The Truth About Cars

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

GM got serious about its hybrid game for the 2007 model year, when the Saturn Vue Green Line hit showrooms. Fuel economy for this car was rated at 26 mpg city, 34 highway ; the Ecotec-only version with 6-speed automatic (there was also an available 4-speed automatic) got 22 mpg city, 33 highway.

Malibu Hybrid 62

Malibu Hybrid 2009 Chevrolet Hybrid 62

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2010

A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) project, funded by GM, found that an ultracapacitor-based energy storage system (ESS) in a Saturn VUE BAS (belt alternator starter) mild hybrid performed at least as well or better than the NiMH battery system in the production hybrid. Source: Gonder et al. Click to enlarge. Pesaran, A.;

NiMH 299

NiMH Energy Storage VUE Saturn 299

Green Car Congress

MAY 5, 2009

Prototype Saturn Vue PHEV plugging in to a Coulomb Chargepoint ( earlier post ) in San Jose, CA. Click to enlarge. In a post on GM’s FastLane blog, Vice Chairman Tom Stephens said that the company will apply plug-in hybrid technology to one of the four core brands remaining after the restructuring: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.

VUE 150

VUE Plug-in GM 2011 150

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2009

GM has simplified the two-mode hybrid system for application in front-wheel drive vehicles—the Saturn VUE being the first instance ( earlier post )—while retaining its functionality and capability, according to Mark Selogie, Senior Manager Power Electronics, GM Powertrain, speaking at the SAE Hybrid Symposium in San Diego (11-12 Feb).

VUE 150

VUE GM San Diego Hybrid 150

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 30, 2017

In addition to advancing the performance of the fuel cell system, GM and Honda are working together to reduce the cost of development and manufacturing through economies of scale and common sourcing. —Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain“.

Honda 150

Honda GM Michigan Manufacturer 150

Green Car Congress

JUNE 13, 2009

The competition challenges university engineering students across North America to re-engineer a 2009 Saturn VUE to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions while retaining the vehicle’s performance and consumer appeal. liter engine and fueled by E85 ethanol. The Ohio State’s design was powered by a 1.8-liter

Ohio 150

Ohio Universal 2009 Design 150

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 30, 2009

The morning session started out with an hour long press conference, the highlight being the unveiling of the Volt’s 230 mpg preliminary EPA city fuel economy finding ( earlier post ), as well as a tour showing selected elements from the studios of the four GM North American brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac.

GM 262

GM Buick Fuel Economy Economy 262