2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid will be true 2-mode hybrid
UPDATE: Saturn will initially offer the new Vue Green Line with the current model's mild hybrid drivetrain, then offer both that drivetrain and the new FWD two-mode system together. See AutoblogGreen's coverage with more info here.
Here's some news we weren't expecting. The 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid will sport the first front-wheel drive version of the company's two-mode hybrid system first seen on the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. The full hybrid drivetrain should return a 45-percent improvement in fuel economy over a non-hybrid Vue. That's a big bump over the 25-percent improvement in fuel economy that GM's claiming for vehicles saddled with its mild hybrid drivetrain, like the current Vue Green Line and upcoming 2008 Aura Green Line. The main difference between the two types of hybrid drivetrains is that the two-mode system allows for electric-only propulsion at low speeds while the mild system's battery backs can only assist the gas engine.
The Saturn Vue Green Line's transmission also sounds like a piece of trick hardware, with two electric continously variable modes and four fixed mechanical gear ratios. While details are scarce and we left our engineering degree back home, that tranny appears to be a combination of a CVT and traditional four-speed that's split between the electric drive and power provided by the gas engine, which is GM's own 3.6-liter VVT V6. Perhaps we're reading the press release wrong, but it's light on verbage and exposition so that's all we have to go on.
It's a very smart move by General Motors to upgrade the Vue Green Line to true hybrid status, especially considering that an even more frugal Vue Green Line Plug-In Hybrid is now being developed. While most shoppers aren't aware of the intricate differences between a mild and full hybrid setup, the cache that comes with running a full hybrid drivetrain has weight and the improvement in mileage can't be denied. The fact this is the first front-wheel drive application of GM's two-mode hybrid system means we should see it start being used in other passenger cars in the near future, as well.
Check out the full press release for yourself after the jump.
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE:
Front-Wheel-Drive, 2-Mode Hybrid System Debuts in 2008
Saturn Hybrid SUV Expected to Offer Up To 45-Percent Fuel Economy Improvement
LOS ANGELES – General Motors Corp. will expand the industry's most diverse portfolio of hybrid technologies in 2008 with the debut of its front-wheel-drive, 2-mode hybrid system in the Saturn Vue Green Line SUV, the automaker announced at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.
By using this sophisticated hybrid technology, the Vue Green Line 2-mode Hybrid is expected to deliver up to a 45-percent improvement in combined city and highway fuel economy compared with the non-hybrid Vue, based on current federal test procedures.
"We are delivering on our promise to continue our steady rollout of additional hybrid applications, each offering different levels of affordability, fuel savings and performance," said Tom Stephens, GM group vice president, GM Powertrain. "This will be the auto industry's first front-wheel-drive vehicle to use a 2-mode hybrid system, which improves fuel economy while maintaining performance and capability."
The Vue Green Line 2-mode Hybrid SUV will be powered by GM's 3.6L V-6 gas engine, with direct injection and variable valve timing, a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and two active cooled permanent magnet motors.
The front-wheel-drive, 2-mode hybrid system optimizes city and highway fuel efficiency by integrating two electric continuously variable modes with four fixed mechanical gear ratios.
This design is similar to the 2-mode hybrid system for rear-wheel-drive applications, which will debut next year in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size SUVs.
The 2-mode hybrid system improves fuel economy by the following operations:
- Engine off at idle
- Low speed electric-only propulsion
- Electric boosting during brisk acceleration, climbing steep grades or towing
- Cutting off fuel to the engine during vehicle deceleration
- Regenerative braking
- Engine speed and load control
- "The 2-mode hybrid system has the flexibility to improve fuel efficiency across a range of vehicles," Stephens said. "For example, in 2003, we introduced the 2-mode hybrid system for transit buses. In 2007, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon 2-mode full-size SUVs will debut, followed by the Vue Green Line 2-mode in 2008."
By using two electric modes and four fixed gear ratios, the 2-mode hybrid system's electric motors are smaller, compared with traditional "one-mode" hybrid systems, and impose no significant limitation on the size of the engine.
Consequently, the 2-mode hybrid system fits into the same space as a conventional automatic transmission, minimizing packaging, cost and weight issues. The result is exciting performance and outstanding fuel economy.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Len G. 4:03PM (5/15/2008)
Stopped by a Saturn dealer to put a deposit on a 2 mode Vue. They wouldn't take the deposit because they don't when or if any will be made.
"May not make any in 2008!"
Try to do the right thing and you can't. By the way, no Ford Escape/Mariner/Mazda hybrids available either. When will we see 2 mode Vue?
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Tool 1:28PM (11/29/2006)
A 45% improvement in fuel economy? That is a game changer.
Congrats GM!
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Michael Karesh 1:08PM (11/29/2006)
It's only a smart move if the price is reasonable. Remains to be seen.
There are far more differences than just being capable of electric-only operation. A heavy SUV isn't going to spend much time in electric-only mode unless the battery pack is huge. I made an attempt at understanding the dual-mode system here:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showpost.php?p=622428&postcount=4
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asurroca 9:25PM (11/29/2006)
Current Saturn Vue V6 (automatic) gets 19/25 mpg. That would put the Vue Green Line at roughly 27/36 mpg. Not bad at all!
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sp 3:37PM (11/29/2006)
right, where are the mpg numbers? Only FWD? No Electric only at higher speeds?
Sounds like 1998 hybrid to me, not 2008...
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Evotec 12:43AM (11/30/2006)
i hope its going to be reliable...
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Jason McCabe 6:47PM (11/29/2006)
I wouldn't buy a saturn if it had 400 horsepower, Zero emissions and sill cost $17,000. A fugly car is a fugly car, not to mention they are one of the few cars on the road less reliable than a Hyundai.
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Ian 9:43PM (11/29/2006)
So ONLY 4 speeds on the regular autoslush box?
I am guessing that the bottom 2 gears are the elctric modes so the car really has 6 speeds. Or am I guessing wrong?
Also only FWD?
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Fabulo 7:00PM (11/29/2006)
There's a Tahoe hybrid? Or is that a future model (like 2010?)
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Whydrive 10:22PM (11/29/2006)
Yeah it's totally 1998 cuz we all know Prius can go 60mph just on the battery.
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amp 1:43PM (11/30/2006)
Here's the best write-up I've seen on the new two-mode hybrid thus far.
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_3088/article.html
You have to pay to see the whole article, or just look at Google's cache, the AutoSpeed guys aren't to web savvy. Or try this link (not sure if it'll work)
http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:DEGua-XA23EJ:www.autospeed.com/cms/A_3088/article.html
Search for 'autospeed two mode hybrid site:autospeed.com' in Google and click on the cache link for the first result.
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mike 10:44PM (12/02/2006)
the two-mode has 4 conventional speeds, but is actually a cvt. meaning that there are unlimited gears. and yes, in mid to late 2007 there will also be a two-mode tahoe hybrid. the silverados will also be getting this drivetrain. i thnk this is a really good setup- its versatile and can fit into almost any vehicle that gm makes. and 45% mpg gains means my pickup will be getting more than your almost anything.
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pedmac 11:08PM (5/14/2007)
Hi Great article .. do you know if the Battery Pack will be supplied By Cobasys , as they where the supplier for the mild hybrid pack?
tks
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Harris 9:51PM (5/17/2007)
I love my 2007 vue hybird. All auots should be set up to shut off at the stop lights. This would cut air polution by at least 20% and help global warming
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Arlen Flanagan 2:52PM (8/16/2007)
I hope they also make it a Flex Fuel 2 mode hybrid.
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