Saturn VUE
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| Saturn VUE | |
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| Manufacturer: | Saturn |
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| Production: | 2002–present |
| Assembly: | Spring Hill, Tennessee |
| Parent company: | General Motors |
| Class: | Mid-size crossover SUV |
| Body style: | 4-door wagon |
| Layout: | FF layout/four-wheel drive |
| Platform: | GM Theta platform |
| Engine: | 2.2 L L61 I4 3.0 L L81 V6 3.5 L L66 V6 2.4 L BAS hybrid |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic 5-speed Honda automatic 4-speed automatic 4-speed Hybrid automatic VTi CVT |
| Wheelbase: | 106.60 in. |
| Length: | 181.30 in. |
| Width: | 71.50 in. |
| Height: | 66.50 in. |
| Related: | Opel Antara Chevrolet Equinox Pontiac Torrent Suzuki XL-7 |
| Similar: | Honda CR-V Hyundai Santa Fe Toyota RAV4 |
The Saturn VUE is a mid-size crossover SUV from General Motors' Saturn marque. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform.
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[edit] 2002
The VUE was introduced for the 2002 model year and was designed by Saturn. It is manufactured at the Spring Hill Saturn plant. Its unibody platform is shared with the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and the European Opel Antara.
Four-cylinder VUEs use the Ecotec I4. The L81 V6 from the L-Series and 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic transmission were initially offered, but starting in 2004, all 6-cylinder VUEs were equipped with the 250 hp (186 kW) Honda-manufactured L66 engine and a Honda transmission. The four-cylinder VUE was available with the VTi continuously-variable transmission (CVT) until GM cancelled it for 2005.
The VUE received a facelift for the 2006 model year. Upgrades included a redesigned interior with higher-quality materials, a new bumper and grille, and some minor cosmetic pieces to the exterior. OnStar is now standard as well as cruise control and automatic headlights.
[edit] Red Line
Saturn introduced a special high-performance line of vehicles in 2004 under the name, "Red Line". The VUE Red Line includes the 250 hp (186 kW) L66 V6 and sportier suspension tuning for performance. 18 in alloy wheels, ground-effect front bumpers, chrome exhaust tips, special black leather and suede seats, footwell lighting, and a special gauge cluster complete the visual updates. It also includes some special interior features as well, like a built in pencil sharpener and a better audio system.
[edit] Green Line
The high-performance VUE Red Line will be joined for 2007 (in summer 2006) by an environmentally-oriented Green Line model. The VUE is a mild hybrid, or may be classified as an assist hybrid, using what GM calls a "belt alternator starter" (BAS) system. A large electric motor is connected to the crankshaft via a special accessory drive belt, with a modified automatic transmission fitted.
It automatically stops the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt and instantly restarts it when the vehicle must move again. Not to be confused as just a "start-stop" system, the electric motor will also assist somewhat in acceleration, though not to the extent that Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system does. A Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery located under the load floor powers the electric motor, as well as collects and stores regenerative braking energy. The NiMH also provides some electric assist to the engine during steady driving, further improving fuel economy. The regenerative charging and electric motor assist functions are shown to the driver via an analog gauge on the dash board, and real-time fuel-economy feedback is accomplished via an "eco" light that glows when the instantaneous fuel economy is beating the window sticker fuel economy values.
The fuel savings are 20%, up from the base vehicle's 22/27 mpg city/highway sticker to 27/32 mpg, the highest highway fuel economy of any SUV. The Green Line has a 170 hp 0.4 L Ecotec dual cam-phaser engine which replaces the standard 2.2L 144 hp engine, resulting in the improvement of 0-60 mph acceleration time by 1.0 seconds.
The Green Line version is expected to cost about US$2,000 more than a similarly-equipped VUE, and debuted in production form on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show. The Green Line went on sale in Fall of 2006.
[edit] 2008
The VUE will be redesigned for the 2008 model year. Production was rumored to move to Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, where the HHR is produced. Recently, it was reported that this would not be the case, with the next-generation VUE being built at an undisclosed U.S. plant instead.
It is likely that the next generation Saturn VUE will be almost identical to the Opel Antara as GM seeks to closer align the two brands.
[edit] References
- Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid Delivers Great Fuel Economy Through New, Lower-Cost Hybrid System. General Motors press release. Retrieved on January 9, 2006.
- New VUE to be Built in U.S.. SaturnFans.com. Retrieved on November 12, 2006.
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| Compact | S-series | S-series | ION | Astra | ||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | L-series | Aura | ||||||||||||||||||
| Compact SUV | VUE | |||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Outlook | |||||||||||||||||||
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