The Escalade Hybrid will be available with rear- or four-wheel drive. The hybrid powertrain will be available only on the standard-length Escalade; it won't be offered on the long-wheelbase Escalade ESV or the Escalade EXT sport utility truck.
The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid will have a 300-volt battery pack located under the second-row seats. The battery pack powers the electric motors, as well as the electric power steering system and electrically driven air conditioning compressor. Regenerative braking will charge the batteries. GM's patented two-mode hybrid system consists of an advanced electrically variable transmission (EVT) and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS). These systems work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 Gen IV gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late-intake valve closing (LIVC) technology.
