Autoblog

Saturn drops Green Line name from hybrids

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Saturn

The Saturn Green Line is no longer. In its stead, the planetary brand's hybrid models will simply be known as hybrids. We think this is a good idea considering that the word 'hybrid' is much more readily associated with saving gas than the Green Line moniker. According to Mike Morrissey, a Saturn spokesman, "It was simply a practical matter. As we expand our hybrid lineup, the names were getting a bit long. It's hard to write a short sentence about the Saturn Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid." Amen to that. Though the Green Line name will disappear, the performance version of Saturn's models will retain their Red Line badges.

Saturn's current ~~green~~ line of hybrids includes two models, the Aura and the Vue, both equipped with the so-called "mild hybrid" system that is not capable of moving the vehicle under electric power alone. Next year, a version of the Vue utility vehicle will be offered with a system derived from what is currently available in the Tahoe and Yukon full-sizers known as the 2-Mode. That model will be a full hybrid and should return much better mileage than the current Vue hybrid, which is rated at 25 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Saturn drops Green Line name from hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line

Alex Nunez — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Budget, Sedan, Green, Saturn

Click image for photo gallery

We recently spent a week with Saturn's latest addition to the stable, the Aura Green Line, which afforded us the opportunity to size it up relative to its Aura XR sibling that we tested last year. The Aura XR was impressive, with attractive styling, some real pop underhood courtesy of the 3.6L V6, and a nicely-rounded, comfortable driving experience. A lot of he same basic good stuff carries forward to the Aura Green Line. Autoblog's Aura Hybrid also looked pretty sharp and comported itself well overall. Follow the jump for a brief rundown of some of our observations of the Green Line compared to the XR, and keep an eye on AutoblogGreen in the coming days, as our colleague, Sam Abuelsamid, will be posting a complete full-length review of the car.

Gallery: 2007 Saturn Aura Geen Line

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Auto Show: Aura toeing the Green Line

John Neff — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Green, Saturn

UPDATE: Gallery of live shots added after jump

After being on sale for a year, the Saturn Aura is getting its green wings. The Aura Green Line is the first of four hybrids that General Motors will release in 2007, another of which includes the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line. Like that vehicle, the Aura Green Line features a mild hybrid system that, while not boosting MPGs as high as a Toyota Prius, manages to keep the premium for being green lower than a traditional hybrid. The vehicle's base price, in fact, will begin below $23,000. Saturn designers also chose to keep the Aura Green Line's styling low key, with the only indication you're driving a green machine being the "Hybrid" badge on the back and the assist/charge gauge on the dash.

Follow the jump for more info and pics of the Aura Green Line, as well as GM's full press release.

Continue reading LA Auto Show: Aura toeing the Green Line

LA Auto Show: Aura toeing the Green Line originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Green Means Go: Saturn Aura Green Line production begins this week

Alex Nunez — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 07:51:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Saturn

A union rep for UAW Local 31 told the Kansas City Star that GM's Fairfax, Kansas plant, where the Saturn Aura and Chevy Malibu are constructed, will add the new Aura Green Line to the mix sometime this week. Five of the hybrid Auras will be produced per week and be used for road testing prior to the car going into full production in early 2007. It doesn't end there, either, as the facility's plant manager also told The Star that once the Aura Green Line is introduced in the spring, attention will turn to the planned Chevy Malibu Hybrid that will also be built at Fairfax.

The Aura Green Line will use a "light hybrid" system like the one used in the Vue Green Line. Light hybrids use smaller batteries than full hybrids and are unable to drive on electric power alone. The gasoline engine will still shut down when coasting, braking and stopping, and generally offer a 10 to 15 percent boost in fuel economy over cars without the system. The other benefit is evident on the wiondow sticker, as the light hybrid system is less costly than a full hybrid.

It's going to be interesting to see how the Aura Green Line does in the marketplace. The Aura, which yours truly just spent a week with, is good-looking, comfortable and very capable. Assuming that the Green Line will continue to do the good things well, while offering enhanced fuel economy (and the hybrid cool/feel-good factor), it should find takers at Saturn stores. We're looking forward to eventually getting our hands on one.

Related items:

AutoblogGreen: Wired NextFest Report: GM's green portfolio. Sequel, Hy-wire, Graphyte and more
AutoblogGreen: Kansas plant will start making Saturn Aura Green Line hybrids this week

[Source: Kansas City Star via AutoblogGreen]

Green Means Go: Saturn Aura Green Line production begins this week originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Oct 2006 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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