The Saturn Vue HYbrid

Posted on 30. Mar, 2009 by Mark Coleman in Hybrid Cars

General Motors launched their green line with the Saturn Vue Hybrid aiming to cover wider sectors of the market by setting a lower price. According to the manufacturer, the model makes the best economical hybrid car in its category. One of the specificities of this motor is the way it receives gasoline: the fuel is sent directly to the engine by means of a motor-generator that makes a great substitute to the traditional alternator. The distinction between the Saturn Vue Hybrid and other full hybrids is that the vehicle can’t get autonomous by using electrical power only. The dual-mode hybrid power device is planned for full launching at the end of this year, with market availability in 2009.

Another future project that General Motors envisage on the basis of their Saturn Vue Hybrid is the plug-in hybrid, but the making of such a prototype is closely connected with the availability of the lithium-ion batteries. Presently, a car running on this type of batteries is in the test phase, while the Saturn Vue Hybrid remains to enjoy its market success. Negative reviews claim that this hybrid model is just a scheme on the part of General Motors to promote an appearance of concern for the environment; yet, not even the ill-intended can deny this car its clear advantages.

Saturn Vue Hybrid uses a “belt alternator starter” according to General Motors, in a system that relies on a large electric motor that is linked to the crankshaft by means of a special drive belt, all being possible thanks to an improved automatic transmission. Without using the “start-stop”system Saturn Vue Hybrid has an engine that starts and stops automatically thus influencing the acceleration force significantly. Like with all the other hybrid models, Saturn Vue Hybrid recharges the electrical battery by recovering the braking energy and storing it.

At a comparison with the traditional gas-fueled vehicles, the Saturn Vue Hybrid reduces around 20% of the regular fuel consume. Several models of the Saturn Vue Hybrid have been advertised with an increasing improvement in terms of acceleration times and standard speed per hour from one model to another. A careful analysis of the technical features of the designs together with the fuel consume and the gains you’ve got from the hybrid function should be conclusive for any purchase. If you can wait a little further, and you are not pressed to buy a car right away, you could stay until the new Saturn Vue Hybrid with plug in design is launched in 2009.

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