<![CDATA[Jalopnik: saturn vue plug-in hybrid]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: saturn vue plug-in hybrid]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/saturnvuepluginhybrid http://jalopnik.com/tag/saturnvuepluginhybrid <![CDATA[Saturn Vue Plug-In Hybrid On The Way]]> Larry Nitz, General Motors' executive director for hybrid powertrains, speaking yesterday at the Plug-In 2008 Conference in San Jose, confirmed that the company is developing a plug-in hybrid Saturn Vue. The announcement comes as GM looks for ways to disseminate Chevy Volt-like technology through its other products. They're not telling when the plug-in Vue will be ready, but in the meantime, Saturn will launch a FWD two-mode hybrid Vue next year, and GM is also thought to be developing a plug-in hybrid based on the Saturn Flextreme concept.

Jalopnik Snap Judgement: Blah. We guess GM needs to do this to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy Requirements and to give consumers an easy way to be "green." But really, is building a simple, lightweight car that gets decent economy really that hard? Heck, stick a two-mode hybrid in it if you have to, just don't try to tell us that SUVs can be economical. Someday, consumers are going to wake up to all this hypocrisy, GM better hope they're ready for the backlash.
[via Motor Authority]

]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=399201&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: Saturn Vue Plug-In Hybrid]]>
In a mere two years Saturn will make its Vue Plug-In Hybrid available for masses. Wait for it, wait for it, yes, this hybrid will plug into the standard 110V household electrical outlet and connect to the car at the front fender, utilizing an adapted two-mode hybrid system from GM. The battery will fully recharge in four to five hours. In addition to the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the Plug-In Hybrid will also feature GM's 3.6-liter V6 VVT engine. Even though it does contain a V6 engine, the Plug-In Hybrid will be capable of electric-only propulsion of 10 miles or so at low speeds according to the early testing. I would hate to see what this would do to household electronics. I have problems running the toaster and the dryer at the same time and who knows what would happen if a car was plugged into the mix.

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