Chevy Cruze Plug-In Hybrid Confirmed
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Australia’s GoAuto received word from a high-ranking GM engineer that there are plans to launch a Chevrolet Cruze plug-in hybrid, which will debut the company’s front-wheel-drive application of its two-mode hybrid system, which was originally slated for a newer version of the Saturn Vue, and stillborn Cadillac SRX plug-in hybrid.
The crossovers were lost in product development because fuel economy and range expectations were not met, but in a smaller vehicle like the compact Cruze, engineers may have better luck in making it work. But what about the Volt, you ask? Well, unlike the Volt, which is an electric vehicle with a gasoline-powered range-extending generator that kicks in after 35 miles or so, the plug-in Cruze hybrid would constantly utilize both gasoline and electric power, much like the Toyota Prius. It also sounds less complex, and could therefore launch at a much more appealing sticker price than the Volt.
As for a launch date, it could be as late as 2014 before we see the fruits of its engineers’ labors. They’re probably really busy with validating the Cruze diesel right now, anyways. As for the trade-off in gas mileage and pricing between the two, it’s honestly far too early to tell.
Source: GoAuto
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Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is a mid-size plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to be produced by Toyota Motor Corporation and scheduled to be released to the market in the second quarter of 2012.
http://wdcbusiness.blogspot.com/2011/11/toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid.html
Manoli this is partly true, the phev will be at the midlife update of the vehicle 2013-14 and will be a direct competitor to the toyota mileage will be fantastic and styling will be updated so the product line will carry eco diesel and hybrid phev and some consider the volt being it is the same platform. testing is going well and one thing you forgot is what other programs get this system, it will be spread over a few platforms.
The Cruze already gets 40 mpg highway, if they’re messing around with this two mode hybrid system for the Cruze it better meet or exceed the Prius fuel economy otherwise it’s not very attractive.
What happened to the EV Cruze? I’m much more interested in how that shapes up against the Ford Focus EV than a two mode hybrid Cruze.
Now a two mode hybrid Equinox/Terrain/SRX would be welcome, but we saw how that ended up. They never made any Vue two mode hybrids right? Weren’t they really close?