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27th
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Ever wished for an 800-hp pickup that can do over 100 mpge? That dream might just come true in the not-too-distant future thanks to one of the biggest personalities in the automotive business: Bob Lutz.
Lutz, a veteran of the automobile industry who has worked for BMW, Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors, is showing no signs of slowing down; despite the fact that he will be celebrating his 81st birthday in less than a month's time.
At the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, he was on hand to show the world his latest project: VIA Motors.
VIA Motors, formed in 2010, is all about building plug-in hybrid vehicles and while the other manufacturers who are building such vehicles are concentrating on family cars, VIA Motors is working on full-size SUVs and pickup trucks.
Their models are based on existing vehicles from the General Motors portfolio, such as the Chevrolet Silverado and the Suburban. This saves VIA Motors money to develop its technologies, and also bring the vehicles to market sooner.
While their vehicles haven't gone on sale just yet, they have secured corporate fleet partnerships with PG&E and Verizon Wireless.
While there is a need for construction site pickup trucks and service vans that can achieve over 100 mpge, these vehicles aren't going to get the hearts of enthusiasts racing.
To address that, at the North American International Auto Show, VIA Motors unveiled their latest model called the XTRUX. The XTRUX is a full-size pickup truck with an aggressive body kit and mammoth tires. Oh, it also has two electric motors that together produce 800 hp. That alone will ensure this will be a fun and fast truck.
On the sensible side, the VIA Motors XTRUX will also be capable of travelling roughly 80 km on electric power alone on a full charge thanks to its 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. When the battery runs down to 20% range, a 5.3L V8 motor (sourced from GM) on board will power the vehicle and run a generator to charge the battery. Once the battery is up to 25% charge, it will switch back to electric-only propulsion. VIA Motors hopes this continuous cycle will result in better fuel efficiency.
Lutz took time out to speak with Auto123.com exclusively, and told us that he hopes the XTRUX will be in production within two year's time. When asked how much it and their other vehicles will cost he said, “We don't have an exact figure yet, but close to twice the price of a conventional pickup.”
He also hinted about a continued partnership with GM, and when asked if VIA Motors will one day offer a plug-in hybrid Camaro or Corvette Lutz said, “I think we will have to. It's only a matter of time. We have lots of plans for the coming years.”
Whether VIA Motors will be successful in the long run is yet to be seen. However, given they have Lutz on board it has a better chance than most upstarts of making it in this tough automotive business.
Lutz, a veteran of the automobile industry who has worked for BMW, Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors, is showing no signs of slowing down; despite the fact that he will be celebrating his 81st birthday in less than a month's time.
At the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, he was on hand to show the world his latest project: VIA Motors.
VIA Motors, formed in 2010, is all about building plug-in hybrid vehicles and while the other manufacturers who are building such vehicles are concentrating on family cars, VIA Motors is working on full-size SUVs and pickup trucks.
Their models are based on existing vehicles from the General Motors portfolio, such as the Chevrolet Silverado and the Suburban. This saves VIA Motors money to develop its technologies, and also bring the vehicles to market sooner.
While their vehicles haven't gone on sale just yet, they have secured corporate fleet partnerships with PG&E and Verizon Wireless.
While there is a need for construction site pickup trucks and service vans that can achieve over 100 mpge, these vehicles aren't going to get the hearts of enthusiasts racing.
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| VIA Motors XTRUX (Photo: Nauman Farooq) |
To address that, at the North American International Auto Show, VIA Motors unveiled their latest model called the XTRUX. The XTRUX is a full-size pickup truck with an aggressive body kit and mammoth tires. Oh, it also has two electric motors that together produce 800 hp. That alone will ensure this will be a fun and fast truck.
On the sensible side, the VIA Motors XTRUX will also be capable of travelling roughly 80 km on electric power alone on a full charge thanks to its 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. When the battery runs down to 20% range, a 5.3L V8 motor (sourced from GM) on board will power the vehicle and run a generator to charge the battery. Once the battery is up to 25% charge, it will switch back to electric-only propulsion. VIA Motors hopes this continuous cycle will result in better fuel efficiency.
Lutz took time out to speak with Auto123.com exclusively, and told us that he hopes the XTRUX will be in production within two year's time. When asked how much it and their other vehicles will cost he said, “We don't have an exact figure yet, but close to twice the price of a conventional pickup.”
He also hinted about a continued partnership with GM, and when asked if VIA Motors will one day offer a plug-in hybrid Camaro or Corvette Lutz said, “I think we will have to. It's only a matter of time. We have lots of plans for the coming years.”
Whether VIA Motors will be successful in the long run is yet to be seen. However, given they have Lutz on board it has a better chance than most upstarts of making it in this tough automotive business.