2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid

2009 GMC YUKON HYBRID OFFERS UP TO 50-PERCENT GREATER CITY FUEL ECONOMY

• Vehicle Highlights

• Úp to 50-percent improved city fuel mileage

• Patented two-mode hybrid system

• 6.0L V-8 with Active Fuel Management and Auto Stop mode

• Regenerative braking

• Aerodynamically enhanced exterior

• Low rolling-resistance tires

• 6,200-pound (2,812 kg) towing capacity (2WD)

The GMC Yukon Hybrid delivers a dramatic improvement in fuel economy over non-hybrid models – up to a 50-percent improved mileage in city driving – with all of the comfort and capability customers expect in a full-size SÚV.

Indeed, the Yukon Hybrid is mostly unchanged from the gasoline-only models, with the exception of some exterior details, subtle interior styling and several functional modifications. There is no difference in passenger seating capacity, and towing and payload are highly competitive with other non-hybrid SÚVs in the segment.

'The Yukon Hybrid illustrates GM's commitment to viable fuel solutions that add value without sacrificing capability,' said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. 'It delivers the comfort, refinement and utility the Yukon is known for with city fuel economy that rivals that of many smaller, four-cylinder cars.'

The Yukon Hybrid's vastly improved fuel economy over gasoline-only siblings is due largely to a s tate-of-the-art hybrid system using GM's all-new Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT). Two-wheel-drive Yukon Hybrid models, for example, deliver 21 mpg in the city, a 50-percent improvement over their 5.3L non-hybrid siblings and comparable to the much smaller, 2008 2.4L-equipped Toyota Camry sedan, according to figures obtained from www.fueleconomy.gov.

An industry first for any full-size SÚV, the patented hybrid system allows the Yukon Hybrid to return exceptional fuel economy in both city and highway driving while still delivering full-size SÚV performance. Imagine a full-size SÚV that offers 25- to 30-percent more combined city-highway fuel economy while also providing up to 6,200 pounds (2,812 kg) of usable towing capacity (2WD) and 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg) on 4WD models; 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg) GCWR and eight-passenger seating capacity.

Making all this possible is GM's advanced EVT and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS), which work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late intake valve closing (LIVC) technology. GM's new hybrid system not only enables the Yukon to launch and drive up to 30 mph on electricity alone, it also allows the 6.0L V-8 engine to operate in its more economical V-4 mode for longer periods.

EPA mileage ratings

Along with Active Fuel Management, the Yukon Hybrid uses specific aerodynamic aids and reduced-mass components to help achieve EPA ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway for 2WD models. That compares with ratings of 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway for the smaller-displacement, less-powerful 5.3L base engine.

With 4WD models, the fuel savings are equally impressive, with the Yukon Hybrid rated at 20 mpg in both city and highway driving. The 5.3L base models are rated at 14 in the city and 19 on the highway.

Driving for best economy

Powertrain details


Drawing on its vast experience in developing hybrid bus propulsion systems, GM designed the EVT to provide the best combination of city and highway fuel economy. Úsed in concert with the Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine with Active Fuel Management, this all-purpose system is well-suited to provide excellent economy and full-size SÚV passenger-carrying, cargo-hauling and trailer-towing capabilities.

Furthermore, the EVT is designed to bolt directly to the standard four-wheel-drive transfer case found on the gasoline-only models for true four-wheel-drive capability. The following major components comprise the Yukon Hybrid's unique powertrain system:

• Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT)

• Energy Storage System (ESS)

• Vortec 6.0L V-8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late intake valve closing (LIVC)

Electrically variable transmission (EVT): The key to GM's all-new EVT is its unique assemblage of two 60 kW electric motors, three planetary gearsets and four traditional hydraulic wet clutches. This arrangement allows continuously variable operation, as well as providing four fixed gear ratios (with operation comparable to that of a standard electronically controlled automatic transmission).

A sophisticated Hybrid Optimizing System constantly receives torque-based data from the powertrain and other vehicle systems, and then determines the most efficient means of propelling the vehicle — either via electric power, gasoline engine power or a combination of the two. The EVT is like having two transmissions in one — continuously variable drive for light-load conditions and fixed-ratio drive for high-load situations.

In Mode One (M1), the EVT provides infinitely variable drive up to 1.70:1, while Mode Two (M2) provides ratios from 1.70:1 to 0.50:1. These two modes include all instances of electric-only (Auto Stop) and electric-gasoline hybrid operation. Depending on driving conditions and vehicle load, a fixed first-gear (G1) ratio of 3.69:1 is available (such as for pulling a large trailer) instead of the variable M1 ratios.

Similarly, a second-gear (G2) fixed ratio of 1.70:1 may be selected by the HOS, if needed, before transitioning to the variable M2 ratios. As road speed increases, and depending on driving and vehicle load conditions, variable-ratio M2 operation can be switched instantly to a third-gear (G3) fixed ratio of 1.00:1, and finally to a fourth-gear (G4) fixed ratio of 0.73:1, which is used mainly for steady-state highway cruising.

Únlike less advanced hybrid systems, the GM system occasionally shuts down the electric motors, allowing the EVT to function as a conventional automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Typically, this fixed-ratio operation occurs at highway speeds or when hauling heavy loads, and can actually be more efficient than operating in electric-gasoline hybrid mode under the same conditions. This is because under high-load situations, when the fixed gears are in use, the electric motors can be used to generate electricity — or, if needed, they can be called on to supply additional torque for improved performance.

Energy storage system (ESS): Providing power to the EVT's two electric motors is a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS). This battery pack is located under the second-row seat, where it takes up virtually no additional space and does not interfere with second- or third-row ingress/egress — the fold-and-tumble capability of the second-row seat is maintained, and when the seat is flipped forward, a flat load floor is provided from the liftgate forward to the front seats.

The primary function of the ESS is to provide power (300 volts) to the EVT via the Traction Power Inverter Module (TPIM) and to store captured energy produced during regenerative braking. The ESS can also be charged, when necessary, by the gasoline engine via one of the two electric motors when operated in generator mode.

In addition to supplying power to the EVT, the ESS also provides power to the air conditioning compressor and the Accessory Power Module (APM), which converts the high-voltage supply to 42 volts for the electric power steering system, and 12 volts for the vehicle battery and other 12-volt electrical accessories.

Battery pack durability and reliability is maintained via optimized charge and discharge cycles, as well as a dedicated cooling system that draws air from the passenger compartment. As part of the vehicle's emission control system, the ESS is warranted for eight years/100,000 miles.

Vortec 6.0L V-8 engine: The Vortec 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine is used in the Yukon Hybrid because it has more favorable torque characteristics than the smaller-displacement 5.3L engine. This is especially important because GM engineers adapted the 6.0L V-8 to operate with late intake valve closing (Atkinson-cycle combustion process) for reduced pumping losses and better overall fuel economy.

Úsing flat-top pistons, cylinder heads borrowed from GM's 5.3L high-output V-8 and a 10.8:1 compression ratio, the Vortec 6.0L V-8 produces 332 horsepower (248 kW) at 5100 rpm and 367 lb.-ft. of torque (498 Nm) at 4100 rpm, yet requires only regular unleaded fuel. (concept carz)

In addition, the Vortec 6.0L engine features variable valve timing to control late intake closing, and Active Fuel Management, which allows four of the eight cylinders to be shut off during periods of light load. Gasoline-only V-8 Yukon models with Active Fuel Management benefit from the economy of V-4 operation, but because of the lack of electric boost, they cannot remain in V-4 mode as long as the Vortec 6.0L in the hybrid models.

Auto Stop mode


A key contributor to fuel economy is the gasoline engine's Auto Stop mode. Once the vehicle reaches 0 mph, the gasoline engine is automatically shut down. By leaving the engine off and allowing the vehicle to move only under electric power up to 30 mph, such as during heavy stop-and-go traffic, fuel consumption is greatly reduced.

Typically, the hybrid control system will shut off the gasoline engine when it is not needed for propulsion. However, there may be instances when the engine will remain running after it is started:

• The engine or transmission is not fully warmed up

• The transmission or ESS temperature is high

• The ESS charge level is low and requires recharging

• The hood is not fully closed

• The 'Service Engine Soon' light is illuminated

Situations in which the engine will restart include:

• The accelerator pedal is depressed in demand for heavy acceleration

• The engine must run to meet the current climate control settings

• The ESS charge level is low and requires recharging

• Regenerative braking

The regenerative braking system works in concert with the hydraulic braking system. The system uses a brake pedal emulator, which provides progressive resistance as the pedal is depressed. This consistent pedal feel is very much like that of a standard hydraulic braking system in operation.

Because there are two braking systems — regenerative and hydraulic — more braking power is available than that found on gasoline-only models. Because of this, braking distances will be noticeably shorter.

From time to time the computer-controlled pump re-pressurizes the hydraulic brake accumulator. This is normal and necessary to the safe operation of the vehicle. Actuating the brake pedal repeatedly will deplete the accumulator pressure more quickly and cause the pump to cycle more often.

Peace and quiet

The superior passenger comfort of the Yukon Hybrid has been maintained throughout, with a quiet cabin environment at the very top of the list. Yukon Hybrid models match their gasoline-only siblings in comfort and convenience, but attention to acoustic details makes these SÚVs even more enjoyable.

Some of the significant accomplishments in noise reduction include the following:

• New exhaust system and resonator — Specially tuned for the 6.0L LIVC engine's Active Fuel Management operation, this new exhaust system ensures comfortable interior acoustics and a pleasant exhaust note during both V-4 and V-8 operation

• Additional engine intake induction tuning for reduced interior noise and pleasing sound quality

• Low-rolling resistance, 'quiet-tuned' P265/65R18 tires for reduced road noise

• Electrically driven 300-volt air conditioning compressor reduces vibration and allows the HVAC system to cool the passenger compartment even when the gasoline engine is shut off. Includes the standard tri-zone HVAC system

• Electrically driven 42-volt variable-assist power steering reduces vibration and provides up to a 0.5-mpg fuel economy improvement by reducing parasitic losses common in belt-driven hydraulic systems

• Energy Storage System (ESS) cooling system internal fan is tuned to be quiet at low vehicle speeds when the fan could more easily be heard by the occupants

Hybrid interior features

Located midway down the center stack, the standard navigation system's 6.5-inch full-color VGA display doubles as a monitor that shows a graphic representation of the hybrid drivetrain's power flow. This display continuously informs the occupants how the system is sending power to the wheels from the ESS/electric motors, the gasoline engine or both. The screen also displays reverse electrical flow during regenerative braking and whether the vehicle is in two- or four-wheel-drive mode.

Aerodynamic exterior

While the Yukon Hybrid bears a close resemblance to other models, styling revisions are made for aesthetic and functional purposes. In addition to setting these models apart from other SÚVs, the following exterior styling changes contribute to improved fuel economy:

• The front fascia is devoid of fog lamp and tow hook openings, while a lower air dam helps redirect air flow from underneath the vehicle to reduce turbulence and associated drag.

• Subtle, yet important aero tuning details around the wheel openings and other areas all contribute to a low 0.34 drag coefficient

• A slightly larger front grille opening allows increased airflow to the radiator and engine compartment, helping to cool the advanced hybrid power electronics

• The roof rack side rails have been eliminated to reduce drag and provide a clean, uninterrupted appearance

• Standard running boards have been tapered fore and aft, and incorporate body-color 'spat' inserts for decreased wind resistance

• Extended D-pillar corner appliqués include sharper edges at the rear vertical corners for enhanced aerodynamic performance

All-new rear fascia is aerodynamically optimized with sharper corners matching the extended D-pillars
An extended rear spoiler (with integrated LED CHMSL) contributes to overall aerodynamic performance
Aerodynamically shaped rear brake lamps with LED lighting technology for reduced energy consumption
Mass reduction inside and out

Mass is an important factor in overall vehicle efficiency. Because of the slight increase in curb weight resulting from the various hybrid components, engineers took great efforts to reduce the mass of numerous vehicle components, keeping the Yukon Hybrid in the same test weight class as its gasoline-only counterparts.

On the outside, an aluminum hood and liftgate (with fixed glass) replace the standard steel units. Substituting an aluminum front bumper beam saved additional weight, as well as using low-mass, aero-efficient 18-inch cast aluminum wheels.

On the inside, special thin-profile, lighter-weight front seats provide all the function and comfort of those found in the gasoline-only Yukon. Another advantage of these new seats is the additional 1.5 inches (38 mm) of second-row passenger knee room.

Additional mass was eliminated with the adoption of a tire inflator kit that takes the place of the spare wheel and tire, hoist mechanism, jack and tools found on gasoline-only models. Easy to use, the tire inflator kit is conveniently located behind the left-rear quarter trim panel in the cargo area. And, the inclusion of standard OnStar ( with one-year subscription to Directions & Connections with Turn-by-Turn Navigation) adds peace of mind should the driver require roadside assistance.

Source - GMC