From the Clutches of the Grave: Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid rated at 27/30 mpg by EPA
Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
While perusing the EPA's fuel economy listings, one of our readers stumbled across a vehicle that we didn't even know had been rated. The 2-Mode Hybrid version of the Saturn Vue had initially been scheduled to go into production in November of 2008. However, as General Motors careened toward financial apocalypse, many product programs were put on hold or canceled altogether. Among those was the new hybrid Vue, which was delayed at least twice before finally being terminated altogether in late spring.
It appears that the EPA had already completed its testing regimen last fall and had officially rated the 2-Mode Vue at 27 city, 30 highway and 28 mpg combined. Compared to the existing mild-hybrid Vue, this doesn't look particularly great, since that one also had a 28 mpg combined rating (25 city and 32 highway). The mild hybrid, of course, used a four cylinder engine while the 2-Mode would have had the 3.6-liter V6, giving it much better performance and a 3,500 pound tow rating.
Saturn did pretty much hit its target of a 50-percent improvement in combined efficiency compared to the non-hybrid V6 Vue, which carries a 19 mpg combined rating. The Vue doesn't look as impressive as the Ford Escape Hybrid that's rated at 34/31 mpg, but the Ford is powered by a four cylinder and is smaller and lighter. A closer comparison might be the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which while larger is also V6 powered. The Toyota is rated at 27/25 mpg and 26 mpg combined.
We know that the Vue will never be built, but GM has promised to put the new hybrid system into other vehicles in its lineup – perhaps even with a smaller and more efficient engine to improve overall efficiency. Thanks to Mike for the tip!
[Source: EPA]
All Photos Copyright © 2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
inteller 10:08AM (8/28/2009)
yes but you only get those ratings if you add the hybrid stickers.
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henrykrinkle 10:15AM (8/28/2009)
Shouldn't the city mileage be more than on the highway like other real hybrids?
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Bob-omb 10:28AM (8/28/2009)
Yes, it should.
Gee, another hybrid from GM with disappointing numbers. Why are we even surprised?
Oh4Sh0 12:59PM (8/28/2009)
Really? disappointing? That's a 9mpg overall increase, which is pretty good. Considering the hybrid options from GM are generally low-cost, and they finally paired it with an engine worth having (a powerful 6cyl), looks good to me.
Jei 12:59PM (8/28/2009)
No. the 2-mode hybrid transmission was created so the heavier vehicles would see fuel consumption in both city & highway conditions (hence, the "2-mode" name). "Real" hybrids have much lower fuel ratings on the highway.
The purpose of this joint science project was to create an alternative transmission system that would (initially) allow the larger, heavier vehicles to get improved fuel consumption ratings in the usual conditions these vehicles were most used in. Additional tech add-ons like start-stop engine operation, multiple-displacement cylinder controls (See 5.7L Hemi, 5.3L LS4), etc would help to get better fuel ratings in stop & go conditions, but just using smaller, more fuel efficient engine has done well so far.
BMW and M-B has really just begun to use their versions of the 2-mode system (they it different names like EfficientDynamics and so forth) in their SUVs and they seem to be helping improve fuel consumption and performance.
I wouldn't count the 2-mode transmission out just yet.
Ian 10:22AM (8/28/2009)
I spoke with Saturn about this vehicle some time back and told them if they would build it I would buy it. Power, space and mileage this machine has it all and is American.
I just cannot believe the stupidity of the "new GM" in deciding over 24 hours that they would can this machine (even as a Buick). It's the future for GM. At this rate there is seriously no hope for the new GM as they appear only capable of making wrong decisions. Now I will likely have to by an import.....STUPID STUPID STUPID and STUPID. And GM if you listen to forums STUPID! Do I make myself clear?
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Danimal 11:12AM (8/28/2009)
Uhh, "...GM has promised to put the new hybrid system into other vehicles in its lineup."
It makes no sense further investing in Saturn and Buick was not the brand for this tech to be featured on. My guess is you'll see it on the Traverse, Equinox, and/or SRX. All of which will have close to, if not more "Power, space and mileage this machine has."
Patrick 12:41PM (8/28/2009)
HAVE to buy an import? Why is that? Honda/Toyota have a gun to your head?
Go look at a Ford. And if you must have Japanese, look at a Mazda.
Ian 1:07PM (8/28/2009)
Ford have no competitor in the size and power of the 3.6L dual hybrid GM machine. Neither does Mazda their CX7 and CX9s get lousy mileage compared to the GM.
KC 10:25AM (8/28/2009)
How is the Escape smaller then the Vue? They are very close in size
(metric) Vue Escape
Length (mm) 4 576 4 437
width (mm) 1 850 2 065
Height (mm) 1 704 1 720
Storage (L) 1 598 1 877
So the Escape is 139 mm shorter, but 215 mm wider and 16 mm taller, how does that make the Escape to much smaller then the Vue for a fair comparison?
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Jimbo 10:49AM (8/28/2009)
And also, since when is lighter a bad thing? This 2WD-only Vue 2-mode would have gotten get nearly identical fuel economy to the AWD Escape (27/29/28). Without offering a major fuel economy incentive over the Escape, there is no reason for buyers to pick this model. It was obsolete before it hit the market. People looking for a hybrid don't care much about towing capacity, even if it is a CUV.
And no AWD option = instant failure. Most people buy SUVs/CUVs BECAUSE of AWD, whether they actually need it or not.
Oh4Sh0 1:00PM (8/28/2009)
Are you guys idiots, or did you just missed that this has a much more powerful (and also heavy) V6? Imagine if they paired this hybrid system with the 4cyl equinox. That would kill the "hybrid escape" as the base mpg's on the 2010 4cyl equinox is already close to the escape.
Jimbo 4:04PM (8/28/2009)
No, we didn't miss a damn thing. This 2WD hybrid gets equal gas mileage to the AWD hybrid of a competitor. If they made it AWD, it would be even worse. Yes, it makes more power but people don't buy hybrids for power or towing ability. Just ask Honda how well that worked for the Accord Hybrid or Lexus about how well the GS450h is selling. People buy hybrids for fuel efficiency and the appearance of caring for the environment. And if someone wanted towing capability in a hybrid, they would look at the Highlander hybrid which would have been roughly the same price and offers equal power at just slightly less mpg but more room and standard AWD.
If GM would have stuck a DI 4-cylinder in there in the first place, this would return better mpg, be cheaper, and would likely be compact enough for an AWD option. Which do you think looks better in marketing, class-leading mpg at a similar power level or more power at a similar mpg level? Two years ago, the answer would have been the latter, but not any more. Plus GM would appear cutting edge with the first DI engine used in a hybrid. And the compactness of using a 4-cylinder would it easier to adapt to sedans like the Malibu and Cruze to spread the development costs. I doubt you could put this V6 hybrid package in those smaller engine bays.
Sam Abuelsamid 11:42AM (8/31/2009)
KC I don't know where you got your numbers the Vue and Escape have the following dimensions for the FWD 4 cylinder models
Vue Escape
Length 180.1 in. 174.7 in.
Width 72.8 in. 71.1 in.
Height 67 in. 67.9 in.
Weight 3689 lbs. 3355 lbs.
Wheel Base 106.6 in. 103.1 in.
compared these because the hybrid Vue weight is not available.
Jimbo 12:32PM (9/01/2009)
Sam: Other than the width, KC's numbers appear to be correct given the metric->English unit conversion and rounding. Your width for the Escape is the body width, which is less than the overall width because it does not include the width of the side mirrors. KC's values reflect the overall width for both vehicles (the overall width for the Escape can be found on the Ford website). The width both of you are quoting for the Vue is an overall width (which may be the same as the body width on the Vue since the fender flares appear to extend out further than the mirrors). Your numbers are correct, but his are more correct.
tbirdfive0 10:33AM (8/28/2009)
What GM needs to realize before they make a hybrid is that 99% of hybring buyers want something that sips fuel and gets awesome gas milage for what it is. They dont want want a v6 cute-ute with a large towing capacity or a $55,000 large SUV, or a $50,000 pickup truck.
If they sold this thing I can garuntee they would sell like the tahoe hybrid... I've seen one since they came out.
GM needs to make a 2-mode hybrind cute-ute with the 2.4L (is that what it is now?) ecotec, and a malibu with the same motor and market the hell out of it. Sell them both starting around $26,000 to undercut the Fusion and Escape.
The Volt will be waaaaay too expensive to make a difference.
GM, pull your corporate head out of your corporate ass.
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Art 10:37AM (8/28/2009)
dear gm,
stop overbadging your hybdrid suvs. we know they're SUVs, and get OK gas mileage. don't turn your customers to undesired ecohippies
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Aprime 10:41AM (8/28/2009)
...
27/30?
I know it comes with a V6, but seriously?
I'd rather see it being applied on a 4-cylinder Equinox or something (imagine the headlines and the positive advertising by the press this would get) - when you've got enough money to own a boat (or whatever you'd be towing with these), you usually have a second, smaller car.
But no, they'd rather have low-mileage hybrid cars that just scream 'GM isn't even bothering' to the general public, so they go to Toyota.
Sure, there's a market for hybrid-pullers; THERE'S A MARKET FOR ANY SPECIFIC NEED! That doesn't mean you should fulfill that need, even when so few people will buy into it. Yeah, I know some people like their cake and they enjoy eating it too, but those people aren't buying compact crossovers.
When you buy a hybrid, you buy a hybrid because you're concerned about your image (yeah, about the environment too) and fuel economy , and this is why Toyota dominates the segment, Ford is starting to pull ahead and GM looks like the retarded step child that sticks about 20 stickers and badges on each of their new hybrids so that they don't get keyed.
GM's got to impress people, not just match the competition (or come beneath it), and a 4-cylinder two-mode based CUV would do JUST that. [Sub]par products mean people don't lust over GM vehicles, they just want them at a rebate price.
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MM 10:58AM (8/28/2009)
Hybrid buyers only care about one thing... that the damn car they are driving looks like a Hybrid. If they cared about mileage or the amount of cargo capacity they would almost every time elect to buy the VW Jetta Wagon TDI.
Seriously, if it doesn't have the smug factor of the Prius or Insight then they wouldn't buy it in the first place.
The only real added advantage of taking an existing platform and making it Hybrid is the ability to put a smaller engine in for fuel economy and using an electric motor to boost its acceleration and allow the engine to start and stop in idling situations. This is ideal in large urban areas but most of this country drives where you don't find the true benefits of a Hybrid in the first place.
If Americans were smart, we'd all buy diesels!
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Ligor 12:23PM (8/28/2009)
disagree
some people don't like diesels and most want a realiable car
and the last time VW and reliability came in my head, is when the latter was preceeded with NOT