Hybrid truckin'

GM engineers have downsized the hybrid power train on the company's buses for use in the Silverado pickup truck. The idea being a bus drive train would be more robust for towing, rather than up-sizing from a car (thus claiming Toyota Prius architecture wouldn't be well suited for hauling). GM is backing this claim with an eight-year, 100,000 mile warranty on select hybrid components.

My overall impression of the truck, which has a lot of technology goodies, was quite favorable (read it here)—especially since I'm not a truck guy, and even my wife liked it!

My mileage in suburban driving was 20 mpg. EPA numbers are 21 mpg (city)/22 (hwy). A "mileage optimization meter" helps the driver to wring the most out of a tank of gas, as does cruising on electric-only power (below 30 mph) and shutting down four of the V8's cylinders under low torque demand.