Saturn Vue Green Line

The current Saturn Vue Green Line uses a version of hybrid technology, known as stop-start, which shuts down the gasoline engine at idle. That mild hybrid technology produces a fuel economy improvement of about 25 percent over its conventional counterparts. Not bad. But the next Saturn Vue Green Line—the “two-mode” hybrid version scheduled to begin production in late 2008—promises a 45 to 50 percent bump in fuel efficiency. That’s huge.

The front-wheel drive Saturn Vue Two-Mode hybrid is expected to get about 30 miles per gallon combined, and as much as 36 miles per gallon on the highway. These fuel economy figures, which are not final or official yet, will catapult the Saturn Vue to the top of the charts for SUV mileage.

Just like the milder version, the two-mode hybrid system allows the Vue Green Line avoids wasting fuel during stop and go city driving. But the two-mode can also maintain the gas-free electric mode at low speeds—and mitigate fuel use during sudden bursts of acceleration.

The Saturn Vue Two-Mode Hybrid will help General Motors to earn a reputation as an automaker that’s serious about creating environment-friendly vehicles. At the same time, the Green Line delivers more than adequate performance. It’s powered by a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, equipped with direct injection and variable valve timing to optimize the use of fuel. The powertrain is very similar to the one found in the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon Hybrids.

In terms of styling, General Motors has looked to Opel, its German manufacturing counterpart, to help invigorate the look and feel of the Saturn brand. That’s evident in the Saturn Vue, which took on the image of Opel’s Antara giving the crossover SUV a European flair.