Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Saturn
Saturn Aura Green Line becomes lowest priced hybrid
The folks at Saturn have finally slapped a sticker on their 2007 Aura Green Line, and at $22,695 (with destination fee) it undercuts the price of every other hybrid on the market. If that wasn't enough incentive to woo would be fuel misers into the dealership, the Green Line also qualifies for the $1,300 federal tax credit.
As a refresher, the hybrid setup in the Aura combines a 2.4L engine to an electric motor/generator to produce 164 HP and 159 lb.-ft. of torque while returning current EPA mileage figures of 28 city/35 highway. The 30-percent increase in mileage over the base Aura is achieved by both shutting off the engine at idle and cutting fuel delivery during deceleration. The Aura GL is considered a "mild" hybrid since the electric motor doesn't move the vehicle on its own or assist the IC engine in acceleration at any time.
You can check Saturn's website for more information or read the press release after the jump.
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE
Saturn Aura Green Line - the Lowest Priced Hybrid -Certified for $1,300 Tax Credit
New hybrid starts at $22,695; receives official EPA ratings of 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway
Detroit -- Saturn announced today that the new 2007 Aura Green Line hybrid's MSRP will start at $22,695 (including destination charge), making it the lowest-priced hybrid on the market for 2007.
In addition to its value-focused price, the Internal Revenue Service has certified that Aura Green Line buyers will qualify for a tax credit of $1,300.
"The Aura Green Line is a great value among the hybrids in the mid-size car segment," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. "With a starting sticker price over $2,000 less than any mid-sized hybrid sedan and a $1,300 tax credit, it makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before."
The Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway represents up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE model (depending on driving conditions).
The Aura is assembled at the General Motors Fairfax Plant in Kansas City , Kan. , and Green Line hybrid models are beginning to arrive at Saturn retail facilities.
The hybrid system in the Aura combines sophisticated controls with a precise electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4-liter 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 hybrid powertrain produces 164 horsepower (122 kW) at 6400 rpm and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5000 rpm.
Saturn's new hybrid sedan is based on the all-new Aura midsize sedan, which garnered the 2007 North American Car of the Year award. The Green Line features the same comprehensive safety package that earned Aura a full five stars in government frontal and side-impact crash tests, placing it among the safest vehicles available. (Visit safercar.gov for details.) Key standard features include dual-stage front, side head-curtain and front-seat thorax protection air bags; StabiliTrak electronic stability control; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS; and GM's OnStar safety and security system.
The Aura Green Line is one of four hybrids that Saturn has announced. The 2007 Vue Green Line, which debuted last summer using the same hybrid technology as the Aura Green Line, provides the highest EPA estimated highway fuel economy of any SUV at 32 mpg.
In 2008, Saturn will offer the Vue Green Line with the first front-wheel-drive application of GM's new, 2-mode hybrid system that is expected to deliver up to a 45-percent improvement in combined city and highway fuel economy compared with the non-hybrid Vue.
A plug-in hybrid that has the potential to achieve double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV, is also in development for the Vue. This hybrid SUV will use a modified version of GM's 2-mode hybrid system and plug-in technology. A Lithium-ion battery pack, when ready, along with highly efficient electronics and powerful electric motors, will achieve even greater increases in fuel economy.
Complete information on the Aura Green Line and the rest of Saturn's lineup can be found on the Web at www.saturn.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Phil 2:41PM (3/19/2007)
Not bad as far as everything goes. But to REALLY BREAK America's TOYOTA/HONDA HABIT, you'll need a non-hybrid that'll post such mileage numbers!
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Michael Karesh 2:44PM (3/19/2007)
I've had pricing for the Aura in my database for a few weeks now. But the amount of the tax credit is news. I've been assuming $650. Will have to update that.
I also have the Altima Hybrid in my pricing database, though that car is only available in a few states.
For pricing and price comparisons:
http://www.truedelta.com/prices.php
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djSyndrome 2:45PM (3/19/2007)
So they undercut the Prius - a vehicle that gets much better mileage and can run at low speeds without the engine - by a hundred bucks. Amazing!
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Max 2:46PM (3/19/2007)
I think this car has the right recipe for success. It may not be as fuel efficient as the Camry or Accord, but its $4-10k less expensive. Plus its larger and more practical than the Prius or Civic Hybrids.
I think a diesel option would have been better, but I can't blame GM for using something from the parts bin.
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Dave T. 2:48PM (3/19/2007)
ahem..yes MK i believe a few of us have had the prices for awhile now...Jalopnik didn't notice either ;)
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Carlos 2:52PM (3/19/2007)
Great news, it should be a big success.
However, there's one thing that bothers me. I think GM will only save itself if it stops offering LESS for LESS. There's more profit to be made (at smaller volumes) and a better reputation to be earned by offering MORE for MORE. Try being the best, for once.
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Bob-o 3:02PM (3/19/2007)
"...and cutting fuel delivery during deceleration."
P.S. All cars cut fuel on deceleration.
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MTBooks 3:04PM (3/19/2007)
I was a little unclear on the distinction of "mild" hybrids. This didn't help.
Autoblog: "The Aura GL is considered a "mild" hybrid since the electric motor doesn't move the vehicle on its own or assist the IC engine in acceleration at any time."
Press Release: "The system delivers fuel economy gains by providing electric power assist during acceleration..."
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MikeW 3:09PM (3/19/2007)
So when does Saturn get the 2.4 & 6t40 like the Malibu?
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Ian 3:09PM (3/19/2007)
Can somebody explain to me how much more fuel is cut off in "deceration" than merely lifting ones foot off the gas pedal? Is this a shell game?
This appears to be the only "improvement" on the car re Highway driving. Or is there something else?
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KazO 3:12PM (3/19/2007)
I suppose from a marketing standpoint GM will get more mileage out of this being a 'hybrid,' but isn't most of the "up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE model" simply from the fact that the non-hybrid XE has a 6-pot motor whereas this has a 4?
Considering that the (presumably identical) 2.4l Ecotec in a G6 is EPA'd at 23/34 (and a touch more HP and torque), and a good part of the extra city mileage probably comes from stoplight shutoff, what has GM actually accomplished, really? Are they making more money from this than from a theoretical non-hybrid 4-banger Aura sold for less money?
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gearhead748 3:19PM (3/19/2007)
OK..... so what's my incentive here? I can get a 4 cyl Accord that gets 34 highway, makes more hp, and costs less.
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Howard Kerr 3:21PM (3/19/2007)
Ya gotta hand it to GM, they never seem to tire of underestimating the gullibility of the buying public.
Instead of offering a 4 cylinder engine, with it's concommitant fuel savings, they "produce" a mild hybrid for all those ECO-Freaks that want to be considered as green. THEN, they trumpet the fact that this is the cheapest hybrid you can buy. It will be interesting to see how many folks buy into this ....lunacy?
Oh well, at least it's a very attractive looking hybrid.
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Calguy 3:33PM (3/19/2007)
I rented a Prius for about two weeks last year. It was replacing my big Saab 9-5 wagon while it was in the body shop and the Prius handled 90% of what the Saab could. Drove like a snore, but the mileage and functional elements of the Prius are amazing. The Aura, while normal, is certainly much less practical than a Prius.
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yacoub 3:37PM (3/19/2007)
Hmm looks like you're wrong. Civic Hybrid comes out cheaper both invoice and final after rebate.
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Chris 3:40PM (3/19/2007)
Wow, my 99 Accord V6 also shuts off fuel during deceleration. Big deal.
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Wraith 3:48PM (3/19/2007)
A new 2.5L Altima with CVT is rated at 26/34, and has a few more hp... Just under $21k with the CVT. And 4-cyl Malibus and G6s are even less expensive, with a tad lower mpg ratings (24/34?).
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iQuack 3:55PM (3/19/2007)
Still not enough advantage in buying a hybrid considering its cost vs the cost of any mid-sized sedan with a 4 cylinder engine.
I still think hybrids are pablum for greenies who want to feel good about themselves more than anything else.
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Lithous 3:59PM (3/19/2007)
"Considering that the (presumably identical) 2.4l Ecotec in a G6 is EPA'd at 23/34 (and a touch more HP and torque), and a good part of the extra city mileage probably comes from stoplight shutoff,"
That is the point of this mild hybrid. No running on battery alone so the city gain is from the fuel shutoff. I don't think they state otherwise.
"what has GM actually accomplished, really? Are they making more money from this than from a theoretical non-hybrid 4-banger Aura sold for less money?"
If you drive in the city 5 mpg (if actually achieved) is a decent gain.
Bottom line is this tecnology is probably 2002 Civic hybrid-like technology. This is because GM and others resisted hybrid development in autos trying to spend more on hydrogen (liquid and fuel cell) and possibly E-85. They are definitely playing catch up in small to mid-size car hybrid systems but will be placed just fine in larger vehicle (full mode) hybrid systems (Tahoe and soon VUE). Then when the two mode system is placed in cars they will be close in technology to anything forseeable. Toyota is moving in the direction of GM (with their full hybrid) in getting their electric motor smaller last I heard. As GM's can be placed in the transmission from what I have read.
Of course Toyota wants to keep their top spot in hybrids so they are a moving target but I think the 10+ years "ahead" Toyota was with the 1997 (Japan only) Prius will not be near 10 years "ahead" very soon IMO. We'll have to see.
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Lithous 4:03PM (3/19/2007)
BTW, my mention of the 5 mpg city gain over the (non-existent, theoretical) 4 cylinder Aura is based on the G6 numbers mentioned above by another autoblogger.
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