The Saturn Vue is getting greener every year, and a new 2009 model to be introduced in the fall of 2008 will feature a two-mode system designed to 50-percent improvement in fuel economy and a significant reduction in emissions.
Saturn added a Green Line hybrid model to the Vue lineup for the 2007 model year. That model paired a four-cylinder engine with a single-mode hybrid system. When the company redesigned its compact sport utility vehicle for 2008, the Green Line returned. For 2009, Saturn is adding a second hybrid model to the Vue lineup with the two-mode system.
The new model will be called the Vue Green Line 2 Mode. It will pair GM's "high feature" 3.6-liter V6 with an Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT). The engine has direct injection and variable valve timing, while the transmission has two electric motors and four fixed gears. One of the motors aids power at low speeds and the other helps at highway speeds. Under light throttle, the electric motors can propel the vehicle up to 30 mph. Like other systems, the gasoline engine turns off at stops and restarts when needed.
General Motors is already using its new two-mode hybrid system in its full-size trucks and SUVs, including the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Silverado, the GMC Yukon, and the Cadillac Escalade.
Developed with Chrysler, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the two-mode system will also be used in the Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid.
The Saturn Vue will mark the first use of this system with front-wheel drive and a V6 engine.
Saturn says the 2 Mode hybrid system will deliver a 50-percent increase in fuel economy and allow the Vue Green Line 2 Mode to go 500 miles between fill-ups. Total power output has not been announced, but Saturn says 0-60 mph will take 7.3 seconds. In the standard Vue, the 3.6-liter V6 makes 257 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. We expect slightly increased overall power for the Vue 2 Mode hybrid.
The Vue Green Line 2 Mode will qualify as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in states with California emissions rules.
Unlike V8 vehicles with the two-mode hybrid system, towing capacity will not suffer. The Vue Green Line 2 Mode will be able to tow up to 3500 pounds, just like standard Vues powered by the V6.
The 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode hybrid will have a 300-volt battery pack located under the second-row seats. The battery pack powers the electric motors, as well as the electric power steering system. Regenerative braking will charge the batteries.
On the inside, the 2009 Vue Green Line 2 Mode will have an "efficiency gauge" in place of a tachometer. This gauge will denote when the vehicle is achieving maximum fuel economy, and when the powertrain is in electric-only mode, engine-only mode or a combination of the two. A dash-mounted touch screen will display a power flow screen to show where the power is coming from. It will also display real-time fuel economy, and when regenerative braking is charging the batteries.
Pricing hasn't been announced, but we expect the 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode hybrid will top $30,000 when it goes on sale late in 2008.
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