GM is coming out in 2004 with a Silverado/Sierra that has a hybrid 5.3 LS-1. The starter motor is also a generator. I guess that makes it a genermotor or something. The truck shuts itself off at red lites to save gas and then retarts itself INSTANTLY when you push the gas pedal and drives off normally. It also has 20 AMP A/C outlets. It has a pair inside the cab and a couple in the bed as well. The applications for this truck are endless. Appartently it is going to have a HUMONGOUS 250 lb battery to supply the current needed to do all the red lite restarts and power all the handtools. You guys that need to cool down the clutch discs on your dragsters and funny cars in the pits can plug your portable fan into this trucks A/C outlet instead of hauling around your heavy, noisy A/C generator.

 

I forgot to mention that this truck will also have an ELECTRIC water pump AND power steering pump. After you shut off the engine you can leave the water pump running in cold weather to circulate the water thru the heater core in the passenger compartment. Turn on the blower motor and stay warm for a while even thought the engine is turned OFF. The water pump will have a switch on the dashboard so you can keep the water circulating AFTER you shut the enging OFF.

 

What about in the summer time? Does the Air Conditioner run when you are stopped at a stoplight?

I bet this system would be a big pain in the *** in bumper-to-bumper traffic jams.

 

I thought about that. Say your towing a trailer with a heavy load in the mountains and come to a red lite? That could be tricky. I think GM claims the LS-1 can restart in 1 second when warm. I'm guessing GM figures the delay won't be a problem

 

Say buy to you reaction times.

I don't like it at all. That's all you need is more parts to fail.

 

I don't think this is the type of truck you'll see at "A DRAGSTRIP NEAR YOU" anytime soon.