Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid coming to the Middle East through Dubai Motor Show 2007

At the forthcoming 9th Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai, General Motors will introduce to the region's market the world's first production 2-Mode full hybrid propulsion system in the full-size SUV, the Chevrolet Tahoe.

Comprehensively redesigned for 2007, the Tahoe has been weathering the demands of discerning customers in the Middle East and offers all the features as expected of a full-size SUV. With the new technology on board such as cylinder deactivation and electric motors powering the SUV, GM claims the Tahoe Hybrid to be one of the most environment friendly SUV to hit the roads. GM also announced the fuel-saving advantages of the Tahoe Hybrid powertrain are complemented with superior driving experience and uncompromised capability.

'General Motors believe energy diversity and advanced systems that reduce environmental impact is the key to removing the vehicle from the environmental debate', says Terry Johnsson, President, General Motors Middle East Operations.

The General Motors 2-Mode full hybrid system can be applied to both petrol and diesel engines. One of the chief benefits of having a 2-Mode system is that it allows for more efficient packaging because its compact and powerful electric motors are designed to fit within the approximate space of a conventional automatic transmission - an efficiency advantage compared with today's typical single-mode systems that rely on much larger electric motors.

The 2-Mode is patented hybrid technology that has been optimized for day-to-day city and highway driving situations and depending on the driving situation drivers can choose between the various power modes. When the Tahoe is at low speed and with light loads, it can run in three ways using electric power only, engine power only or in any combination of engine and electric power.

The arrival of the Tahoe Hybrid also signals a new era of thinking for the region from General Motors, a company which is also looking at various technological solutions to help the environment by reducing dependency on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.

On the other General Motors Egypt, which is located in one of the most polluted and congested cities, namely Cairo, has not yet announced when and if the Tahoe Hybrid will be launched in Egypt.