Saturn sprouts green for Vue hybrid's debut

Interesting how Saturn is portraying their "green image" of the Vue when the much maligned HiHy still beats its EPA score (8 vs. 6 in most of US, 9 vs 6 in CA and other states). I wonder how many people will be swayed to the Vue by things like the misinformation in this article like the person in the article who was thinking of a Prius.

Like john1701a always says, what are the emissions? It appears that a person would be just as good (or better) emissions wise with a regular Camry or regular Accord.

 

I don't know what is more stupid, E85 or this car.

 

hmm... why it is anything green gets released by the saturn devision? (ev1 anyone?) will they discontinue this one too eventually? better yet, is it a lease only option? lol just kidding.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Oct 28 2006, 07:28 PM) [snapback]340119[/snapback]</div>

Wow!

Thanks for the link. I hadn't realized that detail was available yet.

No wonder the Vue-Hybrid supporter here eluded the emission rating question everytime I asked. That technology can now be officially labeled as a sad excuse for a hybrid. It only delivers a LEV rating, which is absolutely horrible. Even a run-of-the-mill Corolla is cleaner!

Our SULEV and PZEV rated hybrids from Toyota & Lexus produce significantly less smog-related emission. How exactly is Saturn (GM) going to get away with calling their technology "green" with such a dirty rating?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Oct 28 2006, 06:34 PM) [snapback]340141[/snapback]</div>

remember compared to other SUV's the VUE green line is the cleanest you can buy without paying a big premium.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alric @ Oct 28 2006, 12:08 PM) [snapback]339928[/snapback]</div>

I think its a good car. I might not want to call it a hybrid and I know thats the focus of the marketing but the small premium and reasonable results make it worthwhile. With its federal tax credit the hyrid is almost a no cost option.

Comparing this and a Hybrid Highlander? Come on, the Highlander is $10,000 more or nearly 50% higher. And while I would rather have the Highlander its mpg is almost the same.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(philmcneal @ Oct 28 2006, 09:33 PM) [snapback]340157[/snapback]</div>

No, to be as objective as possible, you must compare hybrid to non-hybrid of the very same vehicle. And by looking at the models available, there most definitely is not a smog-related emission reduction from the hybrid technology. Both the manual & automatic transmissions using a similar size engine get the same LEV rating. And the non-hybrid automatic with a larger engine actually achieves the cleaner rating of ULEV.

The label of "green" is not appropriate. The EPA listed "Air Pollution Score" data simply do not support that claim.

 

Should they drop the green and just use hybrid-line in all their promotions? Its smog emmissions aren't any better, but it is an assist hybrid that does get better milage, and reduces carbon emissions.

Whatever the reason, there are going to be people who will choose a VUE or SUV over a Prius or sedan. And it is a good thing that they will have more options when it comes to affordable hybrids. If it is successful and GM follows through, it has the potential of greatly reducing the country's oil consumption.

 

Some improvement is better than none for sure, but the technology is out there to improve the emissions of the Vue to a lower level, yet GM won't include it.

Will it save some gas, yea, around 20%, but my fear is that the Vue will be the model for most if not all of GM's "hybrids" and thereby creating a whole other generation of cars by a major manufacturer that is not as clean as it could be and putting more pollution in the air than necessary.

The Highlander is significantly more expensive for sure, but it is a larger vehicle with the capability to seat 7. The HiHy can also tow up to 3500 lbs, not sure what the VUE is rated for (the V6 is also rated at 3500, so 170hp 4c would be less) and has optional 4wd for those that want it. A good portion of the higher price is also options unrelated to the hybrid system. I still think Toyota made a mistake by not offering the HiHy without all of the options and in a 4cyl model.