Would you buy a new 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 or a 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 if it had a V8 gas/electric hybrid powertrain? We explore this and many other topics in the latest TFL Talkin’ Trucks Podcast. Let’s dig in!
Remember when GM sold Hybrid pickup trucks and full-size SUVs between 2005 and 2013? This General Motors tow-mode hybrid system that came out in 2008/2009 was sophisticated and modern by today’s standards. Perhaps, the downsides had to do with the hybrid battery capacity and electric system power.
GM could implement an updated version of this “two-mode” hybrid system with their new 5.7L and 6.6L V8 engines for 2027 and beyond. The next-generation hybrid system could bring several benefits.
First, it’s about power and performance. GM is rumored to introduce the 6th-generation of the small-block V8 engines next year. The rumor is they will offer two choices: a 5.7L (350 cu-in) V8 and a 6.6L (400 cu-in) V8. An electric motor that is sandwiched between the engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission will add power.
The 2026 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX hybrid is rated at 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Ram 1500 offers a high-output 3.0L twin-turbo I6 Hurricane engine with 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque.
Next, it’s about efficiency and economy. A full-hybrid or a tow-mode hybrid would allow the vehicle to temporarily drive on electric power alone. The system can also recoup kinetic energy back into the battery using the electric motor/generator. This would result in significant MPG improvements over the current V8 engines.
Finally, it’s about power export and generation. The Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid offers up to 7.2 kW of export power via a 240-volt outlet. This allows the truck to power a home during an outage, charge another electric vehicle, power a job site, power a camp site, or even run a welder.
What do you think? Would you buy a V8 gas/electric hybrid if it cost about the same as the current premium engine option?
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