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General Motors Looks for Green with Two New Hybrid SUVs

Can New Hybrid Slow GMs SUV Slide?

With fuel prices in a reprieve for what is only expected to be a short time before soaring again, GM unveiled two new hybrids that it hopes will reverse a trend that has the automaker experiencing steep declines in SUV sales - the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line and the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid, featuring the worlds first two-mode full hybrid system in an SUV.

"The Vue Green Line and the Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid SUVs will offer customers a choice of fuel-saving technologies

GM hopes its new Saturn Vue Green Line and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid will reverse a downward sales trend in large SUV sales. (Photo: General Motors)

depending on their driving habits and budgets," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing.

The Saturn Vue Green Line will not only make the environment a little greener but expects to leave

The Saturn Vue Green Line will not only make the environment a little greener but expects to leave a little more green in buyers wallets. (Photo: General Motors)

a little more green in buyers wallets. When it hits showrooms this summer, it is expected to be the lowest-cost hybrid-powered SUV on the market, which would place it somewhere below $26,900, which is the price of Fords Escape Hybrid, the only competitor that the hybrid Saturn will be up against in the compact SUV class.

GM also claims that its more affordable

The Vue Green Line will save up to 20 percent more gasoline than non-hybrid Vues, with an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. (Photo: General Motors)

hybrid system improves fuel economy up to an estimated 20 percent over non-hybrid Vues, with an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Comparatively, the Escape Hybrid achieves 36 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, a significant improvement over the Saturn Vue Green Line, especially in the city. Again for comparison purposes, two conventionally powered compact SUVs which are considered to be among the most fuel efficient, Hondas CR-V and Hyundais Tucson,

"As Saturn continues an aggressive product lineup expansion, a hybrid version of the popular Vue is a natural extension," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. (Photo: General Motors)

achieve 22 mpg in the city respectively, plus 29 mpg apiece on the highway, both featuring optional automatic transmissions, showing that the hybrid SUVs offer a noticeable difference in fuel economy.

The Vue Green Line uses sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L VVT four-cylinder engine and 4T45-E four-speed transmission. It is a simple and flexible hybrid design that allows increased fuel economy through engine shut-off at idle, fuel cut-off during deceleration, electric power assist during acceleration and the capability to capture electrical energy through regenerative braking. The Vortec V8-powered Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid is the worlds first two-mode full hybrid propulsion system in an SUV. (Photo: General Motors) />
"As Saturn continues an aggressive product lineup expansion, a hybrid version of the popular Vue is a natural extension," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. "The Vue Green Line strengthens our position as an environmentally aware brand that provides great value - an attribute that has always appealed to Saturn customers."

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