original brake pads past 100k miles.
There is a lot of "monkey business" going on with the electric motors and transmission with the help of one majorly sophisticated computer control.
Just make sure you sell it before your warranty expires. The cost of batteries or the electric motors alone, will put you into cardiac arrest. These are not vehicles you tinker with, unless your properly trained. They can kill you.(300 volts DC)