Saturn Vue in the Running for 2008 Truck of Year

[CrunkedRL]

I didn't see this news posted anywhere else so I hope it's not a duplicate but you read write the all new Saturn Vue is one of the contestants for the NA Truck of the Year award. Some others that are competeting for the same award are the Kia Ronda, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Toyota Tundra, among others...

Last year, the 49 journalists from the U.S. and Canada selected the Saturn Aura as 2007's best new car in North America (beating the all-new Toyota Camry in the final round). This winter the 2008 Saturn Vue will be a contender for the NA Truck of the Year award.

Yesterday the Detroit Free Press published the list of qualified vehicles that are in the running for 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year honors. "The three finalists in each category will be announced December 12th and the winners named January 13th at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit" wrote the newspaper.



more at link...http://www.saturnfans.com/Cars/VUE/2...008truck.shtml

[BusyBody]

OK - I'm confused. Isn't the Tundra an 07? I hope the Enclave and CTS sweep the awards this year.

[roberto57]

The Tundra didn't go into production until after the 2007 TOTY cut-off date.

I predict the CTS and Tahoe Hybrid or Enclave.

The Astra isn't on the list.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by roberto57

The Tundra didn't go into production until after the 2007 TOTY cut-off date.

I predict the CTS and Tahoe Hybrid or Enclave.

It HAS to be the Tahoe Hybrid. While the Tundra is the first 1/2 ton truck to market (sans the Sierra Denali) with a massively powerful DOHC V8 and 6-speed transmission, the Tahow Hybrid will be the first real full-size truck that can achive 20 mpg city, and that's using 2008 ratings!!!!

Which is more significant you ask?

Well, I would say that the 45% improvement in city driving fuel economy is more significant that a 6-speed transmission that does not improve the fuel economy of the truck by more then 1 mpg if that.

Fuel economy has to be one of the most important criteria in this segment, considering the rise in fuel costs.

[shabodah]

I really like the new Vue. That said, it is NOT A TRUCK. I very much think the FIRST REQUIREMENT for Truck of the year should be - Has a Frame. lol. Seriously, though, if the Tahoe Hybrid doesn't win, I want to know who paid off them off for whatever does.

[montrealvue]

Have they even sat in one? One of the most poorly designed driver's seat I have seen in a while. If it wins, it won't be for ergonomics.

[chakis24]

Originally Posted by shabodah

I really like the new Vue. That said, it is NOT A TRUCK. I very much think the FIRST REQUIREMENT for Truck of the year should be - Has a Frame. lol. Seriously, though, if the Tahoe Hybrid doesn't win, I want to know who paid off them off for whatever does.

yep. trucks are BOF, no exceptions. (except for the grand cherokee, it is trail rated)

on another note, where's the 3/4 or 1 ton silverado/sierra? they should be in the running as well, no?

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

Well, I would say that the 45% improvement in city driving fuel economy is more significant that a 6-speed transmission that does not improve the fuel economy of the truck by more then 1 mpg if that.

The truck gets 1 mpg better, but it's also substantially more powerful. If the Tundra had the same 270 horsepower as the old Tundra and got 1 mpg better, the 6 speed auto would be a joke. As it is, I'd say it's a big improvement.

But didn't the Sierra Denali and HD Sierra and Silverado beat the Tundra to market as six speed automatic gasoline pickups anyway?

Regardless, I agree that the Tahoe/Yukon hybrid deserves the win.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

The truck gets 1 mpg better, but it's also substantially more powerful. If the Tundra had the same 270 horsepower as the old Tundra and got 1 mpg better, the 6 speed auto would be a joke. As it is, I'd say it's a big improvement.

But didn't the Sierra Denali and HD Sierra and Silverado beat the Tundra to market as six speed automatic gasoline pickups anyway?

Regardless, I agree that the Tahoe/Yukon hybrid deserves the win.

I would tend to disagree because the old 270 hp 4.7 V8 in the new 5,000 lb Tundra would be a total dog, thus making it more inefficient.

I would argue that it's possible to increase FE by providing more power so that the engine does not have to work at full throttle all the time.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

I would tend to disagree because the old 270 hp 4.7 V8 in the new 5,000 lb Tundra would be a total dog, thus making it more inefficient.

I would argue that it's possible to increase FE by providing more power so that the engine does not have to work at full throttle all the time.

I agree in principal that more power can increase fuel economy by reducing engine load.

But 270 horsepower for a 5000 pound truck wasn't that unusual a few years back. The F-150 with the 4.6 and the Ram with the 4.7 are in that ballpark, right?