General Motors (GM) has announced it is set to produce a two-mode hybrid transmission.

The company will spend around £66 million on new equipment, tooling and improved facilities at its Powertrain Transmission facility in Baltimore, before production begins next year.

The transmission will be used in GM's new SUVs, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, and is part of joint project between GM, DaimlerChrysler, and BMW to produce hybrid transmissions based on GM’s hybrid-electric diesel technology that is used in some buses.

Two-mode hybrid technology uses a variable transmission with two 60kW electric motors.

The first motor operates at low speed and light loads, offering electric only power, engine power or any combination of the two.

At high speeds, the second motor kicks in and provides eight-cylinder engine power in addition to electric when extra power is needed.

In GM’s SUVs, the two-mode hybrid system will be combined with a 5.3-litre Vortec V8 engine to offer 25 per cent more fuel efficiency than a standard engine.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd