Test Drive: 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line

Hybrid vehicles have been attracting a lot of attention in the last couple of years, with Toyota, Honda, Ford and Lexus producing hybrids. Now GM is introducing their first real hybrid light duty vehicle and it is powered differently than anything else on the road. It comes from Saturn and is called the Vue Green Line.

The 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line is a "mild" hybrid. It uses a special generator/motor unit instead of the conventional alternator bolted onto the engine and it assists the engine's crankshaft through a wider serpentine drive belt on the front of the engine. GM calls it a BAS system (Belt/Alternator/Starter).

The BAS hybrid system also adds an electronic controller, 36-volt battery pack under the rear cargo floor and gauges for the driver. It is a compact system that looks like it could be easily added to any vehicle with minimal changes to the existing vehicle. In fact, look for the system to be offered on the 2008 Chevy Malibu too.

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