THE SATURN VUE GREEN LINE - A REAL HYBRID
By Colin Ayres - EcoCarOnline.com
For any hybrid enthusiast that didn't catch it at the auto show, the anticipation of the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line, due to be released sometime in the summer of 2006, is hard to bear. But with so many hybrids on the market today already pushing the best value and highest performance, it's even harder to believe the hype.
True, this model may not turn the course of hybrid technology. However, it will turn some heads. Saturn, one of the first auto makers to develop an electric car - the EV1 - is steadily continuing in their innovative tradition with the Vue Green Line.
No surprise, the VGL will be one of the most affordable hybrid SUVs on the market today. That's good news for buyers, who get impressive performance, lower emissions, and better gas mileage, combined with a sleek, sporty look and convenient innovations throughout the interior - all for less than $23,000.
The 2007 edition is unlike other hybrids, designed as more than a stop-start system, rather than switching back and forth between electric and gas power. G.M. is calling it a real hybrid, utilizing, for example, "electric power assist," which transfers energy to the wheels when passing or rapidly accelerating. This assistance will give drivers the feel of acceleration and improved performance.
The design also includes G.M.'s belt alternator starter (BAS) system. Combined with regenerative braking and a modified 4-speed automatic transmission in a 2.4 liter ECOTEC engine, the system will give a 12-15 percent improvement in fuel economy over earlier VUE models.
Passenger comfort features are aplenty, including standard air conditioning, CD stereo, OnStar®, and more. All of which maintain full functionality when the vehicle is stopped.
So, it may not be the blueprint for all future hybrid designs. But Saturn is moving in the right direction.
| Specifications |
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| Price: |
Less than $23,000 |
| Powertrain: |
2.4L DOHC inline 4-cylinder |
| Estimated HP: |
170 |
| EPA-estimated mileage ratings: |
27 mpg city / 32 mpg hwy |
| Transmission: |
Hydra-Matic 4T45-E automatic |
| Wheelbase: |
106.6 in. |
| Length: |
181.3 in. |
| Width: |
71.5 in. |
| Height: |
66.5 in. |
Source. HybridCars.com and Saturn.com |
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