Could
the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid beat the Prius to lithium?
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Will
the Vue hybrid be GM's next dual mode hybrid?
At this year's LA Auto Show, GM focused on its hybrid
vehicles and the Chevy
Volt. New technologies are the future, GM seemed to
say, and this is how we're heading into the future, with
hybrids today and the Volt and fuel cell vehicles
tomorrow.
A year earlier at the same LA Auto Show, GM had created
some buzz by announcing plans for a Saturn Vue plug-in
hybrid vehicle. Yet, at this year's show, there was no
word on the Saturn
Vue hybrid, which seems odd. If the Chevy Volt is
going to launch in 2010, it seems obvious that the Vue
plug-in hybrid, ideally, would have to launch before the
Volt.
So, is 2009 the year of the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid?
I have no idea, but even if the plug-in version doesn't
work out, I'd very much be interested in a dual mode Vue
hybrid, which GM has hinted at as a possibility for 2008,
probably as a 2009 model.
I would love to see how the dual mode Vue would match up
against the Ford
Escape hybrid for example. Since these two hybrid SUVs
would have quite different hybrid powertrains, but similar
body sizes, they would provide a great opportunity for
hybrid technology comparison.
Furthermore, considering the new CAFE standards, it might
be more important than ever for GM to start integrating
its dual mode hybrid powertrain into smaller vehicles,
especially smaller SUVs and trucks.
Of course, if GM could start selling a plug-in version of
the Saturn Vue in 2009, that would be nothing less than a
major coupe for GM's hybrid program.
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It would be nice to see these cars actually produced as orignially scheduled.
Unfortunately, the Volt has now been delayed until 2011. So by your logic the Vue plug in wouldn't have to happen until 2010. On the other hand, no word on the Vue plug in might also mean no Vue plug in. :(
The 2010 date is just an estimate and the real launch date is still open-ended. It's even possible the car will never be built.
Nonetheless, Bob Lutz told me at the LA Auto Show that GM would surprise the critics and that the Volt would be in production by 2010, and I think that date is achievable.
Still, even if plug-ins take longer than expected, I'd still very much like to see a dual mode Vue hybrid as soon as possible.
Even if the Volt launches in 2010, production is almost certainly going to be limited, I'd bet, as battery providers scale up production capabilities. Thus, vehicles such as a dual mode Vue could be very relevant over the next several years.