A hybrid is a hybrid, right? Actually, no.

Hybrids can indicate anything from a system that shuts down gasoline power when braking or at a stop - all the way to a system that mixes both electric and gasoline power to boost power and fuel efficiency. The 2-Mode Hybrid System in the GMC Sierra and Yukon Hybrids fits in the latter category.

What makes the 2-Mode Hybrid System so sophisticated, as its name suggest, is that it offers two distinct driving modes.

Two Modes are Better Than One

Mode 1 can operate three ways: on electric power alone, on gasoline engine power alone, or with a combination of both. In stop-and-go traffic, the engine may not be needed at all, allowing you to drive up to 48 km/h on electric power, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The electric power is generated by a 300-volt battery pack that is charged through regenerative braking, which also extends brake life.

At highway speeds, Mode 2 kicks in and the 332 horsepower Vortec V8 gasoline engine flexes its muscle. The engine features fuel-saving Active Fuel Management ^®that works with electric power to keep the engine operating on four cylinders more of the time. The electric power also adds punch in such demanding situations as passing, towing a trailer or climbing steep grades.

But it isn’t only the number of modes that distinguishes this System. It’s also the way the mode is selected. Unlike many other hybrid systems that select a mode based strictly on the rate of airflow into the engine, the 2-Mode Hybrid System monitors engine torque to continuously adjust for the most effective and fuel-efficient blend of power.

That means you get the power and hauling capabilities you expect from a GMC truck, with dramatically improved fuel efficiency. Sierra and Yukon Hybrids deliver fuel efficiency numbers that are a real revelation for trucks of their size and hauling capabilities. 2WD model ratings are 9.1L/100 km highway and 9.7 L/100 km city. ^*

That’s giving a whole new meaning to the word hybrid.

^{* 2010 2WD Sierra and Yukon Hybrid ratings, based on Natural Resources Canada’s 2010 Fuel Consumption Guide. Your actual fuel consumption may vary.}

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