Cadillac Will Build Two-Mode Hybrid SRX

Cadillac officials acknowledged today that the SRX crossover, which will arrive in U.S. dealerships in early August, will eventually be fitted with the two-mode electric hybrid system.

It would be the same basic arrangement of parts as used in the full-size pickup trucks and SUVs for the last couple of years. General Motors' plan initially called for the Saturn Vue to be the first mid size crossover withing the corporation to receive a version of that system. Ooooh...yeah, that situation is very much in flux, as they say.

Saturn said that it expected the Vue two-mode to be able to do 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds and return 27 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with its combination direct-injection V6 and twin 55-kilowatt electric motors. It's fair to assume the Cadillac would perform similarly. For comparison, Cadillac estimates that a conventional front-wheel-drive SRX powered by the 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 should return 18/25 mpg, city/highway.

No word on timing for the two-mode SRX but we wouldn't expect it before the 2011 model year. A few main competitors either already offer a hybrid crossover in roughly the same size and price class (Lexus) or plan to within the next couple of years (Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen).
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91z4me - 4/8/2009 10:33:54 AM

+1 Boost

Whoever wrote this article needs to be smacked. The Two mode system used in the fullsize trucks and SUVs is longitudinal and utilizes V8s only. It shares only internal transmission parts with the system that would be in the SRX (which has a transverse powertrain layout. The Vue two mode would use the same transmission/axle but theoretically will use the 3.6 DOHC V6 when it goes on sale this spring.

inspirion7 - 4/8/2009 11:49:27 AM

+1 Boost

The information is from existing VUE Two-Mode models that had been tested and given out for reporters to evaluate.

The Vue 2 Mode Hybrid is pretty self-explanatory: it's the first non-GMT900 to get the 2 Mode hybrid setup. The 2 Mode Vue's gas engine is a direct-injected version of the widely-used 3.6L "high feature" powerplant. In this case, it makes 262 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque and only front-wheel-drive is available.

It works in concert with the hybrid sysyem, which incorporates a pair of 55 kW electric motors, a 300V battery, regenerative braking and the 2 Mode transmission, which sports two electronically variable modes and four fixed mechanical gear ratios to optimize efficiency at both lower, around-town speeds and highway velocity. Unlike the light hybrid system in the other Vue Hybrid, the 2 Mode can run in EV-only mode at low speeds, in addition to doing all the other stuff you expect, such as killing the engine when stopped. The result is a projected fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. This, with a 3,500-pound tow capacity.

Buyers who specify the optional navigation system get a Prius-like screen showing the power flow among engine, battery, electric motors, and regenerative brakes. Without that, the efficiency gauge gives drivers the basic information needed to economize.

The two toughest parts of vehicle development, were blending the regenerative braking with the standard friction braking, and ensuring the engine would switch smoothly on and off in any conceivable circumstance. In both of these goals, Saturn succeeded.

The brakes are excellent, with absolutely standard feel and no rough spots or strange behaviors. The control system seamlessly added friction braking to regen whenever necessary, with no apparent transition except for the telltale dash light that indicated battery recharging. There’s an emergency mode, too; when a driver slams on the brakes, the car dispenses with regen braking altogether and maximizes the standard brakes to stop as quickly as possible. being that the VUE is a sister vehicle to the SRX but smaller, the system should slide in without issue.

inspirion7 - 4/8/2009 11:52:28 AM

+1 Boost

By the way, the Two-Mode system on offer in the VUE, Chrysler now offers it in the Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid full-size SUVs, and it will soon launch in the BMW X6 Hybrid and a future Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid SUV as well.

thstone - 4/8/2009 4:22:50 PM

0 Boost

Folks, GM has has absolutely no unallocated engineering development funding laying around. With the entire company currently at risk do you think that they'll throw any money at a silly project like this?

This is nothing more than GM preparing their defense when the SRX comes out this fall with its conventional V-6 and they are roundly criticized in the media for not having a hybrid version.

dumpsty - 4/9/2009 9:15:42 AM

+2 Boost

The most important aspect of the dual-mode hybrid tranmission system is that it is design to be installed in existing GM vehicles. I like the fact that this hybrid system will be used in family cars and trucks instead of having the need to market an entirely new vehicle for the system.

And since the system has proven to boost fuel efficiency in the existing vehicles then the next gen models will be better designed to make better use of the hybrid tech.

GM/Chrys/Daimler/BMW didn't waste any money on this project. They've taken their time with it to get it right for their specific products. That makes perfect business sense. And the consumer will eventually benefit. Once more vehicles are sold using this system, their inherent costs will decrease leaving plenty of room for expected profits.

inspirion7 - 4/9/2009 10:31:38 AM

+2 Boost

How is that so? The High Feature V6 is one of the most eco-friendly V6 on the market. It's the same one used in the Camaro and that car gets better gas mileage than some four cylinder Scions. Cadillac has the Hybid Escalade, and this technology going into the SRX has been ready for a good while (read the article thstone, the VUE was to have the Two Mode)
Like Toyota, GM is going to market to the daylights out of the hybrid tech.

Making hybrids is a business case, for companies, not a moral issue.