Saturn Drops Honda V6 in Next-Gen Vue

Did you know that Honda builds the Saturn Vue's top-tier 3.5-liter V6 andfive-speed automatic transmission? Purchasing components from competitive automakers is hardly anything new, especially for GM and its many partners. Honda's engine and transmission gave Saturn an import-beating powertrain at a time when the only GM V6 capable of taking it to the Asians and Europeans was exclusive to Cadillac, but now the Northstar-derived 3.6-liter six and six-speed automatic gearbox combination has been made available for other brands within the General's umbrella, and it's well up to the task of delivering world quality performance and refinement in a market segment that gets more competitive with each passing year.

“It was a great engine for us,” said Saturn spokesman Mike Morrisey to Automotive News. “It

The new V6 will be joined by a regular inline-four, a mid-grade V6, and the Green Line hybrid. (Photo: Saturn)

played a big part of the Vue's continued success as it went through its lifecycle.”

The new 3.6 develops a maximum of 257-horsepower, which is more than the outgoing Honda V6, while its additional forward gear should help it deliver stronger performance while reducing fuel consumption.

Additionally, base 2008 Vues will get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 169-horsepower, an improvement over the 2007 model's 2.2-liter unit that only makes 143-horsepower. Another engine will bridge the gap, GM's stalwart 3.5-liter pushrod V6, good for 222-horsepower plus better

The new VUE will get a touch of upper class from its globally-developed 3.6-liter V6. (Photo: Saturn)

than average reliabilityand fuel economy. GM has also confirmed an updated dual-mode hybrid Vue for later this year, and to follow, a plug-in hybrid.

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