GM introducing plug-in hybrid Saturn Vue in 2009

clett · 09-17-2007, 05:27 AM

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID.../709130419/1014

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Saturn will put General Motors Corp.'s first plug-in hybrid -- a Vue compact SUV that can run up to 10 miles solely on electricity and switch to an engine for longer trips -- on the road "very quickly," brand general manager Jill Lajdziak said Wednesday.

"In 2009-ish," Lajdziak said.

Other automakers are working on plug-ins, but that timetable gives Saturn at least a fighting chance to give GM the high ground in the battle for environmental leadership and the huge PR benefits that go with it.

It also would be a major win in GM's fight to reclaim the mantle of technical leadership it held for decades.

The Vue plug-in will become the third hybrid version of the popular Vue SUV. It will combine lithium-ion batteries and GM's innovative two-mode hybrid system with the ability to recharge from 110-volt household current.

The Vue plug-in will use different technology from the electric drive powertrain GM is developing for the Chevrolet Volt.

catgic · 09-17-2007, 06:40 AM

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SomervillePrius · 09-17-2007, 08:12 AM

This is promising news!

If they can deliver a plug-in SUV with 10 miles range it would be a great start. Our family will within the next few years need a larger car then our Prius to fit 2 adults, 2 large german shepherd and (hopefully) a kid. The prius is simply to small so we need a station wagon of some sort. At this point the Saturn Vue is high on the list (if it's big enough) as our second car. I think it will be able to compete with the "speed rocket" highlander hybrid.

In my mind Toyota is slow introducing new hybrid models. The highlander is not really what I want, and the Prius and the Camry fights in the same arena. Where is the hybrid station wagon or mini van that actually aims at good fuel efficiency instead of power?

I think the rest of the industry is (finally) catching up to Toyota.

chogan · 09-17-2007, 08:18 AM

That's interesting for the battery alone. If they think they're ready for a 10 mile PHEH Vue, then they're technically ready for anything along these lines.

brick · 09-17-2007, 10:09 AM

This is good news! I've spent my fair share of time being skeptical of the two-mode system but haven't found any good reason not to be happy that this is being built. I'm a little scared of the prospect of a V6 making it under the hood instead of an efficient 4, but the plug might sweeten the deal just enough for those who really need somethig that large.

naterprius · 09-17-2007, 12:32 PM

This wouldn't help me much. My 40 mile daily commute would probably balance out to 45 mpg just like the Prius. 10 miles electric, then 30 miles mediocre mileage.

I guess I'll just stick with my new RAV4 EV electric vehicle which is bigger than a VUE and has 100 mile range on one charge. ;-)

Nate

FireEngineer · 09-17-2007, 01:05 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Sep 17 2007, 11:32 AM) [snapback]513748[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I guess I'll just stick with my new RAV4 EV electric vehicle which is bigger than a VUE and has 100 mile range on one charge. ;-)

Nate
[/b]

Show off.

Wayne

**Tideland Prius** · 09-17-2007, 03:54 PM

Why do I shiver when I read the words "Saturn will put General Motors Corp.'s first plug-in hybrid "

Saturn??? history repeating itself?

VBsportbiker · 09-18-2007, 12:25 AM

Wow! A whole ten miles? AHHHH...How I long for an EV-1. Shame Saturn can't grow some real cahoontas and start producing them again. Saturn bragging about a partial all electric vehicle when it produced capable, reliable, emissions free EV-1's w/ a 100 mile range is like EXXON-Mobile saying they are the leader in low gas prices because they dropped the cost per gallon down a dime.

Duffer · 09-18-2007, 09:32 AM

Will the new Saturn Hybrids be very maintenance free and extremely reliable? I don't want to see my dealer unless I am buying a new vehicle.
Will the Saturn Vue have a CVT? You would have to drag me kicking and screaming back to a 4-speedless auto trans.
Fuel economy tops my list of performance needs, how will the new Vue do?
Ah yes, to drive in Germany on the Autobaun, how lovely and exciting! Welcome To Pennsylvania, USA Dirtbag! We have stoplights by the millions here and you had better be ready to stop and start at each and every one of them. We have traffic all day and into the night with the slowest person in the lead ( I guess you call him/her the winner?), sure you can drive briskly at night if you dare to dodge deer.
Cut the crap in the press release and give me the details on the new product already.

09-17-2007, 08:12 AM	#3
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	This is promising news! If they can deliver a plug-in SUV with 10 miles range it would be a great start. Our family will within the next few years need a larger car then our Prius to fit 2 adults, 2 large german shepherd and (hopefully) a kid. The prius is simply to small so we need a station wagon of some sort. At this point the Saturn Vue is high on the list (if it's big enough) as our second car. I think it will be able to compete with the "speed rocket" highlander hybrid. In my mind Toyota is slow introducing new hybrid models. The highlander is not really what I want, and the Prius and the Camry fights in the same arena. Where is the hybrid station wagon or mini van that actually aims at good fuel efficiency instead of power? I think the rest of the industry is (finally) catching up to Toyota. __________________ help start a revolution! Demand PLUG IN Hybrids to be built today!

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09-17-2007, 05:27 AM	#1
clett Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 503 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Friends: 0	http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID.../709130419/1014 FRANKFURT, Germany -- Saturn will put General Motors Corp.'s first plug-in hybrid -- a Vue compact SUV that can run up to 10 miles solely on electricity and switch to an engine for longer trips -- on the road "very quickly," brand general manager Jill Lajdziak said Wednesday. "In 2009-ish," Lajdziak said. Other automakers are working on plug-ins, but that timetable gives Saturn at least a fighting chance to give GM the high ground in the battle for environmental leadership and the huge PR benefits that go with it. It also would be a major win in GM's fight to reclaim the mantle of technical leadership it held for decades. The Vue plug-in will become the third hybrid version of the popular Vue SUV. It will combine lithium-ion batteries and GM's innovative two-mode hybrid system with the ability to recharge from 110-volt household current. The Vue plug-in will use different technology from the electric drive powertrain GM is developing for the Chevrolet Volt.

09-17-2007, 06:40 AM	#2
catgic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: HTTP 404 Not Found Posts: 230 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	HTTP 404 Not Found

09-17-2007, 08:18 AM	#4
chogan Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vienna, VA Posts: 590 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	That's interesting for the battery alone. If they think they're ready for a 10 mile PHEH Vue, then they're technically ready for anything along these lines.

09-17-2007, 10:09 AM	#5
brick Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 895 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 10 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts Friends: 0	This is good news! I've spent my fair share of time being skeptical of the two-mode system but haven't found any good reason not to be happy that this is being built. I'm a little scared of the prospect of a V6 making it under the hood instead of an efficient 4, but the plug might sweeten the deal just enough for those who really need somethig that large.

09-17-2007, 12:32 PM	#6
naterprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,831 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	This wouldn't help me much. My 40 mile daily commute would probably balance out to 45 mpg just like the Prius. 10 miles electric, then 30 miles mediocre mileage. I guess I'll just stick with my new RAV4 EV electric vehicle which is bigger than a VUE and has 100 mile range on one charge. ;-) Nate

09-17-2007, 03:54 PM	#8
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Why do I shiver when I read the words "Saturn will put General Motors Corp.'s first plug-in hybrid " Saturn??? history repeating itself?

09-18-2007, 12:25 AM	#9
VBsportbiker Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Wow! A whole ten miles? AHHHH...How I long for an EV-1. Shame Saturn can't grow some real cahoontas and start producing them again. Saturn bragging about a partial all electric vehicle when it produced capable, reliable, emissions free EV-1's w/ a 100 mile range is like EXXON-Mobile saying they are the leader in low gas prices because they dropped the cost per gallon down a dime.

09-18-2007, 09:32 AM	#10
Duffer Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 141 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Will the new Saturn Hybrids be very maintenance free and extremely reliable? I don't want to see my dealer unless I am buying a new vehicle. Will the Saturn Vue have a CVT? You would have to drag me kicking and screaming back to a 4-speedless auto trans. Fuel economy tops my list of performance needs, how will the new Vue do? Ah yes, to drive in Germany on the Autobaun, how lovely and exciting! Welcome To Pennsylvania, USA Dirtbag! We have stoplights by the millions here and you had better be ready to stop and start at each and every one of them. We have traffic all day and into the night with the slowest person in the lead ( I guess you call him/her the winner?), sure you can drive briskly at night if you dare to dodge deer. Cut the crap in the press release and give me the details on the new product already.