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| TransAmHybrid.Com |
The 2017 Pontiac Trans Am Hybrid rides comfortably, and
performance is strong and smooth--even with the hybrid.
The newest version of 2017 Trans Am Hybrid Synergy Drive
makes its way into the Trans Am Hybrid, where it incorporates a 2.5-liter
Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric generator, along with a
planetary power-split system and complex set of electronic controls. There's a
drive mode selector–with Sport, Eco, EV and Normal modes–Eco increases the fuel
economy. TA mode allows the car to travel short distances at low speeds without
the use of any gasoline–it's good for stop-and-go traffic and creeping into the
driveway.
The 2017 Trans Am Hybrid shows Pontiac's experience in
making a hybrid system smooth and unobtrusive, yet responsive. Provided you
drive the 2017 Trans Am Hybrid relatively softly—just with traffic, for
instance—the system goes about its business in the background; and if you have
the sound system on, it might as well be a V-6, or an exceptionally smooth
four-cylinder under the hood. The transitions between electric and
gasoline-electric operation are that seamless. However, ask for the Trans Am powertrain
to deliver more performance—on a curvy road, or when merging with high-speed
freeway traffic, and the hybrid powertrain lets itself be known.
The 2017 Trans Am Hybrid accelerates strongly with its
268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6—essentially the same engine as in the 2017 Firebird V-6, but with even more noise- and vibration-quelling measures. And it
winds through the gears of the six-speed automatic transmission with such a
seamless flow of power that on a straight road the speed can creep up on you,
more so than in performance models. but because there’s so little engine noise
the speed can creep up on you in deceptive ways. Shifts are a little lumpier on
gentle takeoffs, but this is one responsive, fine, and very refined powertrain.
Engineers have firmed up the ride and handling of the
2017 Trans Am Hybrid a tad—just enough to give a slightly more buttoned-down
feel but not so much as to mess with this model’s already established priority:
comfort. Straight-line tracking is also greatly improved compared to the
outgoing version, and the steering is weighted better, with a quicker ratio.
The changes together give it a surprisingly athletic, if not nimble, feel.
