Enter the Rumormill: upcoming Buick CUV may get 2-Mode hybrid powertrain
For all those weeping and gnashing their teeth over the loss of the 2-Mode Hybrid Saturn Vue, a ray of hope may be on the horizon from a seemingly unlikely source. According to a posting on GM-Volt.com, there's a possibility that an upcoming CUV from Buick could be granted access to the sophisticated hybrid technology that GM had initially intended for the latest Saturn Vue and was already supposed to be in dealer showrooms by now.
The world got a sneak peek at the new Buick 'ute on a CBS News piece that featured an interview with GM's Ed Welburn. This new CUV will share the same platform as the soon-to-be-departing Saturn Vue, so it theoretically shouldn't be too difficult to port the technology to Buick for a 2011 model year release. Of course, there still remains the possibility that the 2-Mode could also make an appearance in the latest Chevy Equinox or Cadillac SRX.
[Source: GM-Volt.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 8:50AM (6/16/2009)
Makes sense.
Chevy buyers are too cheap to pay for the two-mode. And Cadillac buyers don't care about mpg.
Not to mention, Buick buyers hate pumping gas because they have arthritis. So a 500+ mile range suits them well.
Reply
Matt 11:02AM (6/16/2009)
I can't imagine them not putting the 2-mode in the Equinox. It's far more popular and they can up-charge for it as an add option and maybe turn a profit. Buick has a stigma that it's not likely to shake, and will either have to totally re-brand itself or it will die out with the people that currently buy them.
Reply
Dave 1:02PM (6/17/2009)
I think that Buick is trying to redefine itself. The 2010 LaCrosse doesn't look like your father's car anymore and the styling of the Enclave competes against the Mazda CX9 and is better looking than the Luxus RX and BMW X5 box (looks Bimmer great from the front, but like a bread box from the rear) . It may not compete against the styling of Infiniti's FX series, but it does ride a lot smoother for us old folk.
Matt 1:22PM (6/17/2009)
I hope they pull it off, we need a mid grade car that I can afford and want again.
gulags 12:04PM (6/16/2009)
That screengrab reminds me of the classic SNL fake commercial for the Adobe Car.
Reply