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Mar 19, 2007 09:52 AM
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Detroit, 3:38 PM
Tue Feb 9
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Kudos to GM for not only finally bringing a sedan to the market to compete with the Camry — the Aura won NorAm Car of the Year — but then for bringing a hybrid model to the market. Oh and probably some more green-love today for pricing it below any other hybrid you can buy today. They've just announced pricing on the mean-grean four-door machine, and it's got an out-the door MSRP of $22,695. On top of the steal-of-a-price, the IRS has just certified the Aura Green Line, with its 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway fuel economy rating, for the $1,300 hybrid tax credit. As far as availability, the Aura Green Line's now beginning to arrive at Saturn dealerships — and yes, that's a Saturn. Gallery below of PR shots of the Aura Green Line — now with big 800 and 1280 sizes! (Remember folks, now that we've got our own picture-pump, size really does matter!) Full press release below the jump.
Saturn Aura Green Line - the Lowest Priced Hybrid -Certified for $1,300 Tax CreditRelated:New hybrid starts at $22,695; receives official EPA ratings of 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway
Detroit — Saturn announced today that the new 2007 Aura Green Line hybrid's MSRP will start at $22,695 (including destination charge), making it the lowest-priced hybrid on the market for 2007.
In addition to its value-focused price, the Internal Revenue Service has certified that Aura Green Line buyers will qualify for a tax credit of $1,300.
"The Aura Green Line is a great value among the hybrids in the mid-size car segment," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. "With a starting sticker price over $2,000 less than any mid-sized hybrid sedan and a $1,300 tax credit, it makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before."
The Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway represents up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE model (depending on driving conditions).
The Aura is assembled at the General Motors Fairfax Plant in Kansas City , Kan. , and Green Line hybrid models are beginning to arrive at Saturn retail facilities.
The hybrid system in the Aura combines sophisticated controls with a precise electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4-liter engine. The system delivers fuel economy gains by providing electric power assist during acceleration, through early fuel cut-off during deceleration with torque smoothing and by shutting the engine off at idle. The system also captures electrical energy through regenerative braking. The vehicle's hybrid powertrain produces 164 horsepower (122 kW) at 6400 rpm and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5000 rpm.
Saturn's new hybrid sedan is based on the all-new Aura midsize sedan, which garnered the 2007 North American Car of the Year award. The Green Line features the same comprehensive safety package that earned Aura a full five stars in government frontal and side-impact crash tests, placing it among the safest vehicles available. (Visit safercar.gov for details.) Key standard features include dual-stage front, side head-curtain and front-seat thorax protection air bags; StabiliTrak electronic stability control; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS; and GM's OnStar safety and security system.
The Aura Green Line is one of four hybrids that Saturn has announced. The 2007 Vue Green Line, which debuted last summer using the same hybrid technology as the Aura Green Line, provides the highest EPA estimated highway fuel economy of any SUV at 32 mpg.
In 2008, Saturn will offer the Vue Green Line with the first front-wheel-drive application of GM's new, 2-mode hybrid system that is expected to deliver up to a 45-percent improvement in combined city and highway fuel economy compared with the non-hybrid Vue.
A plug-in hybrid that has the potential to achieve double the fuel efficiency of any current SUV, is also in development for the Vue. This hybrid SUV will use a modified version of GM's 2-mode hybrid system and plug-in technology. A Lithium-ion battery pack, when ready, along with highly efficient electronics and powerful electric motors, will achieve even greater increases in fuel economy.
Complete information on the Aura Green Line and the rest of Saturn's lineup can be found on the Web at www.saturn.com.
About Saturn:
General Motors' Saturn brand markets vehicles in the U.S. and Canada through a network of about 500 retailers, with a focus on providing innovative products with solid value and excellent customer service. In 2006, Saturn undertook a major revitalization of its portfolio with four new vehicles: the Sky roadster, the Aura midsize sedan, the Vue Green Line hybrid and the larger Outlook crossover. Saturn continues its aggressive growth plans in 2007, with the all-new 2008 Vue compact crossover (Spring 2007) and the new 2008 Astra small car (Fall 2007).
About General Motors:
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 284,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit , GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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