Hybrid Sports Utility Vehicles
Acura RD-X
The RD-X is a concept model with a projected release
year of 2007. Though the chances of its release are indeed slim,
the RD-X showed that Acura has the will and ability to build an
impressive hybrid SUV.
BMW X5 Hybrid
BMW developed a concept hybrid based on the X5
model. This hybrid boasts a powerful V8 gasoline engine assisted
by an electric motor with an astonishing 479ft-lb of torque!
Chevrolet Tahoe
/ GMC Yukon
The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid
will both receive a combination of Chevrolet's hybrid technology,
(the Allison advanced hybrid bus technology and Displacement on
Demand cylinder deactivation technology.) The gasoline-electric
upgrades will increase economy by 30% in the large hybrid SUV's,
and similarly efficient trucks are expected to appear in 2008.
Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet's Equinox should be available as hybrid
model in 2005 for the 2006 model year. Little information on the
Equinox Hybrid is available at this point, other than it will likely
share a hybrid system similar or indentical to the Tahoe Hybrid,
which is expected to receive a 30% boost in fuel economy from Chevrolet's
Hybrid Technology.
Dodge Durango
In 2001 Dodge announced that hybrid versions of
the Durango SUV and Ram Pickup would be available by 2003 as 2004
models. Time went by and the hype died down, 2003 came and went,
but still nothing from Dodge...
Ford Escape
In recent months, the Ford Escape Hybrid has been
hitting the floors of dealerships across the country as the world's
first production hybrid SUV. It has been praised by reviewers and
environmentalists alike for its balance of practicality and environmentally
friendly emissions and fuel economy.
Lexus RX 400h
Toyota's luxury division announced early this year
that they would be making a hybrid version of their popular RX model,
called the Lexus RX 400h and dubbed the "world's first luxury
SUV." The Lexus hybrid will arrive in early 2005 and will offer
smoother, quieter operation, increased performance, and a host of
high technology accessories, while delivering class topping fuel
economy and emissions ratings.
Saturn VUE
The VUE is a mid-sized SUV that will benefit from
GM's hybrid system, giving it better gas mileage and sustaining
its current level of performance and practicality.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander hybrid has been developed
to interest not only the environmentally conscious, but the practical;
Toyota's green SUV not only thrusts up to 7 people forward with
270 horses, it has been engineered to meet the EPA's much coveted
SULEV rating. Arriving "early 2005" the Highlander Hybrid
will most likely be the world's first 7 person hybrid SUV.
|
