08 VUE Green Line MPG released - 25/32 - GreenHybrid

empowah · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 01:54 PM

Like with the '07s, they're making a big deal that it's the most fuel-efficient SUV on the highway, and that it's the most affordable hybrid SUV.

All things considered, it's the second most fuel-efficient SUV combined (city/hwy).

City/Hwy/Combined
'08 Escapinerbute Hybrid - 34/30/32
'08 VUE Green Line - 25/32/28
'08 Highlander Hybrid - 27/25/26
'07 VUE Green Line - 23/29/26 (estimated into '08 figures)
'08 RX400h - 27/24/25
'08 HHR - 22/30/25
'08 Compatriot - 23/27/24
'08 Rogue - 22/27/24
'08 RAV4 - 21/27/24
'08 CR-V - 20/27/23
(all 2WD auto models)*

*except for Highlander

Quote:

Saturn will announce later today that the all-new 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid will have a fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon (MPG) in city and 32 MPG on the highway – the best highway mileage of any sport utility vehicle.

Saturn also announced that the Vue Green Line will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $24,795 (including destination charge), making it the most affordable hybrid SUV on the market. "You can go green without going broke," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak, "and with the Vue Green Line, you also don't have to give up utility, safety or comfort."

High Mileage, Long Range

In combined city and highway driving, the Vue hybrid's fuel economy estimate is 27 percent better than the non-hybrid four-cylinder Vue. The fuel economy estimates are calculated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, using the government's new 2008 testing procedure that was revised to better reflect real-world mileage.

The hybrid Vue's 28 MPG combined city/highway rating gives the Saturn line-up a compact utility with significantly better fuel economy than the Honda CRV (22 MPG) or Toyota RAV-4 (23 MPG). The Vue Green Line also provides SUV capability with better fuel economy than that of popular sedans, such as the Toyota Camry (25 MPG) and Honda Accord (24 MPG).

The Vue Green Line's highway fuel economy will allow the vehicle to travel up to 585 highway miles on one tank of gasoline, farther than any competitor's SUV. That is enough range to travel roundtrip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, from Washington, D.C. to New York City or from Detroit to Chicago. Potential one-way single-tank trips include Atlanta to St. Louis, Denver to Salt Lake City and Milwaukee to Kansas City.

Hybrid Technology, Features

The Vue Green Line's hybrid system combines sophisticated controls with a precise electric motor/generator mated to the 2.4-liter, 172-horsepower, four-cylinder engine and a modified automatic transmission. The system delivers fuel economy gains through advanced engine control algorithms including early fuel cut-off during deceleration, optimized transmission shift controls and by smoothly stopping the engine at idle. The system also features regenerative braking to capture electrical energy during braking, electric power assist during acceleration, low-rolling resistance tires and improved aerodynamics.

Several displays provide the driver with information regarding the Vue's hybrid system operation, including:

Charge/assist gauge - Indicates when the hybrid system is providing propulsion assist or when the hybrid battery is being re-charged.

Eco light - Illuminates when the vehicle is meeting or exceeding the federal government’s fuel economy rating.

Auto stop position on tachometer - Indicates when the engine shuts off at idle.

Driver information center – provides instantaneous and average fuel economy information, in addition to other important vehicle data.

In addition to the hybrid system, standard features on the Vue Green Line include 17-inch polished alloy wheels, rear spoiler, painted fascias and single-zone automatic climate control.

All Vues, including the 2008 Green Line, feature a comprehensive array of standard safety equipment that includes six air bags, active front head restraints, a pedal release system for the accelerator and brake, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with trailer sway control, antilock brakes, tire pressure monitors and OnStar.

Quiet, responsive ride and handling comes from front and rear stabilizer bars, MacPherson strut independent front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension, along with a double-isolated engine cradle.

The non-hybrid 4-cylinder 2008 Vue XE has a suggested retail price of $21,395 and a fuel economy rating of 19 city/26 highway.

In 2008, Saturn will introduce a 2-mode hybrid Vue, which will increase fuel economy by an estimated 45 percent over the comparable non-hybrid model. Saturn also has committed to producing a plug-in hybrid Vue that will get approximately twice the fuel economy of any SUV currently on the market.

Source: Saturn

Now they need this version of BAS on the Cobalt and HHR, both of which are lighter by at least 800 lbs.

Pravus Prime · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empowah

'08 Escapinerbute Hybrid

LOL!

That's pretty good!

empowah · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pravus Prime

LOL!

That's pretty good!

I made an error with the list, btw. I said the economy ratings were all for 2WD auto models, but the Highlander Hybrid is in fact AWD-only. I'll add an asterisk.

AshenGrey · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 07:25 AM

Considering just how small the BAS system is (32v/5HP) it really is surprising how much it boosts fuel economy. I wonder what it could do for a small car like an Aevo or a Cobalt?

gpsman1 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 11:40 AM

My take is, most of the gas savings are from zero idle at stoplights, traffic jams, drive-up windows, etc, and very little MPG is from EV driving.

Having a battery just large enough to run all the accessories for 5 minutes with engine off at stops, and then start the engine would do wonders for any car.

I still LOVE driving in EV though!

-John