Today a Saturn Vue hybrid, tomorrow a plug-in hybrid

A mid-sized hybrid SUV is just what the doctor ordered

GM officially launched the new dual mode Saturn Vue hybrid today at NAIAS. The Vue has become a gorgeous car over the years and is now Saturn's best seller. More important, it will soon come in a full hybrid option that will increase fuel economy by about 50 percent overall. In city driving - while GM won't confirm the final number - the Vue hybrid is expected to achieve better than 50 percent.

Of course, the Saturn Vue is about options. Don't want a hybrid, buy a conventional Vue. Want a hybrid, but you don't want to pay too much, buy the mild Vue hybrid. Want to save as much fuel as possible, buy the full Vue hybrid.

But the options don't end there.

Around 2010 GM hopes to start producing the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid, already being tested on the road today with lithium-ion batteries (not the same battery as the Volt), but more on this (including pictures) later. Ultimately, GM's plug-in program is far from dependent on the Volt, and that should be good news for the fans of plug-in hybrid vehicles.