NAIAS 08: 2009 Saturn Vue Two-Mode

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NAIAS 08: 2009 Saturn Vue Two-Mode
www.gminsidenews.com

Short Take: One year after the launch of the all-new Saturn Vue GM is adding their Two-Mode Hybrid system to the small ute. This will be GM's first application of the front-wheel drive Two-Mode transmission and it will be mated to the 3.6L SIDI High-Feature V6. Power ratings and fuel economy number have not been announced, but the new green-mobile will go 0-60 in 7.3 seconds and tow 3,500 pounds. Production starts later this year.













DETROIT – The all-new 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode, the first front-wheel-drive compact SUV in the world powered by General Motors’ two-mode hybrid technology, is designed for customers who want the outstanding fuel savings of an advanced hybrid and the full power and towing capability of an SUV. The Vue Green Line 2 Mode was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show.


The Vue Green Line 2 Mode will deliver an estimated 50-percent fuel economy increase over the non-hybrid V-6 Vue. It also is expected to have a driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km).


In addition, the Vue Green Line 2 Mode’s 3.6L VVT V-6 engine with direct injection technology ensures there are no trade-offs between performance and fuel economy. Acceleration time from 0-60 is expected to be around 7.3 seconds, and the maximum towing load will be 3,500 pounds (1588 kg).
Production is slated to begin in late 2008.


“The Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode challenges the notion that a compact SUV can’t be both powerful and efficient,” said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn general manager. “Customers tell us they want a compact SUV that will respect the environment and save money at the gas pump, but they don’t want to give up performance and utility. We’ve responded with the Vue Green Line 2 Mode.”
The 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode sports the same European-inspired design language of the non-hybrid Vue, completely redesigned for the 2008 model year. Subtle exterior changes include “2 Mode” badging on the front doors and rear liftgate; and lightweight aluminum alloy wheels and low-rolling resistance tires that enhance fuel economy. The Vue Green Line 2 Mode’s appearance is further accented by chrome door handles, chrome dual exhaust tips and chrome skid plates on the front and rear lower fascia.


The Vue Green Line 2 Mode features technologies and refinements in the fuel and exhaust systems that classify it as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in the state of California and other states that have adopted California’s motor vehicle emissions rules. When it arrives in dealer showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2008, the Vue Green Line 2 Mode will be Saturn’s third hybrid, joining the Vue Green Line 4-cylinder hybrid SUV and the Aura Green Line sedan.


The Vue Green Line 2 Mode is GM’s first application of two-mode technology on a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The system is currently on the V-8-equipped Chevrolet Tahoe 2 Mode and GMC Yukon 2 Mode full-size SUVs, and becomes available in 2008 on the Cadillac Escalade 2 Mode luxury SUV and Chevrolet Silverado 2 Mode full-size pickup.


How the Vue Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid works

GM’s two-mode hybrid system in the Vue Green Line 2 Mode improves fuel economy by the following operations:

• Engine off at idle
• Low-speed, electric-only propulsion
• Cutting off fuel to the engine during vehicle deceleration
• Regenerative braking
• Energy-efficient accessory systems

Unlike single-mode hybrid technology found in competitors’ SUVs, the two-mode system maximizes city and highway fuel economy by integrating two electric continuously variable modes with four fixed mechanical gear ratios. The system consists of twin, active-cooled 55-kW electric motors integrated into the 2MT70 automatic transmission. Energy to power the motors comes from a 1.8 kWh, 300V nickel-metal hydride battery pack, which consists of 22 nickel metal hydride modules and is packaged behind the second-row seat below the cargo floor.


The transmission is mated to GM’s 3.6L V-6 VVT with direct injection technology. In the first mode, at low speed and light load, the Vue Green Line 2 Mode operates in one of three ways depending on conditions and battery charge level: all-electric power, internal combustion engine power or a combination of the two. All reverse operation is driven by the electric motors.


The second mode is used primarily at highway speeds to optimize fuel economy. It provides electric assist in addition to six-cylinder power when conditions demand it, such as trailer towing and climbing steep grades, and to allow the engine to run at its most efficient point under less-demanding conditions.


No engine speed changes are necessary for the mode shift to occur. The result is exceptionally smooth, seamless acceleration and responsiveness. At all times, the system’s Hybrid Optimizing System (HOS) collects torque-based data, deciphers it, then determines the most fuel-efficient means of propelling the Vue Green Line 2 Mode.


Direct injection V-6 boosts efficiency

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode’s standard engine is an advanced 3.6L V-6 VVT with direct injection, a member of GM’s family of high-feature V-6s. The direct injection engine uses regular unleaded fuel and represents one of the most sophisticated applications of its kind on a hybrid SUV.


Direct injection delivers fuel directly to the combustion chambers and permits a higher compression ratio, improving fuel efficiency. Additionally, the technology reduces cold-start hydrocarbon emissions by up to 25 percent.
The 3.6L VVT with direct injection also features a U.S. auto industry-first isolated fuel injector that greatly reduces the ticking noise associated with other direct injection engines. Other noise-reduction features include the use of acoustic foam in the engine valley and cover.


Specially tuned chassis for a smooth ride

Because the hybrid system changes the weight distribution on the Vue Green Line 2 Mode, special chassis refinements such as revised front and rear spring rates; revised front and rear stabilizer bar rates and recalibrated front struts and rear shock absorbers help ensure a smooth driving experience.


The Vue Green Line 2 Mode is equipped with a “fully blended” electro-hydraulic brake system that enables 100-percent regenerative braking (batteries are charged during braking), 100-percent friction braking (traditional four-wheel disc braking) or a combination of the two. During regenerative braking, the system converts kinetic energy to electrical power, then stores the power in the Energy Storage System.


A 12V rack-mounted Electric Power Steering system replaces a conventional column-mounted hydraulic system and saves fuel – gaining up to a half-mile per gallon of gas. It also gives the Vue Green Line 2 Mode more precise steering inputs and better overall on-center feel.


Intuitive displays keep drivers in the know

The Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode’s instrument panel lets drivers know that they’re behind the wheel of a sophisticated hybrid, yet with gauges that are easy to understand. An efficiency gauge replaces the tachometer, informing drivers of when they are achieving maximum fuel economy; whether the vehicle is in electric-only mode, engine-only mode or a combination of the two; and, because of the silent start as the key is turned, a telltale indicates when the vehicle is on and ready to drive.


In the center console, a full-color VGA power-flow graphic, which is integrated into an available navigation system, continuously informs the driver and passenger whether the vehicle is sending power to the wheels from the battery pack, engine or both. It also indicates when energy is being captured during braking.


Vue Green Line 2 Mode is generously equipped

In addition to its high-tech propulsion system, the Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode boasts a number of standard safety features including four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, rollover detection system, pedestrian impact protection, tire pressure monitoring system, Pedal Release System, front active head restraints, and six air bags (driver and front passenger frontal and seat-mounted side-impact, and roof rail curtains for both seating rows).


Other features include power-adjustable heated outside mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise controls; and a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary input jack. A navigation system and power sunroof are available.


Saturn’s hybrid family is growing

The Vue Green Line 2 Mode is the third hybrid to join the Saturn lineup. Other members of the Green Line family include the Vue (4-cylinder) Green Line and the Aura Green Line sedan. They are equipped with the affordable GM Hybrid system, which reduces fuel consumption using sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic four-speed transmission.


Want More?

High-Resolution Vue Two-Mode Photos
Saturn Flextreme Concept Information & Photos

[gmpwns]

For the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Saturn is introducing what will be the second of three hybrid variants of the Vue. This one uses the Two-Mode hybrid technology that was introduced in 2007 on the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Unlike the big GMT900 SUVs, the Vue has a transverse mounted engine and front wheel drive. That required designing a new transaxle that incorporates the same technology as the big trucks. Read on after the jump to learn more.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/01...2-mode-hybrid/

The bottom line is that the two-mode hybrid system allows the Vue to retain all the performance of the standard V-6 Vue including the 3,500lb towing capacity and 7.3 second 0-60 time. At the same time the fuel economy gets a 50 percent bump in urban driving and 30 percent overall. The Two-Mode Vue goes into production late in 2008.

[gmpwns]

VUE XE FWD is rated at 19/26... so the hybrid could bring roughly 29/34.

[jimmyisland]

i definitely want this one my next vehicle. But do hopefully the Chevy version come out asap so i can choose among them.

[BerettaZ]

Note from the press release that it will be the 3.6 with direct injection

[BerettaZ]

Originally Posted by gmpwns

VUE XE FWD is rated at 19/26... so the hybrid could bring roughly 29/34.

I believe the 50% increase is over the V-6 numbers, which would still put combined numbers around 30 MPG...

[gmpwns]

Originally Posted by BerettaZ

Note from the press release that it will be the 3.6 with direct injection

Guess I should have read the article before I posted that. Oh well its almost 1 AM.

[blkwrxsti]

Originally Posted by BerettaZ

I believe the 50% increase is over the V-6 numbers, which would still put combined numbers around 30 MPG...

I'm not sure if this is legit, but it's disappointing if it's true (it seems that the 50% improvement may only apply to the city ratings):

http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshow...de-hybrid.html

Page 2 of the story has all the sad news:

"...While it has not yet been certified by the EPA, GM expects its newest Vue to deliver up to 24 miles per gallon in the city, compared with the current front-wheel-drive V-6 model’s 16 mpg. To put that into perspective, a four-cylinder Saturn Aura achieves 22 mpg on the EPA city cycle.
GM also expects that highway mileage will match the current four-cylinder, non-hybrid FWD Vue at 26 mpg. All this is achieved with a powertrain that motivates the Green Line from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 7.3 seconds..."

It also mentions that the trucklet weighs 4300 lbs. I really do not care for this trend - I'm worried that the comparisons are from GM press release materials, and for some reason the two mode hybrids continue to be compared with 4-cylinder, non-hybrid vehicles.

On the plus side - the fact that the VUE uses the 3.6 DI and a transverse TMH trans should mean that this will find its way into the Lambdas more easily.

[CrunkedRL]

I'am too happy to hear it's getting DI. I wished this engine was offered on the RL version but I'll pick my battles carefully. The BAS Vue has an EPA of 25/32hwy, so I'm thinking the 2-mode will achieve a lil' less than that once the final numbers are tallied. With all of this hybridization of American entry level ute's from Ford and now GM I'm wondering why yota and Honda have not began implementation of these systems on their small CUVs.

[Buick61]

So...at first blush it sounds great.

But what if it does get worse mileage than the BAS VUE? Then what's the point? Much more money for some more power?

[plane]

This is a science project gone horribly wrong.
If GM cannot produce a hybrid capable of 40 mpg at a minimum, just stop.
You are wasting our time and inviting comparisons that will be far less than favorable.
Note to Rick - lose 600 pounds from the Vue and start from there.

This is absolutely the worst news I've heard today.

[eb110americana]

Originally Posted by Autoblog Green

...fuel economy gets a 50 percent bump in urban driving and 30 percent overall.

Regular FWD 3.6L V6 Vue XR = 16/23 mpg. (AWD would be 16/22 and RL would be 16/24.)

16 (150%) = 24mpg city

The XR gets an average of about 19.5mpg combined.

19.5 (130%) = 25.35 mpg combined for the 2 mode

so...

(24mpg + hwy)/2 = 25.35 mpg
24mpg + hwy = 50.7 mpg
hwy = 26.7 mpg

So the 2 mode should be about 24/26.7 mpg city/hwy and over 25 mpg combined.


On an interesting note, not only is this the first FWD, first transverse, first V6, and first unibody application of the 2 mode hybrid system, it's also a first for the HF V6:

-First use of AFM (previously DoD) in any multivalve/DOHC engine for GM.
-First use of AFM combined with with direct injection.
-First use of a direct injection V6 outside of Cadillac (this may not apply for Europe and their turbo V6s developed by Saab, I'm not sure).
-First claim by GM that their electric power steering is more precise than the hydraulic alternative.

[A.J.]

I have two gripes:

1. Why did they stick the 3.6L V6 in this thing? They could've easily gotten away with the 4-cylinder, and probably pulled out a lot more MPG.

2. Why did they put H-Y-B-R-I-D along the side? That's a useless decal, especially on the Tahoe/Yukon, who both already have three HYBRID badges and two H badges on them.

[jkennedy293]

Originally Posted by A.J.

I have two gripes:

1. Why did they stick the 3.6L V6 in this thing? They could've easily gotten away with the 4-cylinder, and probably pulled out a lot more MPG.

2. Why did they put H-Y-B-R-I-D along the side? That's a useless decal, especially on the Tahoe/Yukon, who both already have three HYBRID badges and two H badges on them.

1. Using the V6 allows the SUV to still be used in the manner it was designed. It appeals to those who still need/want the V6 power, which is probably the norm for this class, but still want/need the economy of a I4. Its a best of both worlds situation.

2. I think the H-Y-B-R-I-D logo on the side is just for the show. I don't believe these will be on the production vehicles.

[montrealvue]

Hopefully they will still leave the roof rails on it. Its ridiculous that the BAS Vue doesn't have them!