Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Named 2008 Green Car of the Year in US

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid named Green Car of the Year

LOS ANGELES -- A full-size sport utility vehicle is the winner of this year's Green Car of the Year award. No, that's not a typo. The Green Car Journal on Thursday named the hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe as its 2008 winner at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal, said the Tahoe "stood out with an approach that was truly revolutionary" and defies the conventional wisdom that big SUVs must be dirty. The Tahoe has a gas-electric system that improves fuel economy by 25 percent _ or 40 percent in city driving _ without compromising power or towing capability. Chevrolet says the system gives the hybrid Tahoe the same city fuel economy numbers as the base model of the Toyota Camry sedan. The hybrid system, which was developed by General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC, BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz, is also making its debut next year on the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs and the Chevrolet Silverado pickup. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said Wednesday that GM aims to have the best fuel economy in every segment, whether through hybrids, alternative-fuel vehicles, fuel-efficient engines or, eventually, electric and hydrogen vehicles. "There is no silver bullet. There is no single solution," he said. "Our goal remains the same: The best possible fuel economy for whatever vehicle our customers choose." Lutz wouldn't say how much more the hybrid Tahoe will cost compared to the non-hybrid version, but said it will be less expensive than the highest-priced Tahoe. The most expensive 2008 Tahoe now starts at $38,950. The hybrid Tahoe goes on sale in January. GM makes three of the five finalists for the award, including the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura and Tahoe hybrids. The Mazda Tribute hybrid and Nissan Altima hybrid also were nominated. "That's something nobody would have expected a couple of years ago," Lutz said. Cogan said the nominees reflect a trend toward adding hybrid powertrains to high-volume models. The jurors for the award were Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; Christopher Flavin, president of Worldwatch Institute; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; and Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute; "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno; and car racing legend Carroll Shelby. ___ LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Volkswagen AG has a new diesel engine for its Jetta sedan and wagons that is clean enough to meet emissions standards in all 50 states. "Diesel is back. Diesel is clean," Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby said Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine will be available this summer, Volkswagen said. The company said it will improve fuel economy by 30 percent compared to non-diesel versions. Pricing has not been announced. Volkswagen currently sells more diesels in the U.S. market than any other automaker, but previous technology didn't meet strict clean-air standards in California and some other states. Only about 4 percent of U.S. sales are diesels, but analysts predict that will grow as technology improves and more automakers introduce diesels that meet clean-air regulations. Volkswagen said its new engine reduces nitrous oxide emissions by up to 90 percent. ___ LOS ANGELES (AP) _ BMW AG is aiming to capture more entry-level buyers with its new 1 Series coupe, which got its North American introduction this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show and goes on sale in the spring. The 1 Series, which starts below $30,000, is available in two versions, the 128i and 135i. The first has a 3.0-liter V6 with 230 horsepower, while the second has twin turbochargers and direct-injection for 300 horsepower. BMW said it drew inspiration for the vehicle from its sporty BMW 2002, which came out 40 years ago. Tom Purves, CEO of BMW's U.S. arm, said Wednesday that 2007 will be BMW's 16th year of continuous growth in the United States.

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