Car Evolution: 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line

Great fuel economy through new, lower-cost hybrid system

Saturn unveiled the production version of the 2007 Vue Green Line Hybrid, the first GM vehicle powered by a new, more affordable hybrid system. The Vue Green Line delivers an estimated 20-percent improvement in fuel economy, depending on driving conditions. It is expected to deliver an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and the best highway mileage of any SUV at 32 mpg. The Vue's hybrid system will cost under $2,000. The full vehicle price will start at less than $23,000.

�The Vue Green Line is expected to be the lowest-cost hybrid-powered SUV in the market,� said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. �Its lower price allows us to offer the fuel-saving benefits of hybrids to a wider group of customers.�

The Vue Green Line uses sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L VVT four-cylinder engine and 4T45-E four-speed transmission. It is a simple and flexible hybrid design that provides additional power from the motor/generator during acceleration and allows increased fuel economy through engine shut-off at idle, fuel cut-off during deceleration and the capability to capture electrical energy through regenerative braking.

The Vue Green Line will be available in the summer of 2006. It is based on the popular Vue SUV, which was restyled for 2006 with distinctive exterior appointments and a more refined interior.

�As Saturn continues an aggressive product lineup expansion, a hybrid version of the popular Vue is a natural addition,� said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. �The Vue Green Line st rengthens our position as an environmentally aware brand that provides great value � an attribute that has always appealed to Saturn customers.�

Along with the Vue Green Line, Saturn will introduce the Sky roadster, Aura midsize sedan and Outlook crossover utility vehicle during 2006.

Fuel-saving performance

Vue Green Line�s innovative 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain is rated at 170 horsepower (127 kw), a powerful increase from the 143 hp provided by the 2.2-liter engine in the conventional four-cylinder Vue. This maintains the vehicle�s sporty feel, with acceleration better or equal to many non-hybrid SUVs.

The Vue�s hybrid system reduces fuel consumption by:

Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
Restarting the engine promptly when the brake pedal is released
Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration (regenerative braking) to charge an advanced nickel metal hydride battery
Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient

Additionally, the system provides additional power from the electric motor/generator during launch, when required. At wide-open throttle, such as during a passing maneuver, the system improves acceleration feel by using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine to achieve maximum power.

The new hybrid system also is designed to automatically maintain full accessory functionality, including climate control, when the vehicle is stopped, so that hybrid operation is transparent to the driver and passengers. The Vue Hybrid allows an appropriate balance between fuel economy and comfort by providing a system with two driver-selectable operating modes. An economy mode favors fuel economy by limiting the affect of air conditioning, while the other mode favors maximum passenger comfort and defogging performance.

Three hybrid systems

The Vue Green Line is one of 12 hybrids GM will launch, providing customers with several levels of fuel economy savings at different price points on vehicles ranging from cars to full-size SUVs.

GM launched the world�s first hybrid pickup trucks in 2004, with retail availability expanding nationwide with the 2006 model year. GM also will introduce an all-new, two-mode hybrid system that is uniquely compact and scalable to vehicles of all sizes. This new system will debut in GM�s new, full-size Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs in 2007.

2007 SATURN VUE GREEN LINE PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model:	2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid
Body style / driveline:	5-door, 5-passenger, transversely-mounted front-engine and transaxle, front-wheel drive with hybrid assist
Construction:	steel spaceframe with front and rear crumple zones; polymer front fenders, door panels, rear quarter panels and bumper fascias; galvanized steel hood, roof and liftgate
EPA vehicle class:	sport utility vehicle
Manufacturing location:	Spring Hill , Tenn.
Key competitors:	Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid

Engine

Application:	Ecotec 2.4L
Type:	2.4L DOHC inline 4-cylinder
Displacement (cu in / cc):	145 / 2376
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98
Block material:	cast aluminum with iron cylinder liners
Cylinder head material:	aluminum
Valvetrain:	dual overhead camshafts, roller-type finger followers, 4 valves per cylinder
Ignition system:	distributorless, coil-on-plug module and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs
Fuel delivery:	sequential injection with returnless fuel delivery system
Compression ratio:	10.6:1
Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm):	170 / 127 @ 6600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):	162 / 220 @ 4400 rpm
Recommended fuel:	87 octane unleaded
Maximum engine speed (rpm):	6900
Emissions controls:	positive crankcase ventilation, variable valve timing, catalytic converter, evaporative system
Engine control:	E67 controller with Hybrid Supervisory software
Estimated fuel economy: (mpg city / highway):	27/ 32 (with GM hybrid)

Hybrid System

Application:	GM Hybrid System
System type:	motor / generator
Max. auto-start torque (lb.-ft. / Nm):	115 / 156
Battery pack:	NiMH
Battery pack peak power (kW):	14.5 (delivering or receiving)

Transmission

	Hydra-Matic 4T45-E
Type:	Hydra-Matic 4T45-E 4-speed automatic
Hybrid features:	auxiliary oil pump, specific electronic controls
Gear ratios (:1)
First:	2.95
Second:	1.62
Third:	1.00
Fourth:	0.68
Reverse:	2.14
Final drive ratio (:1):	3.63

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	independent, strut-type with coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear:	independent, trailing arm with three lateral locating links, anti-roll bar and coil springs
Traction control:	all-speed using engine torque reduction
Steering type:	electric-power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio:	17.8:1 on-center
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	3.46
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	38 / 11.6

Brakes

Type:	front / rear vented disc/drum with power assist and std ABS
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):	front: 11.7 x 1.0 / 296 x 26; rear: 9.8 x 1.7 / 250 x 45

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	6.5-in x 16-in machine cast aluminum
Tires:	P215/7016 ALS low rolling resistance

Dimensions

Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm):	106.6 / 2707
Overall length (in / mm):	181.3 / 4605
Overall width (in / mm):	71.6 / 1818
Overall height (in / mm):	65.3/1659
Track (in / mm):	front: 61.3 / 1557; rear: 61.2 / 1554
Minimum ground clearance (in / mm):	6.9/175
Step-in height (in / mm):	16.4/415.5
Approach angle (degrees):	17.3
Departure angle (degrees):	22.4
Curb weight (lb / kg):	3474 / 1576
Weight distribution (% front / rear):	59 / 41

Interior	Front	Rear
Seating capacity:	2	3
Headroom without sunroof (in / mm): Headroom with sunroof (in / mm):	40.6 / 1030 39.3 / 999	40.5 / 1028 40.2 / 1021
Legroom (in / mm):	41.3 / 1048	36.5 / 926
Shoulder room (in / mm):	54.7 / 1389	54.7 / 1389
Hip room (in / mm):	51.9 / 1317	52.6 / 1337

Capacities

EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L):	113 / 2871
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):	30.8 / 872
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):	1500 / 680
Maximum tongue weight (lb / kg):	350 / 113.5
Fuel tank (gal / L):	16.3 / 62.5
Engine oil (qt / L):	5 / 4.7
Cooling system (qt / L):	9 / 8.5