With the Saturn Vue Hybrid, General Motors started a green line that aimed first and foremost at being accessible. As they claim, the model makes the best fuel-saving hybrid car in its category. An engine distinguishing feature is the fuel gasoline feeding with a generator used instead of an alternator to send gas to the engine. The difference between the Saturn Vue Hybrid and other full hybrids is that the vehicle can’t work autonomously by using electricity only. The power device in the hybrid dual-mode is not available just yet, and will be present with the car dealers in 2009.
Another future project that General Motors envisage on the basis of their Saturn Vue Hybrids is the plug-in hybrid, but the design of such a model is closely connected with the availability of the lithium-ion batteries. At present, a car running on this type of batteries is in the test phase, while the Saturn Vue Hybrid remains to take full advantage of 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. The engine starts and stops automatically, but not in a “start-stop” system, with the electric power contributing to the acceleration force as well. Like with all the other hybrid designs, Saturn Vue Hybrid recharges the electrical battery by regenerating the braking energy and storing it.
If compared to the regular gas-fueled vehicles, the Saturn Vue Hybrid saves you around 20% of the regular fuel consume. Several models of the Saturn Vue Hybrid have been launched with a growing 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 are willing to wait a little further, and you are not pressed to buy a car right away, you could wait until the new Saturn Vue Hybrid with plug in features is launched in 2009.
