Hybrid truckin'

GM engineers have downsized the hybrid power train on the company's buses for use in the Silverado pickup truck. The idea being a bus drive train would be more robust for towing, rather than up-sizing from a car (thus claiming Toyota Prius architecture wouldn't be well suited for hauling). GM is backing this claim with an eight-year, 100,000 mile warranty on select hybrid components.

My overall impression of the truck, which has a lot of technology goodies, was quite favorable (read it here)—especially since I'm not a truck guy, and even my wife liked it!

My mileage in suburban driving was 20 mpg. EPA numbers are 21 mpg (city)/22 (hwy). A "mileage optimization meter" helps the driver to wring the most out of a tank of gas, as does cruising on electric-only power (below 30 mph) and shutting down four of the V8's cylinders under low torque demand.

WEBINAR
1. Detecting Five Distinct Motions with MEMS Inertial Sensors

TECH PAPER
2. Upgrading to an Intel Multicore Ecosystem Keeps a Car Simulator Running in the Fast Lane

TECH PAPER
3. New Tools Answer Old Issues in Wiring Harness Design

COURSE
4. Fundamentals of MOSFETs for Switching