Saturn Vue Green Line Gets Lowest Hybrid Suv Price, Best Suv Highway Fuel Economy Rating

New hybrid MSRP starts at $22,995; receives official EPA highway rating of 32 mpg

Detroit -- Saturn announced today that the new 2007 Vue Green Line hybrid SUV will carry a starting price of $22,995 (including destination charge), making it the lowest-priced hybrid SUV on the market.

In addition to its value price, Vue Green Line will carry an EPA fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway – the best highway fuel economy of any SUV currently available. That equates a to 20 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to a non-hybrid Vue, depending on driving conditions.

“The Vue Green Line proves you can go green without going broke,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “With a starting sticker price almost $4,000 less than any competing hybrid SUV, it makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before.”

The Vue Green Line will be produced in Spring Hill, Tenn., and will begin arriving in Saturn retail facilities later this summer.

The Vue’s hybrid system combines sophisticated controls with a precise electric motor/generator mated to the engine. The system delivers fuel economy gains by providing electric power assist during acceleration, through early fuel cut-off during deceleration with torque smoothing and by shutting the engine off at idle. The system also captures electrical energy through regenerative braking.

The vehicle’s 2.4 liter hybrid powertrain provides approximately 170 horsepower – 27 more horsepower than the 2.2 liter engine that powers the conventional Vue. The Vue Green Line’s acceleration is comparable or better than similarly equipped non-hybrid SUVs.

In addition to its hybrid powertrain, the Vue Green Line also features several standard equipment upgrades, including antilock brakes with traction control, 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome-finish skid plates, body-color door handles and exterior mirrors, bright side moldings and rear spoiler as well as specific instrumentation designed to provide the driver with hybrid system information.

As with all Vues, the Green Line model offers standard power convenience package (windows, door locks and exterior mirrors), remote keyless entry, fold-flat front passenger seatback and rear cargo organizer. All Saturn vehicles also come equipped with OnStar and a one-year subscription to the Safe and Sound service plan.

Complete information on the Vue Green Line can be found on the Web at http://www.saturn.com.

This year, Saturn will double the number of entries in its portfolio, beginning with the Sky roadster that is now arriving at retailers. Later this summer, the Vue Green Line will be joined with the all-new Aura sports sedan and the 260-horsepower turbocharged Sky Red Line. The eight-passenger Outlook crossover utility enters the market toward the end of the year.

Saturn also recently announced plans for a Green Line hybrid version of the Aura sedan in 2007.