Chicago 2009: Propane-powered Saturn Vue Hybrid
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Feb 11th 2009 at 7:47PM 
Click above for a gallery of the propane-powered Saturn Vue Hybrid
Tucked away in a corner of the Chicago Auto Show was a booth from Shell Gasoline, and included amongst the tuner vehicles was a Saturn Vue Hybrid that was converted to run on propane. Other modifications to the vehicle include a free-flow exhaust system and air filter, a belly pan for improved aerodynamics and roof-mounted solar panels. We're not real sure what the solar panels are for, but our best guess is that they would allow the Vue's electrical systems to operate without draining the battery.
The best modification, by far, has got to be the cooking grill that's attached to the rear of the vehicle. We imagine, though it's not spelled out anywhere, that the grill runs off the same propane as the vehicle's engine, making this quite possibly the perfect tailgaiting vehicle. How cool is that?
Inside, the interior has been upgraded with seats that are upholstered with leather and Raphia fiber, GPS navigation and a full custom audio system. The entire vehicle has been lowered by 35 millimeters via new springs and then raised back up with 20-inch rims. See our full live gallery below.
Photos copyright ©2009 Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve-O 7:59PM (2/11/2009)
OK cool. But what's really dumb about this is that GM didn't actually make the vehicle, it was converted. We TOTALLY need more propane/CNG vehicles that were designed and built that way.
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gorr 8:42PM (2/11/2009)
We need to burn the sewage to swim thereafter in lake michigan.
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mpgomatic 7:54AM (2/12/2009)
This was shown back at SEMA.
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panochey 11:18AM (2/12/2009)
And this is designed for what use? Grillin' in the driveway? Once a month, (or year) trips to the stadium parking lot? I agree with Steve-O, drop the grill, make it CNG and skip out the trick rims. If you want to impress, lift that bad boy and put some snow and muds on it. That's the kind of vehicle someone who "grills in the great outdoors" would want.
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Carney 10:49AM (2/12/2009)
That tailgate feature gives the "King of the Hill" catchphrase "propane and propane accessories" new meaning.
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L3 10:58AM (2/12/2009)
It's still a Saturn...
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Ralph Jones 8:01PM (2/13/2009)
I'm all for anything that will help with the foreign oil crisis, but isn't Propane made from oil? I have relatives who use Propane for heating fuel, that stuff is high as a cats back. They should go back and see if they can use someething like old tires, or discarted house paint to power these cars. Propane seems like a stop-gap measure at the very best.
Ralph Jones
Germantown, TN
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Rick 5:38PM (2/12/2009)
I start liking the Vue every time I see it. Then I stop when I see that stupid fender vent.
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chambo622 6:46PM (2/12/2009)
Why can't I buy one???
We need cars like this out in the market. Not sitting idle at auto shows. C'mon.
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