NAIAS 08: Saturn Vue Plug-In Hybrid

[nsap]

NAIAS 08: Saturn Vue Plug-In Hybrid
www.gminsidenews.com








DETROIT –Saturn announced today at the North American International Auto Show that production will 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.


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.

[camaro chris]

That is pretty cool. I'm not a huge hybrid person because of all the extra costs and such but this seems pretty good.

[FenwickHockey65]

Do we know the estimated increase in fuel economy yet??

[nsap]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Do we know the estimated increase in fuel economy yet??

100% increase over the Two-Mode Vue.

[atomicshark]

This is fantastic news!

2010 is right around the corner.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by nsap

100% increase over the Two-Mode Vue.

Are you kidding me?? That's like...50 mpg city!

[Joevette]

this is going to sell like hotcakes when it comes out

[GMGMGM]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Are you kidding me?? That's like...50 mpg city!

The "effective" mpg will depend on how often you can recharge.
In fact, it will be possible to make short trips (~10 miles ) and recharge the battery without consuming a drop of gas!
Really cool: many people use their cars largely for short trips.
Then, most of the times the engine is cold and the effective mpg is low and the pollution is high.
So this car is the triple win!

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by GMGMGM

The "effective" mpg will depend on how often you can recharge.
In fact, it will be possible to make short trips (~10 miles ) and recharging without consuming a drop of gas!
Really cool: many people use their cars largely for short trips.
Then, most of the times the engine is cold and the effective mpg is low and the pollution is high.
So this car is the triple win!

So assuming you plug it in and recharge every night, it's possible to get somewhere near to 64 mpg highway.
is all I have to say.

[eaton53]

Finally.... an actual use for the ubiquitous fender vent!

[Joevette]

why even buy the standard 2-mode vue if this is going to come out? and how about putting this on the trucks as well

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by Joevette

why even buy the standard 2-mode vue if this is going to come out? and how about putting this on the trucks as well

You need a Lithium-Ion battery, which isn't available yet.
I expect them all to get it eventually.

[HEVguy]

Originally Posted by nsap

NAIAS 08: Saturn Vue Plug-In Hybrid
www.gminsidenews.com

DETROIT –Saturn announced today at the North American International Auto Show that production will 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.


...the Vue plug-in hybrid will potentially double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV.

This is cool technology, I wonder what the price will be.

However, to be clear, they said (1) it MAY be in production AS SOON AS 2010. I hope they deliver, considering Toyota's 2010 plug-in announcement. I'd like for GM to get a first in this area. (2) Also, the fuel economy POTENTIALLY DOUBLES the mpg of any current SUV. Hopefully that includes the Escape Hybrid,... which would mean up to 70mpg. However, if not, then it will be in the <60mpg range, which is still awesome, just not quite as impressive as 70mpg.

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by HEVguy

This is cool technology, I wonder what the price will be.

However, to be clear, they said (1) it MAY be in production AS SOON AS 2010. I hope they deliver, considering Toyota's 2010 plug-in announcement. I'd like for GM to get a first in this area. (2) Also, the fuel economy POTENTIALLY DOUBLES the mpg of any current SUV. Hopefully that includes the Escape Hybrid,... which would mean up to 70mpg. However, if not, then it will be in the <60mpg range, which is still awesome, just not quite as impressive as 70mpg.

Go back and read my post on that Toyota announcement.
They're not offering you or me anything plug-in in 2010.

[zete]

This just can't come out soon enough. Although, to be honest, 2010 isn't that far away either.

This also has me thinking. How is the US government going to calculate mpg if cars like this get 10-20 miles on a charge? Are they going to prorate it dependent upon the average number of miles people drive? As Lutz pointed out last year, most people in North America drive less than 40 miles a day. Having a plug-in Vue would mean up to half of those miles would be electric resulting in much better mpg.

I can see the US testers going nuts trying to figure this one out.