04/07/2008 10:31. Don't send in the pallbearers for full-sized sport utility vehicles at least not yet. Cadillac introduces a new wrinkle in jumbo SUVs, a three-ton hybrid Escalade with a surprising fuel-efficient performance of 21 miles per gallon on the highway. In city driving, the hybrid Escalade delivers 20 mpg, a 50 improvement over the conventional model. That's pretty spectacular for a vehicle that tips the scale at more than 6,000 pounds and could help prolong the existence of this class of vehicle.

The new two-mode hybrid system was developed by GM in a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz and BMW. GM already has introduced the two-mode system in the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Chrysler will use the two-mode hybrid system in the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen. BMW is expected to include the... // Washington Times