2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid @ 2006 LA Auto Show

[NYCshopper]

2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid @ 2006 LA Auto Show



Press Release:

2007 SATURN AURA GREEN LINE HYBRID SEDAN OFFERS AFFORDABILITY AND IMPRESSIVE FUEL ECONOMY

LOS ANGELES –TheSaturn Aura Green Line hybrid, introduced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, will deliver at least a 25-percent fuel economy improvement over the non-hybrid Aura XE for a premium of less than $2,500.

The Aura Green Line’s base price is expected to start below $23,000.

“The introduction of the Aura Green Line broadens Saturn’s commitment to customers of enabling them to drive green without going broke,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “With Green Line variants of both Aura and Vue, Saturn again demonstrates that environmental products can also be a great value.”

The 2007 Aura Green Line will be produced at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant, and will be available at Saturn retailers in spring 2007.

The Aura Green Line is equipped with the GM Hybrid system, which reduces fuel consumption fuel via sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed transmission. This is the same hybrid system that debuted this year in the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line and will be used in the all-new 2008 Vue Green Line, also being unveiled today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

“The Saturn Aura Green Line is the first of four hybrids GM will introduce in the 2007 calendar year, more than any other manufacturer,” said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Powertrain. “Equipped with GM’s 2.4L, four-cylinder Ecotec engine and the GM Hybrid system, the Aura Green Line will deliver spirited performance, as well as a significant improvement in overall fuel economy compared to the current Aura.”

Fuel-saving performance

Aura Green Line’s innovative hybrid powertrain is rated at 164 horsepower (122 kW)* at 6400 rpm* and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5000 rpm.* While maintaining the vehicle’s sporty feel, the GM Hybrid system seamlessly reduces fuel consumption by:

Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
Restarting the engine promptly when the brake pedal is released
Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration through regenerative braking to charge the advanced nickel metal hydride battery
Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient
The new GM Hybrid system provides additional power, when required, during launch from the electric motor/generator. At wide-open throttle, such as during a passing maneuver, the system enhances acceleration by using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine and achieve maximum power.

The GM Hybrid system also is designed to automatically maintain full accessory functionality when the vehicle is stopped, including climate control, so that hybrid operation is transparent to the driver and passengers. The Aura Green Line delivers an appropriate balance between fuel economy and cabin comfort with an air conditioning system with two selectable modes. The Hybrid A/C mode favors more fuel efficient performance by limiting the draw on the hybrid powertrain, while the normal mode provides maximum passenger comfort in hot climates and enhances defogging performance.

Based on the all-new Saturn Aura midsize sedan

The Aura Green Line hybrid sedan is based on the all-new Aura midsize sedan, which blends Saturn’s new, European-inspired design language and high levels of refinement with the brand’s customer-focused purchase and ownership experience.

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. Key standard features include dual-stage frontal, side-curtain and thorax protection air bags, along with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and the OnStar safety and security system.

GM’s hybrid strategy

The Aura Green Line is one of 12 hybrids GM will launch, providing customers with several levels of fuel economy savings at different price points on vehicles ranging from cars to full-size SUVs.

GM launched the world’s first hybrid pickup trucks in 2004. GM also will offer the world’s first two-mode hybrid system for passenger vehicles in the new, full-size Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs in 2007.

*SAE certified. A new voluntary power and torque certification procedure developed by the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March 31, 2005. This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing manufacturers to certify their engines through third-party witness testing. GM was the first auto manufacturer to begin using the procedure and expects to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.

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[blubaru703]

cool.

[Hazdaz]

Nice.

And to all the nay-sayers out that that wrongly think that hybrids are "too expensive" or some other BS like that - this car has a $2500 premium and is supposed to get 25% better mileage... I am probably gonna end up spending about $5000 this year on gas. If my fuel bill was cut by 25% to $3750, the hybrid premium would pay for itself in only about 2 years. That is a hell of a worthwhile investment, when in other cars there are stereo systems or navigation systems that cost nearly as much and offer up way less in return.

[Hazdaz]

~BUMP~

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2..._prices_a.html

The Saturn Aura Green Line, GM’s first hybrid sedan, goes on sale this April with a $22,045 price tag, excluding the $650 destination charge. That means the Green Line and its four-cylinder engine and electric motor hybrid system costs $1,700 more than the base Aura XE, which comes with a standard V-6 engine.

The Green Line is estimated to get 28/35 mpg city/highway, while the Aura XE gets 20/30 mpg. That’s still far less than the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s 40/38 mpg, but the starting price of the Saturn is $4,000 less. The Honda Accord Hybrid gets an identical 28/35 mpg rating, but is tuned for more of a performance-oriented driving experience and starts over $30,000.

It looks like it will be even cheaper than expected... and gets the same mileage as the Accord hybrid. Much cheaper than the Camry hybrid, but it obviously doesn't get nearly the same mileage.
Still though, it gets 40% better city mileage and 15% better HW mileage.

I would be curious to read a true review on it.

[BigElm]

And so the Hybrid battles begin.... cool

[lev98]

i have actually driven the car very nice even for a gm