Gm plug in hybrid -- 70 mpg!

parrot_lady · 12-09-2006, 09:12 AM

GM has high expectations for its plug-in Saturn Vue Green Line

Last week, DailyTech reported that GM is set to introduce a plug-in Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid in 2008 for the 2009 model year. The company has been a bit behind in the development of hybrid power trains in relation to Toyota and Ford. The news was a welcomed announcement for the automotive industry. The market for hybrids is expected to expand from around 200,000 units per year in 2006 to 800,000 units per year in 2012.

But while the announcement of a plug-in hybrid was seen as big news for the company, this latest announcement is even more awe-inspiring. GM has stated that its plug-in Vue Hybrid will achieve 70 MPG. Those numbers seem almost unbelievable for a 3,500 pound vehicle -- even for a plug-in hybrid. For comparison, here are some mileage figures for four of the most popular hybrids on the market:

Full article here: http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5272

john1701a · 12-09-2006, 12:51 PM

What I find fascinating it is not being the rumored series design, as so many had speculated. Instead, it is just an augmentation of the "full" hybrid design that many Prius enthusiasts hoped for... since that will definitely encourage Toyota to take another step further with the use of electricity.

But just like when Prius was new, they have quite a bit of logistics to tackle. Everything from misconceptions to salepeople still need to be addressed. Then once those questions are answered, many will still wait for the real-world data before actually making a purchase.

With plug-in technology especially, there are quite a few unknowns. Dealing with those will take time. Meanwhile, lots of counter-efforts will likely thrive. The greatest steps forward always encounter resistance. Inevitable change awakens inevitable futility. That part of the game. So I'm thrilled that GM is part of this. They certainly weren't during the previous phases of hybrid rollout.

tstreet · 12-09-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

But while the announcement of a plug-in hybrid was seen as big news for the company, this latest announcement is even more awe-inspiring. GM has stated that its plug-in Vue Hybrid will achieve 70 MPG. Those numbers seem almost unbelievable for a 3,500 pound vehicle -- even for a plug-in hybrid. For comparison, here are some mileage figures for four of the most popular hybrids on the market:[/b]

70 mpg is not very impressive and is not terribly meaningful until one spells out what that number is based upon.

**Tideland Prius** · 12-09-2006, 04:08 PM

GM has said a lotta things. I'll wait til they actually come up with something. Even Toyota hasn't "boasted" about 100mpg plug-in Priuses (Note that 100mpg next gen Prius is simply 40km/L converted into UK mpg. The current Prius gets 35.5km/L so really, it isn't that big of a step).

paulccullen · 12-10-2006, 08:46 PM

I'm torn. On one hand I encourage any company that produces plug-in hybrids, but on the other hand (since I've just watched "Who Killed the Electric Car?"), I have to say: By all means get a PHEV, but get one from anybody *but* GM. They may decide to recall them all and crush them, just like they did with the EV1.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 12-10-2006, 08:57 PM

Yeah. I'm with Paul on this one. Sort of.

While I would like to see any manufacturer come out with a 100MPG vehicle, when it comes to GM I have to say, "I'll believe it when I see one on the dealer's lot." I won't believe it when I see a prototype.

I seriously hope that GM would never again manufacture a car and recall them just to smash them after the W.K.T.E.C. movie. I mean really. If they pull that move TWICE after the first one was so widely publicized. . . Well, I don't even know how to end that sentence.

clett · 12-11-2006, 06:11 AM

GM announced an 80 mpg vehicle 5 years ago (the precept).

That project got scrapped before production.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive...rs/1267946.html

IALTMANN · 12-13-2006, 01:47 AM

Well back for awhile, the Pri (2005) came back to life, was "over there" overseas...Hope GM can pull it off, how about a little "patriotism" here..?? Hated to buy the Japanese product but did want the exceptional mileage. At 70 MPG, a Saturn VUE, a 3500 lbs car, I definetely would overlook the Pri., and get the PLUG IN model. That is exactly what my next step would be, power plant cost and efficiency would be like taking the bus., or car pooling..it is cheaper by the dozen. As for GM and the rest of the US automarket, I would hope they are getting the message, I think they are. Good to be home.

Immanuel Altmann

sdgeiger · 01-21-2007, 10:36 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tstreet @ Dec 9 2006, 03:57 PM) [snapback]359830[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

70 mpg is not very impressive and is not terribly meaningful until one spells out what that number is based upon.
[/b]

70 sounds impressive to me. I have a 2005 Prius and during the winter, I get 43 Mpg, now that I have these horrible Michelin HydroEdge tires, I only get 39-40. Unfortunately, I don't live in an area with flat roadways, so my Prius never gets of 50 Mph in the best weather condition.

Of course, 70 is probably the Mpg during the best conditions, and maybe we can expect a lower number in the winter, say 60? If so, that's still much better than the Prius.

kDB · 01-21-2007, 10:51 AM

There was an article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch a few days about the Volt. It stated it could go 40 miles on a charge, and achieve 150mpg on a 60 mile commute. 40 miles in EV mode and 20 miles at 50mpg, that seems about right. My guess would be they are figuring out the mpg for the Vue plug-in the same way.

12-09-2006, 09:12 AM	#1
parrot_lady Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 344 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	GM has high expectations for its plug-in Saturn Vue Green Line Last week, DailyTech reported that GM is set to introduce a plug-in Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid in 2008 for the 2009 model year. The company has been a bit behind in the development of hybrid power trains in relation to Toyota and Ford. The news was a welcomed announcement for the automotive industry. The market for hybrids is expected to expand from around 200,000 units per year in 2006 to 800,000 units per year in 2012. But while the announcement of a plug-in hybrid was seen as big news for the company, this latest announcement is even more awe-inspiring. GM has stated that its plug-in Vue Hybrid will achieve 70 MPG. Those numbers seem almost unbelievable for a 3,500 pound vehicle -- even for a plug-in hybrid. For comparison, here are some mileage figures for four of the most popular hybrids on the market: Full article here: http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5272 __________________ I gave up trying to figure out the plural of prius long ago. Someone asked me what kind of cars our family drove and I simply told them "We're a two prion family, no more no less." --- mods: Block heater(ins 1-28-06)mudflaps(ins 12-16-05), BT Tech chassis stiffening plate ( ins 12-16), EV switch (Rec'd)

12-09-2006, 12:51 PM	#2
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,682 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	What I find fascinating it is not being the rumored series design, as so many had speculated. Instead, it is just an augmentation of the "full" hybrid design that many Prius enthusiasts hoped for... since that will definitely encourage Toyota to take another step further with the use of electricity. But just like when Prius was new, they have quite a bit of logistics to tackle. Everything from misconceptions to salepeople still need to be addressed. Then once those questions are answered, many will still wait for the real-world data before actually making a purchase. With plug-in technology especially, there are quite a few unknowns. Dealing with those will take time. Meanwhile, lots of counter-efforts will likely thrive. The greatest steps forward always encounter resistance. Inevitable change awakens inevitable futility. That part of the game. So I'm thrilled that GM is part of this. They certainly weren't during the previous phases of hybrid rollout. __________________ JOHN http://john1701a.com 48.0 MPG average @ 108,221 miles

12-10-2006, 08:57 PM	#6
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,340 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	Yeah. I'm with Paul on this one. Sort of. While I would like to see any manufacturer come out with a 100MPG vehicle, when it comes to GM I have to say, "I'll believe it when I see one on the dealer's lot." I won't believe it when I see a prototype. I seriously hope that GM would never again manufacture a car and recall them just to smash them after the W.K.T.E.C. movie. I mean really. If they pull that move TWICE after the first one was so widely publicized. . . Well, I don't even know how to end that sentence. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness >>Current Mileage<< Spreading information and passing gas in the Greater Chicagoland area

12-13-2006, 01:47 AM	#8
IALTMANN Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 719 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well back for awhile, the Pri (2005) came back to life, was "over there" overseas...Hope GM can pull it off, how about a little "patriotism" here..?? Hated to buy the Japanese product but did want the exceptional mileage. At 70 MPG, a Saturn VUE, a 3500 lbs car, I definetely would overlook the Pri., and get the PLUG IN model. That is exactly what my next step would be, power plant cost and efficiency would be like taking the bus., or car pooling..it is cheaper by the dozen. As for GM and the rest of the US automarket, I would hope they are getting the message, I think they are. Good to be home. Immanuel Altmann __________________ Immanuel Altmann ...[color=orange]

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12-09-2006, 04:08 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,765 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	GM has said a lotta things. I'll wait til they actually come up with something. Even Toyota hasn't "boasted" about 100mpg plug-in Priuses (Note that 100mpg next gen Prius is simply 40km/L converted into UK mpg. The current Prius gets 35.5km/L so really, it isn't that big of a step).

12-10-2006, 08:46 PM	#5
paulccullen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 259 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm torn. On one hand I encourage any company that produces plug-in hybrids, but on the other hand (since I've just watched "Who Killed the Electric Car?"), I have to say: By all means get a PHEV, but get one from anybody but GM. They may decide to recall them all and crush them, just like they did with the EV1.

12-11-2006, 06:11 AM	#7
clett Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 453 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	GM announced an 80 mpg vehicle 5 years ago (the precept). That project got scrapped before production. http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive...rs/1267946.html

01-21-2007, 10:51 AM	#10
kDB Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fenton, MO Posts: 243 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	There was an article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch a few days about the Volt. It stated it could go 40 miles on a charge, and achieve 150mpg on a 60 mile commute. 40 miles in EV mode and 20 miles at 50mpg, that seems about right. My guess would be they are figuring out the mpg for the Vue plug-in the same way.