What Cars Would Benefit by being a Hybrid?

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
04/22/2014 at 10:40 • Filed to: None

What cars would improve if they were fitted with a battery pack underneath, and all the usual Hybrid features?

My take is the Buick Encore. This baby Buick (Which may later come as the Chevy Trax) is fitted with a 1.4 litre turbo engine that really doesn't move the thing with zest or vibe. It was given that motor so it could achieve the all important em-pe-geez, (25/33). But just how much would this lifted hatchback be if they added batteries that would up the power from 138 to a healthier 150 or 170.

I don't know if the weight of the battery would either hurt the handling, or improve it due to the center lower of gravity. But this wasn't designed for auto X in the first place ( TRACK DAY NO! ). Instead this is a small SUV that would be used in the city, just as the ad of the dinosaurs portrays it. And, its in the city where the instant torques would make you quicker, more agile. Also, since it would be running mostly on the battery power in the city, there would be more em-pe-geez; Lets say around 35 city 40 Highway.

Yes, you can have it in brown.

Price? It starts at $24k with nicely loaded at $31k. Buick Encore Hybrid base $27K loaded $33K, more than that would be too much for a hatchback in high heels. Leather high Heels.

So tell me, which car or truck or lawnmower would benefit from a hybrid powertrain?

DISCUSSION (19)

Tom McParland > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 10:44

Minivans...there is a lot of unused space under the floor were batteries could be placed. This would both extend the range and the passing power of a minivan, of course I think they should get diesel engines, but a diesel/electric combo would be awesome as well.

Sn210 > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 10:45

Kinja'd!!!

they don't have the money for hybrids, but think about how much they'd save in fuel costs

Vicente Esteve > Tom McParland
04/22/2014 at 10:45

I thought about minivans as well, but remembered just how heavy they can get with all the people/stuff in it plus the heavy batteries. Also, no stow-n-go.

JR1 > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 10:47

Why can't truck companies create diesel hybrids?

Tom McParland > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 10:48

But battery tech has gotten to the point where their output can overcome their weight.

Vicente Esteve > Tom McParland
04/22/2014 at 10:52

Good point. Also, the idea of the diesel in a minivan is almost a no-brainer, and Chrysler can do it with the ecotec 3.0L.

Vicente Esteve > JR1
04/22/2014 at 10:53

Complexity?

Tom McParland > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 10:53

Wrote this yesterday...

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/diesel-minivan…

ly2v8-Brian > JR1
04/22/2014 at 10:54

Make it like the volt and trucks would truly be like diesel locomotives on the street.

Vicente Esteve > Tom McParland
04/22/2014 at 10:56

haha yeah, I read it they are good ideas automakers just won't do!

MooseKnuckles > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 10:56

I bet, and I've been assuming this for 2 years now, with the second gen Voltec coming out in 2016, Buick will get a CUV variant.
Both first gen and second gen Voltec are going to be sold at the same time. 2nd gen having better range, charge times, weight, etc... and 1st gen just being the current sold in the Volt but at a discount price.

carcrasher88 > JR1
04/22/2014 at 10:58

If you're referring to large commercial trucks, Freightliner does, the Business Class M2 106 diesel-electric hybrid .

If you're talking about pickup trucks...I don't know why not.

Vicente Esteve > MooseKnuckles
04/22/2014 at 11:16

I think that would make sense from a sales point of view. The volt hasn't had the popularity GM wanted it to have, which is a pity since the car is truly excellent.

JR1 > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 11:17

Maybe? I might google it

JR1 > carcrasher88
04/22/2014 at 11:18

I was unaware of this thanks. And hybrid pickups would be good too.

MooseKnuckles > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 11:19

It would give them another niche segment with a lot of potential (like what they started with the Verano and Encore) and higher profit margin at Buick, much like with Cadillac and the ELR.

Vicente Esteve > MooseKnuckles
04/22/2014 at 11:22

It would. I don't know how well the Verano is selling, but I read somewhere that the Encore was doing pretty well, and a Hybrid badge would make much more desirable to the people.

MooseKnuckles > Vicente Esteve
04/22/2014 at 11:30

Verano is a huge success. In 2013 it was the top selling Buick model in Canada and the second best model in the US (Enclave sold a few thousand more units in 2013) and the exact same trend continues for 2014. Encore is looking to pass the Verano in sales in a big way, but both those little Buicks are carrying their own weight for the brand.

Vicente Esteve > MooseKnuckles
04/22/2014 at 11:32

Holy (cash) Cow

Kinja'd!!!