Could the Saturn Vue beat the Prius to lithium?
Will the Vue hybrid be GM's next dual mode hybrid?At this year's LA Auto Show, GM focused on its hybrid vehicles and the Chevy Volt. New technologies are the future, GM seemed to say, and this is how we're heading into the future, with hybrids today and the Volt and fuel cell vehicles tomorrow.
A year earlier at the same LA Auto Show, GM had created some buzz by announcing plans for a Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yet, at this year's show, there was no word on the Saturn Vue hybrid, which seems odd. If the Chevy Volt is going to launch in 2010, it seems obvious that the Vue plug-in hybrid, ideally, would have to launch before the Volt.
So, is 2009 the year of the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid? Read more.....
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, saturn vue hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
10:01 AM
3 Comments:
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At this year's LA Auto Show, GM focused on its hybrid vehicles and the Chevy Volt. New technologies are the future, GM seemed to say, and this is how we're heading into the future, with hybrids today and the Volt and fuel cell vehicles tomorrow.
A year earlier at the same LA Auto Show, GM had created some buzz by announcing plans for a Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yet, at this year's show, there was no word on the Saturn Vue hybrid, which seems odd. If the Chevy Volt is going to launch in 2010, it seems obvious that the Vue plug-in hybrid, ideally, would have to launch before the Volt.
So, is 2009 the year of the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid?
I have no idea, but even if the plug-in version doesn't work out, I'd very much be interested in a dual mode Vue hybrid, which GM has hinted at as a possibility for 2008, probably as a 2009 model.
I would love to see how the dual mode Vue would match up against the Ford Escape hybrid for example. Since these two hybrid SUVs would have quite different hybrid powertrains, but similar body sizes, they would provide a great opportunity for hybrid technology comparison.
Furthermore, considering the new CAFE standards, it might be more important than ever for GM to start integrating its dual mode hybrid powertrain into smaller vehicles, especially smaller SUVs and trucks.
Of course, if GM could start selling a plug-in version of the Saturn Vue in 2009, that would be nothing less than a major coupe for GM's hybrid program.
It would be nice to see these cars actually produced as orignially scheduled.
Unfortunately, the Volt has now been delayed until 2011. So by your logic the Vue plug in wouldn't have to happen until 2010. On the other hand, no word on the Vue plug in might also mean no Vue plug in. :(
The 2010 date is just an estimate and the real launch date is still open-ended. It's even possible the car will never be built.
Nonetheless, Bob Lutz told me at the LA Auto Show that GM would surprise the critics and that the Volt would be in production by 2010, and I think that date is achievable.
Still, even if plug-ins take longer than expected, I'd still very much like to see a dual mode Vue hybrid as soon as possible.
Even if the Volt launches in 2010, production is almost certainly going to be limited, I'd bet, as battery providers scale up production capabilities. Thus, vehicles such as a dual mode Vue could be very relevant over the next several years.
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