Skip to main content

ads1

Saturn Vue Green Line Plug-in Hybrid SUV May Begin Production in 2010

Expected to be First Commercially Available, OEM-produced Plug-in Hybrid

2008-01-14, DETROIT - Saturn announced today at the North American International Auto Show that production may begin as soon as 2010 on a plug-in hybrid electric version of the Saturn Vue Green Line, expected to be the first regular production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Depending on a consumer's drive cycle, the Vue plug-in hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle offered by a major automaker.

Saturn Vue Green Line Plug-in HybridSaturn Vue Green Line Plug-in Hybrid

This Vue Green Line will use a modified version of GM's two-mode hybrid system and plug-in technology, a lithium-ion battery pack, highly efficient electronics and powerful electric motors to achieve significant increases in fuel economy. When the lithium-ion batteries are fully charged, the Vue plug-in hybrid will potentially double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV. After electric-only propulsion depletes the lithium-ion energy storage system to a specified level, the battery is replenished by utilizing the two-mode hybrid system's electric motors and regenerative brake systems.

"We announced late in 2006 that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle was a top priority, and the fact that we're now announcing production timing to bring the industry's first plug-in to market, while tackling many technology hurdles along the way, demonstrates our commitment to diversifying from petroleum and reducing emissions," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak.

In early testing, the Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds. At higher speeds or when conditions demand it, such as brisk acceleration, a combination of engine and electric power or engine power-only drives the vehicle.

The vehicle's lithium-ion batteries can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. The connection port on the vehicle will be integrated into the front fender. By recharging rather than refueling, the Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid reduces petroleum consumption.

A plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle differs from a non-plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle by offering extended electric-only propulsion, additional battery capacity and the ability to be recharged from an external electrical outlet.

The two-mode hybrid system to be introduced on the 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode will be altered for use with plug-in technology. In addition to plug-in capabilities and the modified two-mode hybrid system, the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid SUV's powertrain will feature two interior permanent magnet motors within the two-mode transmission and GM's 3.6L V-6 VVT gasoline engine with direct injection. The lithium-ion energy storage system will be replenished by utilizing the two-mode hybrid system's electric motors and regenerative braking systems.

The Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in maintains two driving modes - one for city driving, the other for highway driving - and four fixed mechanical gears to maximize efficiency while maintaining performance. In addition, special controls will be utilized to enable higher speeds during electric-only propulsion and maintain electric-only propulsion for longer periods of time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Next NSXext revealed at Detroit show

Honda’s next supercar will not be mid-engined if this show-stealing concept coupe is anything to go by, writes Dave Moore. To get cut-through among the dozen-plus concept coupes on display at Detroit last week, you really did have to come up with something special. It seemed that just about everybody had something close-coupled and muscular on display, but Honda’s US luxury arm, Acura, managed to attract most attention with what it messily labels its Advanced Sports Car Concept , or ASCC for short. While Honda will not confirm that the ASCC is a replacement for the much- loved but slow-selling NSX , it has put on record that the front-engined show car marks a preview of the design direction for that car’s successor. It is expected that the Tokyo Motor Show in October this year will mark the production debut of the actual NSX replacement. The concept is designed to incorporate a powerful front- mounted, V-10 engine and a new high-performance, rear- wheel-drive based version of the H
2 comments
Read more

2007 Alpine Imprint RLS Demo Car based on Mercedes-Benz R500

Making Its Mark: The IMPRINT RLS The birth of the IMPRINT RLS marks the beginning of a new sonic era. While the exterior flaunts a sleek, elegant, one-of-a-kind style, the interior also houses the core Alpine IMPRINT sound technology – making its mark as the absolute show-stopping vehicle for 2007. The IMPRINT RLS by birthright started off as a Mercedes Benz R500 , and was slowly morphed into a car that transcends all laws of space and time. This futuristic concept-like car was brought to life by Alpine’s Advanced Application R&D team, Steve Brown, Gary Bell, Brent Davison with the help of Alpine Canada’s Glen Swackhamer and Rino Odorico. Breathing life into the RLS required a complete dismantling, relocating, building, and reinforcing experiment. Extreme modifications include gas and brake pedal relocation to allow the car to be driven from either front seat. To continue Alpine tradition of unconventional door and seat combinations, the IMPRINT RLS features a unique rotating assem
Post a Comment
Read more

The Dangerous Ten

Jeremy Clarkson selected the ten most exciting/fastest cars he has ever thrown around a track... 10: Noble M12 GT0-3R 170mph "In a world obsessed with image, you can’t beat a Porsche. But in a world obsessed with time, a Porsche is a library. A TVR is the internet. And the Noble is broadband" 9: Aston Martin V8 Vantage 175mph. £51,500. "Thanks to heavy steering, heavy brakes and a heavy six-speed manual gearbox, they’ve made the syllabub-light body feel like a meat pie. The 911 is for nancy boy racing drivers. The Aston’s for gentleman thugs" 8: Chevrolet Corvette C6 180mph. £52,595. "This car has a head-up display, just like you get in an F-16 fighter. It’s fantastic. Whole bus queues are hidden behind the digital speed read-out, which is going to make for some wonderful insurance claims" 7: Vauxhall Monaro VXR 185mph. £36,995. "Think of it as an Aussie from the outback. Maybe he can’t quote Shakespeare. Maybe he’s never heard of Terence Conran.
5 comments
Read more