Beginning in 2004 General Motors and then Daimler-Chrysler (now two separate companies) announced intentions to partner in the development of a special two-mode hybrid drive system for larger SUVs and trucks. The system was originally derived from heavy-duty GM transit buses before GM, Daimler-Chrysler, BMW (beginning later in 2005) decided to co-develop the system for passenger vehicles.
Now after five years of collaboration several reports are speculating that both luxury makers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, are no longer pursuing two-mode hybrid technology. The reports are based heavily on the fact that both automakers have recently released mild hybrids (2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid and 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 sedans) on a shared hybrid-drive system between the two automakers, and do not contain Two-Mode Hybrid technology.
The remaining partner outside of the original creator of the technology, GM, is Chrysler. Chrysler’s recent five-year plan did not include any electric-drive vehicles. The report was compiled and driven largely by Chrysler’s new owner – Fiat.
According to Greencarreports, the final area of consideration for the end of this partnership lies within the physical research facility itself. The Two-Mode Research and Development facility had been located in Troy, Michigan, but ended in June of this year.
GM has since moved most of its staff back to the Warren engineering center.
GM has as recently as last month indicated its plans for a future involving the Two-Mode Hybrid system at a technical event at the Warren facility. This announcement, coupled with the other announcements and product plans by all of the co-developers, leaves speculators to believe that GM has ultimately retained the technology for itself alone.
The Two-Mode Hybrid system features the combination of an electric continuously variable transmission (eCVT) with two electric motors, four fixed gears, various clutches and planetary gearsets, heavy-duty electronics, and originally, a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.
The recent event at the Warren lab hinted towards future use of lithium-ion battery technology in the Two-Mode Hybrid system, but it is unclear at this time when the lithium-ion batteries will replace the heavier nickel-metal-hydride batteries currently used in GM’s Two-Mode Hybrid system.
The lighter lithium-ion battery technology is the same technology featured in the yet-to-be-released Chevy Volt.
11/24, 8:40 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
For a hybrid, it’s a weak setup with too many components. Make it simple!
11/24, 9:03 AM
posted by:
03T4R
Should of used Lithium Ion batteries from the beginning, they last much longer than Nickel based batteries.
11/24, 9:29 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
Lithium batteries are still much more expensive than nickel based ones, plus there are control issues with extreme charging/discharging cycles which may create a fire hazzard. But yeah, this two-mode setup has way too many moving parts, I can only imagine the repair headaches if any of the numerous subsystems failed.
11/24, 10:20 AM
posted by:
carstuff
The system works excellent in improving MPG, especially in heavier vehicles BUT it is expensive. When gas gets to $5 and the CAFE rules start to kick in it will be a bit more palatable.
11/24, 11:21 AM
posted by:
ajm11
It is a good system, but I would never look at a Hybrid pickup until they get it to the point where it does not kill the towing capacity.
11/24, 11:43 AM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Must’ve been a system that proved to be a complete failure so while the other companies realized it was impractical GM is the only dumb @$$ left using it.
11/24, 1:06 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I would be scared to death to own one of these after the warranty had expired.
11/24, 1:47 PM
posted by:
ajm11
It is the same type of Hybrid system that is used on Buses and other commercial vehicles. It is a proven system, granted it is also very heavy system which really eats into the payload/towing capacity of the hybrid SUV’s and Pick up trucks.
11/24, 2:34 PM
posted by:
bradleygt
ajm11…the 2010 Hybrid Silverado can still tow around 6k lbs (6.1k 2wd; 5.9k 4wd), which is more then the 4.8 V8 can tow and more then the 5.3 V8 with 3.08 gearing can tow. Also, the Tahoe is also over 6k (6.2 2wd 6.0 4wd) so you don’t really loose much, and actually the Hybrid Tahoe has greater then the XFE Tahoe by about 500 lbs (depending on gearing of course)
Johnny, the warranty is actually longer on the Hybrid components for that reason, 8 year or 100k, along with the regular 5yr100k powertrain and 3yr/36k bumpr to bumpr. But you are right, if you can’t get an extended warranty then it would be an expensive vehicle to repair after that time frame.
carstuff, you hit it on the head…right now hybrids like this make little sense as you would have to own and drive it a long time to recoup the aditional expense (about 5k more then a similar equiped Tahoe), but when gas goes back to $4 + per gallon, then it will be a much more economical choice overall.
11/24, 3:54 PM
posted by:
ajm11
bradleygt – I am aware that the trucks can still tow quite a bit. But when you look at a Vortec Max GMC Sierra with the 6.0L in it and the fact that it can tow over 10,000lbs if it is equipped with the 4.10 gears that is a huge drop in towing capacity. If they made a Hybrid electric/Diesel 3/4 ton I would definitely look into that. Then again I also have 30 foot 5th wheel that I tow, which is the main reason why I would not look at hybrid right now. They can not pull my trailer.
11/24, 4:03 PM
posted by:
bradleygt
ajm11…got it…yea, the hybrids are no where near being able to pull what a 6.0 or a Duramax/Allison can. Thought you were refering to a comparable 1500 style truck/suv.
I wish we had a 1/2 ton diesel along with the hybrid diesel you mentioned for a 3/4 or 1 ton. I am sure in the next few years we will see something along those lines. Gas will only go up and CAFE standards will only get more stringent…luckily for now 2500/3500 are excluded ( i believe they are anyway)
11/24, 4:28 PM
posted by:
dump
The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid & next 7-series ActiveHybrid will use a version of the 2-mode hybrid transmission system. To date, no has complained about BMW using the 2-mode in those applications.
The 2-mode hybrid system works best with heavier vehicles such as truck, SUVs, and large cars. It would be disappointing to see so much R&D go to waste b/c the European makers are scared to use it.
But after reading reviews for the X6 ActiveHybrid, none of the journalists seem to have a problem with the uber-like setup.
11/24, 4:32 PM
posted by:
ajm11
Bradleygt – Yes, Duramax 2 mode hybrid would be really nice. You get the benefit of extra towing capacity as well as diesels are better on fuel than gas engines. Then the two mode part would make it even better. If GM came out with that, I would not be surprised to see one of them going about 25 mpg easily, up here in Canada with the Imperial gallon over 30.