GM's Advanced Hybrid Technology Delivers Up To 50-Percent Fuel Economy Increase
With No Compromises in Performance, Capability

* First brand to offer two hybrid options on the same model
* Third hybrid in Saturn's portfolio
* Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (ATPZEV)

DETROIT – The all-new 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode, the first front-wheel-drive compact SUV in the world powered by General Motors' two-mode hybrid technology, is designed for customers who want the outstanding fuel savings of an advanced hybrid and the full power and towing capability of an SUV. The Vue Green Line 2 Mode was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show.

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode will deliver an estimated 50-percent fuel economy increase over the non-hybrid V-6 Vue. It also is expected to have a driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km).

In addition, the Vue Green Line 2 Mode's 3.6L VVT V-6 engine with direct injection technology ensures there are no trade-offs between performance and fuel economy. Acceleration time from 0-60 is expected to be around 7.3 seconds, and the maximum towing load will be 3,500 pounds (1588 kg).

Production is slated to begin in late 2008.

"The Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode challenges the notion that a compact SUV can't be both powerful and efficient," said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn general manager. "Customers tell us they want a compact SUV that will respect the environment and save money at the gas pump, but they don't want to give up performance and utility. We've responded with the Vue Green Line 2 Mode."

The 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode sports the same European-inspired design language of the non-hybrid Vue, completely redesigned for the 2008 model year. Subtle exterior changes include "2 Mode" badging on the front doors and rear liftgate; and lightweight aluminum alloy wheels and low-rolling resistance tires that enhance fuel economy. The Vue Green Line 2 Mode's appearance is further accented by chrome door handles, chrome dual exhaust tips and chrome skid plates on the front and rear lower fascia.

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode features technologies and refinements in the fuel and exhaust systems that classify it as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in the state of California and other states that have adopted California's motor vehicle emissions rules. When it arrives in dealer showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2008, the Vue Green Line 2 Mode will be Saturn's third hybrid, joining the Vue Green Line 4-cylinder hybrid SUV and the Aura Green Line sedan.

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode is GM's first application of two-mode technology on a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The system is currently on the V-8-equipped Chevrolet Tahoe 2 Mode and GMC Yukon 2 Mode full-size SUVs, and becomes available in 2008 on the Cadillac Escalade 2 Mode luxury SUV and Chevrolet Silverado 2 Mode full-size pickup.

How the Vue Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid works

GM's two-mode hybrid system in the Vue Green Line 2 Mode improves fuel economy by the following operations:

* Engine off at idle
* Low-speed, electric-only propulsion
* Cutting off fuel to the engine during vehicle deceleration
* Regenerative braking
* Energy-efficient accessory systems

Unlike single-mode hybrid technology found in competitors' SUVs, the two-mode system maximizes city and highway fuel economy by integrating two electric continuously variable modes with four fixed mechanical gear ratios. The system consists of twin, active-cooled 55-kW electric motors integrated into the 2MT70 automatic transmission. Energy to power the motors comes from a 1.8 kWh, 300V nickel-metal hydride battery pack, which consists of 22 nickel metal hydride modules and is packaged behind the second-row seat below the cargo floor.

The transmission is mated to GM's 3.6L V-6 VVT with direct injection technology. In the first mode, at low speed and light load, the Vue Green Line 2 Mode operates in one of three ways depending on conditions and battery charge level: all-electric power, internal combustion engine power or a combination of the two. All reverse operation is driven by the electric motors.

The second mode is used primarily at highway speeds to optimize fuel economy. It provides electric assist in addition to six-cylinder power when conditions demand it, such as trailer towing and climbing steep grades, and to allow the engine to run at its most efficient point under less-demanding conditions.

No engine speed changes are necessary for the mode shift to occur. The result is exceptionally smooth, seamless acceleration and responsiveness. At all times, the system's Hybrid Optimizing System (HOS) collects torque-based data, deciphers it, then determines the most fuel-efficient means of propelling the Vue Green Line 2 Mode.

Direct injection V-6 boosts efficiency

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode's standard engine is an advanced 3.6L V-6 VVT with direct injection, a member of GM's family of high-feature V-6s. The direct injection engine uses regular unleaded fuel and represents one of the most sophisticated applications of its kind on a hybrid SUV.

Direct injection delivers fuel directly to the combustion chambers and permits a higher compression ratio, improving fuel efficiency. Additionally, the technology reduces cold-start hydrocarbon emissions by up to 25 percent.

The 3.6L VVT with direct injection also features a U.S. auto industry-first isolated fuel injector that greatly reduces the ticking noise associated with other direct injection engines. Other noise-reduction features include the use of acoustic foam in the engine valley and cover.

Specially tuned chassis for a smooth ride

Because the hybrid system changes the weight distribution on the Vue Green Line 2 Mode, special chassis refinements such as revised front and rear spring rates; revised front and rear stabilizer bar rates and recalibrated front struts and rear shock absorbers help ensure a smooth driving experience.

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode is equipped with a "fully blended" electro-hydraulic brake system that enables 100-percent regenerative braking (batteries are charged during braking), 100-percent friction braking (traditional four-wheel disc braking) or a combination of the two. During regenerative braking, the system converts kinetic energy to electrical power, then stores the power in the Energy Storage System.

A 12V rack-mounted Electric Power Steering system replaces a conventional column-mounted hydraulic system and saves fuel – gaining up to a half-mile per gallon of gas. It also gives the Vue Green Line 2 Mode more precise steering inputs and better overall on-center feel.

Intuitive displays keep drivers in the know

The Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode's instrument panel lets drivers know that they're behind the wheel of a sophisticated hybrid, yet with gauges that are easy to understand. An efficiency gauge replaces the tachometer, informing drivers of when they are achieving maximum fuel economy; whether the vehicle is in electric-only mode, engine-only mode or a combination of the two; and, because of the silent start as the key is turned, a telltale indicates when the vehicle is on and ready to drive.

In the center console, a full-color VGA power-flow graphic, which is integrated into an available navigation system, continuously informs the driver and passenger whether the vehicle is sending power to the wheels from the battery pack, engine or both. It also indicates when energy is being captured during braking.

Vue Green Line 2 Mode is generously equipped

In addition to its high-tech propulsion system, the Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode boasts a number of standard safety features including four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, rollover detection system, pedestrian impact protection, tire pressure monitoring system, Pedal Release System, front active head restraints, and six air bags (driver and front passenger frontal and seat-mounted side-impact, and roof rail curtains for both seating rows).

Other features include power-adjustable heated outside mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise controls; and a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary input jack. A navigation system and power sunroof are available.

Saturn's hybrid family is growing

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode is the third hybrid to join the Saturn lineup. Other members of the Green Line family include the Vue (4-cylinder) Green Line and the Aura Green Line sedan. They are equipped with the affordable GM Hybrid system, which reduces fuel consumption using sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic four-speed transmission.

Remember the Saturn Vue Two-Mode Hybrid? If you don’t, you’ll never know it, as this Saturn Vue model will never go on sale.

The vehicle was so close to launch that the EPA even tested it: The Vue Two-Mode would have received a 27/30 mpg city/highway, 28 mpg combined rating. That means the ill-fated 255-hp hybrid crossover would have been more fuel-efficient than the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (though that model is larger and comes equipped with all-wheel drive), but less efficient than the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and 2010 Lexus RX 450h.

The Vue Two-Mode Hybrid was part of Saturn’s aggressive hybrid strategy, which was intended to lead to a plug-in hybrid in 2010. The Vue Two-Mode Hybrid was equipped with a powerful V-6 engine and could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The model would have complemented the Vue Hybrid, which has a 172-hp four-cylinder powertrain and, interestingly enough, achieves the same combined EPA rating – 28 mpg – as its erstwhile Two-Mode sibling would have.

The Vue Two-Mode was supposed to be a 2009 model, going on sale in late 2008. Saturn even went so far as to put the vehicle up on its build configurator at the beginning of the year. Since then, the model has been taken off Saturn’s consumer site, and there’s no mention of it as a future model. The model never went into production at GM’s Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, assembly plant where all Vues are built.

Now, with GM’s recent bankruptcy, the automaker is actively looking for a buyer for Saturn, which could drastically change the brand’s vehicle lineup.

The 2007 Saturn Vue was the first GM SUV to have a hybrid system. The Vue Two-Mode would have been the first front-wheel-drive implementation of GM’s two-mode hybrid technology; as of now, the system is only used on full-size SUVs and trucks.

For 2010, Saturn had also planned to offer a plug-in version of the Vue, which would have allowed the vehicle to travel 10 miles on its electric motors only.

According to Motor Trend, GM has confirmed that the Vue’s plug-in hybrid technology will be implemented on another model, from either Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac.

As expected, GM's Vice Chairman Tom Stephens revealed that with the automaker poised to either sell or shutter Saturn by the end of the year, the planned Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid will instead become another model within the General's remaining four core brands (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick). Which brand, you ask? Stephens and company would not yet give a hint.

Prior to the division's demise in the GM portfolio, Saturn was scheduled to release a fleet of Vue plug-ins sometime in 2011 for trial runs by the U.S. Department of Energy and a non-profit organization called the Electric Power Research Institute.

Internet chatter has most believing GM's plug-in hybrid system, which is based on a modified version of the automaker's two-mode hybrid technology, will be employed on another Vue-sized compact crossover, possibly the new Chevrolet Equinox. The Vue Plug-in was estimated to achieve 35 mpg or higher with the system in place.

Whatever the brand and model that gets the hybrid technology, Stephens assured the public on his GM FastLane Blog that there will be no delay in its delivery. Fleets of the undisclosed vehicle will still make it to the DOE and EPRI in two years time, GM says.

The new model, as well as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, are two of the planned 14 electric and hybrid vehicles GM hopes to offer by 2012.

Source: GM FastLane Blog