Video: Bob Lutz and his Volt-like truck visit Jay Leno's Garage

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Bob Lutz (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/bob lutz) recently stopped by to see Jay Leno (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/jay leno) at the comedian's Big Dog Garage (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/big dog garage), and the legendary auto executive has brought along his latest project, an extended-range VTrux electric pickup by Via Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/via motors). The creation combines a 4.3-liter V6 with an electric motor to offer around 50 miles of all-electric driving and a full range of 300 miles. When connected to a 220-volt outlet, the truck takes just four hours to fully charge. What's more, Lutz says Via Motors can install the same driveline in full-size General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/general motors) vans as well as models like the Chevrolet Suburban (http://www.autoblog.com/chevrolet/suburban), Tahoe (http://www.autoblog.com/chevrolet/tahoe) and, of course, the Cadillac Escalade (http://www.autoblog.com/cadillac/escalade).

Leno seems pretty taken with the final product, saying he can't tell a difference between the VTrux plug-in hybrid and a standard Silverado (http://www.autoblog.com/chevrolet/silverado/) pickup, save for its quiet operation. Just like in the Chevrolet Volt (http://www.autoblog.com/chevrolet/volt), once the batteries go dead, the V6 under the hood takes over to turn a generator to provide power to charge the batteries of the electric motor once again. It sounds like a pretty neat setup, though there's always the looming question of cost - Via Motors estimates the price of a Silverado-based VTRUX at $79,000 - when built "in volume (https://www.viamotors.com/preorder/)." Check out the full episode of Jay Leno's Garage (http://www.motorgen.com/2012/07/16/bob-lutz-and-his-volt-like-truck-visit-jay-lenos-garage/#continued) featuring Bob Lutz below (http://www.motorgen.com/2012/07/16/bob-lutz-and-his-volt-like-truck-visit-jay-lenos-garage/#continued).Continue reading Bob Lutz and his Volt-like truck visit Jay Leno's Garage (http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/16/bob-lutz-and-his-volt-like-truck-visit-jay-lenos-garage/)
Bob Lutz and his Volt-like truck visit Jay Leno's Garage (http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/16/bob-lutz-and-his-volt-like-truck-visit-jay-lenos-garage/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).


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[Damian]

This is the way they need to do hybrids. Electric motors moving you around with only the gas engine powering the generator.

[blackax]

This is the way they need to do hybrids. Electric motors moving you around with only the gas engine powering the generator.

I would rather have a boost button (KERS) that allows me to have more power on command. (or a system that can use the electric motors for more power off the line.)

[Damian]

Mitsubishi made an Eclipse with a 4G64T (Evo motor) to power the front wheels and 160hp electric motors at the rear that engaged at the push of a button. I really wish they made that one.