More pics here.
From GM... .
Saturn Aura Green Line - the Lowest Priced Hybrid -Certified for $1,300 Tax Credit
New hybrid starts at $22,695; receives official EPA ratings of 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway
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.
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
hmm
I might pick one of those/ the vue greenlines up in a few years.
05 M6 YJ GTO 1 of 447 12.767@109.93
I'm sorry?
a 2.4L Ecotec powered hybird.
Now that is impressive.
2007 Corvette Z51 | Suzuki Swift GTi SCCA racer | 2008 Edge
Quote:
28 mpg city/35 mpg highway
thats it?
doesnt seem like much better than a regular 4 cylinder would get you....
Its a mid sized car and if you recall, all of the other manufacturers had to rerate their hybrids w/ the new EPA standards so everyones will seem low.
Turns out when the EPA's new mileage formula kicks in for all 2008 models, hybrids suffer the largest decrease in fuel economy.
From The Detroit News:
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Gas mileage ratings get real; so should lawmakers, buyers
Beware activists' interests in pushing for radical change
The Detroit News
The Environmental Protection Agency finally has figured out that most people don't drive like grandma going to church. Most have a heavier foot, use air conditioning in the summer and live in places that occasionally drop below freezing, all factors that affect gas mileage.
Those things have largely been ignored for the past 22 years by the EPA, which tested vehicles at an average speed of 48 miles per hour in temperatures of 75 degrees. Posted fuel economy ratings on new cars and trucks no longer will be based on such narrow factors.
Beginning with 2008 models, consumers will get a more realistic reporting of the mileage their cars and trucks get because the EPA has changed its reporting formula, though "actual mileage will vary" still applies.
New testing methods take into account aggressive driving habits, cold weather and the use of air conditioning, among other factors. Fuel economy ratings for the Big Three automakers will drop an average of 11 percent for city driving and about 10.5 percent for highway driving.
Industrywide numbers will drop an estimated 12 percent in city driving and 8 percent in highway mileage.
Hybrids will take the biggest hit; they will have adjusted fuel economy ratings as much as 30 percent lower because tests eliminate the all-electric driving from the fuel economy standards, among other things. It also takes a lot of battery power to run air conditioners and get the gasoline-electric cars and trucks going in the winter, which affects fuel efficiency.
This won't come as much of a surprise to hybrid owners, who knew they rarely get the promised 60 miles per gallon.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, March 20, 2007 1:37 PM
05 M6 YJ GTO 1 of 447 12.767@109.93
I'd rock it if it was "beastly" hybrid like the high lexus cars.
But unless I get absolutely awesome gas mileage, like 40+ in the city, I don't see the point in paying extra for it.
Personally I can deal with the difference of 5 mpg to have leather seats, or a sunroof.
Tech Tone Blog
Capo di tutti capi wrote:I'd rock it if it was "beastly" hybrid like the high lexus cars.
But unless I get absolutely awesome gas mileage, like 40+ in the city, I don't see the point in paying extra for it.
Personally I can deal with the difference of 5 mpg to have leather seats, or a sunroof.
Agreed. I do like the idea...but the more i think about it. the mileage still isn't impressive enough to sway me to hybirds. Just seems like Toyota has a lock down on how do this segment right.
2007 Corvette Z51 | Suzuki Swift GTi SCCA racer | 2008 Edge
themarin8r wrote:Quote:
28 mpg city/35 mpg highway
thats it?
doesnt seem like much better than a regular 4 cylinder would get you....
Just for comparison:
2007 Honda Accord (4 cyl., 5 Speed Automatic) = 24/34
2007 Toyota Camry (4 cyl., 5 Speed Automatic) = 24/33
2007 Hyundai Sonata (4 cyl., 4 Speed Automatic) = 24/33
2007 Nissan Altima (4 cyl., CVT) = 26/34
If I remember correctly, the Aura utilizes GM's "mild-hybrid" system (not a "full" system as is most commonly referred to in the Civic, Camry, Prius, etc.) and comes with the 4 Speed Automatic transmission.
Capo di tutti capi wrote:I'd rock it if it was "beastly" hybrid like the high lexus cars.
But unless I get absolutely awesome gas mileage, like 40+ in the city, I don't see the point in paying extra for it.
Personally I can deal with the difference of 5 mpg to have leather seats, or a sunroof.
Well, the 3.5L OHV XE starts $20,995.00 and gets you 20/29 MPGs
Hybrid will cost you $21,395 after the tax credit and it will give you 28/35 MPGs. That is only a $400 difference and gives you 8 more MPGs in city and 6 more MPGs in the highway. Not only that, but the V6 XE and hybrid both weigh in the same at (3528lbs), but here I am willing to bet that the hybrid with the same tires and suspension components will handle better, just because the rear batteries will give it a closer 50:50 weight distribution.
IMO opinion GM did not maximize the hybrid by not offering it with a CVT or a 6-speed transmission (man or auto), instead it carries on with a 4 speed auto.
Yep for $400 more I'd take a G-L over the XE.
Evol...??? wrote:Capo di tutti capi wrote:I'd rock it if it was "beastly" hybrid like the high lexus cars.
But unless I get absolutely awesome gas mileage, like 40+ in the city, I don't see the point in paying extra for it.
Personally I can deal with the difference of 5 mpg to have leather seats, or a sunroof.
Agreed. I do like the idea...but the more i think about it. the mileage still isn't impressive enough to sway me to hybirds. Just seems like Toyota has a lock down on how do this segment right.
You have a valid point. Its execution is indeed better, but unfortunately you are also paying more for it too.
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
RoNuS20 wrote:themarin8r wrote:Quote:
28 mpg city/35 mpg highway
thats it?
doesnt seem like much better than a regular 4 cylinder would get you....
Just for comparison:
2007 Honda Accord (4 cyl., 5 Speed Automatic) = 24/34
2007 Toyota Camry (4 cyl., 5 Speed Automatic) = 24/33
2007 Hyundai Sonata (4 cyl., 4 Speed Automatic) = 24/33
2007 Nissan Altima (4 cyl., CVT) = 26/34
If I remember correctly, the Aura utilizes GM's "mild-hybrid" system (not a "full" system as is most commonly referred to in the Civic, Camry, Prius, etc.) and comes with the 4 Speed Automatic transmission.
Since Aura does not offer a 2.4L I-4 on the Aura we can not have a sure way how much of a gain in MPGs the hybrid is giving. The only way of finding out EPA's finding is wait on the 2008 Malibu which will carry the 2.4L and have the new standards or get an idea with the 2007 Pontiac G6 I-4 which is rated at 23/33. <<If those numbers don't change for 2008, it is a nice little jump, with a possible performance gain too.
>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
themarin8r wrote:Quote:
28 mpg city/35 mpg highway
thats it?
doesnt seem like much better than a regular 4 cylinder would get you....
what i was thinking also, my ol mans work car...the 89 civic 4dr 1.5 or 1.6 i donno, gets 40+mpg...tdi golf/bug/jetta's are supposed to be around 50mpg
