Offered only in front-wheel drive, the Saturn Vue Green Line is considered a "mild" hybrid because it operates on electric power for only a few seconds.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Web site, 10 more hybrids will launch by the end of 2008, all of them hybrid versions of existing models. If sales in July is any indication, there may not be enough offerings for new car buyers.
Hybrids Score Record Sales
With the reality that $3 or more for a gallon of gasoline is likely to stay around for awhile, consumers purchased 25,626 hybrids in July, 2006, according to Green Car Congress. That's the highest monthly sales figure ever since the first hybrid vehicle, the fuel-sipping Honda Insight, arrived in December, 1999. This represented 1.7 % of all new cars, SUVs, pickups and vans sold in the U.S. for the month.
Apparently, shoppers are shrugging off the stinging criticism about hybrid vehicles that made headlines earlier this year. Articles in newspapers, magazines and online publications pointed out that fuel mileage is considerably less than the EPA ratings on hybrid window stickers, and the increased cost of hybrids (about $3,500 to nearly $8,000 more than the gasoline engine equivalent) can take five to eight years to recoup, depending on fuel prices.
Hybrid vehicles use a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor(s) to achieve their higher gas mileage and lowered emissions. These hybrid systems are very complex high-tech wonders in design and operation, thus the increased cost.
Value and "Real-World" Fuel Economy
But General Motors' Saturn Division has approached the hybrid from a different point of view with the 2007 Vue Green Line sport-utility vehicle arriving at dealers this month.
The Saturn hybrid set up, called "belt alternator starter" (BAS) system, is an old idea made possible because of today's technology. Utilizing an electric motor/generator, it is simple in its design, and therefore is less costly than the complex systems of its competitors.
"Our approach was to engineer this system to get as much value as possible for the customer, and that includes real-world fuel economy," Larry Nitz, GM's executive director of global hybrid powertrains. "We believe we have achieved that."
Aware that consumers are leery about window sticker EPA fuel mileage numbers, the "real-world" fuel economy that Nitz referred to was validated by AMCI, a respected independent testing firm. Prior to EPA certification, two Vue Green Lines logged more than 3,000 test miles on a 70-mile combined city and highway route in Phoenix, AZ, achieving a combined average of 29.7 miles per gallon—a 20% improvement over the standard Vue's 25 mpg.
And the official EPA ratings? The government agency has validated the Vue Green Line's fuel economy at 27 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway with a combined fuel mileage of 29 mpg.
The 32 mpg highway fuel mileage is the best highway rating ever awarded to an SUV by the EPA. But city driving fuel economy is well below the Ford Escape Hybrid's 36 mpg.
However, the Green Line's sticker price of $22,995 including destination charges makes it the lowest-priced hybrid SUV, besting the Escape Hybrid by $3,245 and the Mariner Hybrid by $6,845.
Subtract the IRS tax credit of $650 from the $22,995, and the Green Line's price/value equation becomes even more appealing. What's under the hood?
Lifting the hood reveals a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine with variable-valve timing. Rated at 170 horsepower, it is a substantial increase from the 143 hp provided by the 2.2-liter engine in the conventional four-cylinder Vue.
Noticeable is the large combined electric-drive motor/alternator hanging on the side of the engine. Mounting it in the normal location of the alternator eliminated a costly redesign of the powertrain to fit the electric motor between the engine and transmission.
Not noticeable is a key component of the hybrid system, a GM patented accessory drive system. Appearing to be a standard belt and pulley connected to the motor generator, it features a dual tensioner that allows the electric motor to power the accessory drive, or receive power from the accessory drive.
Completing the hybrid system is an engine control module with hybrid specific software, power electronics with invertor and AC/DC converter, a 10-kilowatt Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) battery pack tucked away in the rear cargo area and a four-speed automatic transmission with an auxiliary oil pump.
Test-Driving the Vue Green Line
I first drove a pre-production Vue Green Line on the same AMCI test route in Phoenix and later at GM's Arizona proving grounds.
The Green Line exhibited the cues you would expect from a hybrid vehicle: the engine shuts off when the vehicle stops; the electric motor assists the gas engine when it starts up, and then provides initial go power when accelerating from a stop; fuel is turned off when decelerating; and regenerative braking that recharges the on-board Ni-MH battery pack.
Because the Green Line's hybrid system uses the electric motor only to quickly restart the gasoline engine after stopping and provide momentary acceleration assistance, it is considered a "mild" hybrid. It operates on electric power only for just a few seconds.
With "full" hybrid systems like on the Escape/Mariner twins and Toyota's Highlander Hybrid SUV, the vehicle can be powered by the electric motor only at speeds up to 30 mph in addition to the gas engine only, or both at the same time.
The action of accelerating from a stop in the Green Line is quite smooth. This can be attributed to the transmission's added oil pump. It keeps the automatic's forward clutch charged with oil so when the engine starts, you go.
Only when stomping the gas pedal to the floor was there momentary hesitation—something very few economy-minded drivers will do. When stopped on a hill, instead of rolling backwards because the engine is off, a hill-stop feature of the anti-lock brake system holds the vehicle until the engine is up and running.
Anytime additional power is needed, such as merging onto a freeway or passing, acceleration is quite frisky, courtesy of the electric motor's addition of 115 pound-feet of torque to the Ecotec four's 162.
The regenerative braking system is also impressive. Although there is not a lot of brake pedal feedback, the motion isn't mushy like these systems tend to be. And, a 50-mph panic stop at the proving grounds was calm and quick without drama.
In keeping with the customer value objective of the Green Line, a costly screen displaying the hybrid's functions was considered, then discarded. Instead, an analog needle gauge indicates if the system is charging the battery or providing electric power boost, and a green ECO (for economy) readout appears when fuel mileage exceeds EPA ratings. When coming to a stop, the tachometer needle moves to the "auto stop" position below zero rpm.
Since air conditioning affects fuel economy, the Vue Green Line has added a mode to the system. In addition to either on or off for the air conditioner, an "eco" mode maintains an appropriate interior comfort level and still allows the hybrid system to turn the engine off during stops.
Looks Like the Standard Vue
OK, so the hybrid system performed as Saturn said it would, but what about the Vue itself?
Saturn gave their only SUV model an extensive makeover for 2006 with notable exterior and interior changes. The trademark Saturn look with its subtle swoosh on the lower body sides has been traded for a more mainstream SUV look. Saturn devotees may mourn the change, but probably not for very long—the Vue is as well-styled as any sport utility.
What hasn't changed is Saturn's exclusive polymer (read plastic) body-side panels. Panned by some because of large body gaps, there's a lot to be said for the ding and dent resistance of the polymer material. In other words, the Green Line hybrid, except for the small hybrid badges on the fenders, looks like the standard model.
The Vue's redesigned interior is notable. Not only is the new look clean and contemporary, materials have a quality feel and appearance, and fit and finish have been significantly improved.
Underneath the newness is an automobile unibody type chassis with a fully independent front and rear suspension. This provides a comfortable ride and the electric steering system tracks well with no tendency toward wander or play. There is a bit of body roll, but the SUV feels grounded, stable.
With the exception of small hybrid badges on the front fenders, the Vue Green Line looks virtually identical to its non-hybrid twin. A keen eye might detect a revised rear spoiler but probably not the 25 mm lowered stance. The spoiler and lowered ride height changes were made to improve the vehicle's aerodynamics, adding to improved fuel economy.
Front-Wheel-Drive Only
There is one aspect of the Green Line that could take it off some buyers shopping list—it is front-wheel-drive only, all-wheel drive is not offered.
However, with front-wheel drive and standard traction control, it should confidently handle all but the worst winter storms.
Some people question why Saturn was chosen to introduce this inexpensive hybrid system rather than GM's volume brand, Chevrolet. The answer is very rational—the Vue is GM's best-selling small SUV. In 2005, Saturn sold 91,972 Vues, trailing only the Ford Escape and Honda's CR-V.
As for Chevrolet, the BAS hybrid system will be added to the Malibu next year along with the new Saturn Aura midsize sedan.
In creating a less expensive way to make hybrid vehicles, the Vue is a major step in taking the technology to an even broader car-buying audience. As long as gas prices remain at the current level, an inexpensive, efficient vehicle that's genuinely good seems like a good point of view.
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