The newest 4x4 offerings from the 100th Los Angeles Auto Show . . .

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

What It Is: The first gas-electric powertrain offered on a full-size pickup truck.

How it Works: The GM-Daimler AG joint-venture "two-mode" hybrid system utilizes gear-driven induction motors in the transmission to provide additional power for the electric motor/generators to power the vehicle at low road speeds; the electric motors can either provide power or generate it, depending on transmission gear. Active Fuel Management and variable valve timing provide additional mileage benefits.

When You Can Get One: Sometime in 2008.

Price:  Not cheap, we'd imagine. The 2WD Tahoe/Yukon SUV hybrid will list for $50K for 2008, so we'd imagine a price in the low $40s for the pickup isn't out of the question.

Our Take: Given a claimed 21 overall mpg for the Tahoe/Yukon SUV, we'd expect the Silverado to improve slightly on those numbers. And with the likelihood of $4 gas next year, the arrival of a hybrid system in the GM truck line couldn't be happening at a better time.