Detroit 2008: Saturn Vue Two-Mode, with and without a plug
Click the Plug-in Hybrid Vue for a high-res gallery
Saturn publicly showed two versions of the new Two-Mode hybrid Vue cross-over today using different battery technologies. One is the standard model that will go on sale toward the end of the this year with a nickel metal hydride battery pack. The second uses a lithium ion pack and has the ability to be plugged in for 4-5 hours giving it a ten mile electric range. Let me here correct an error I made in my original post on the regular two-mode Vue. Contrary to what I had heard earlier, the fuel economy improvement is actually 50 percent in combined driving rather in the city cycle. According to GM Powertrain VP Tom Stephens, GM is actually hoping to get even more improvement before production launch later this year. The company also wants to get the PHEV Vue to market by late next year, making it the first commercially available plug-in hybrid.
Gallery: Detroit 2008: Saturn Vue Two-Modes
[Source: General Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yggdrasilly 4:56PM (1/14/2008)
OK, from www.fueleconomy.gov we have, for the 2008 Saturn Vue:
Hybrid: 25 city, 32 hi, 28 combined
2WD 4-cyldr: 19 city, 26 hiway, 22 combined
4WD 6-cyldr,2-mode:15 city, 22 hiway, 17 combined
So my question is: 50 percent improvement over which model--2WD or 4WD, 4- or 6-cylinder?
And is the 2008 hybrid rated on the government site the same type as the non-PEHV being discussed here? (I'm guessing not)
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Sam Abuelsamid 7:42PM (1/15/2008)
The Two-Mode Vue is only available in front wheel drive. The fifty percent improvement is relative to the FWD V-6 Vue. That model is rated at 16/23 and 19 combined. A fifty percent improvement would put it at about 27-28 combined. The hybrid listed on the site is the four cylinder mild hybrid. The two-mode is not yet done and hasn't been certified by the EPA so isn't listed.
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