Plug-In Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid Announced

There’s no time frame for it, but GM just announced plans to build a plug-in hybrid based on the Saturn Vue that debuted to the public just minutes ago at the L.A. Auto Show. The main reason the company can’t announce a timeline is that the battery technology — GM is looking at using lithium ion batteries — isn’t advanced enough to be mass-produced in this type of application. It will be worth it though; one executive was overheard saying such a plug-in could get around 70 mpg on the highway.

Other news is that the Saturn Vue Green Line will get a more advanced — and more expensive — two-mode hybrid system in calendar 2008. Vue Green Lines with that system will be available alongside ones with the current, less-efficient belt-alternator system, which is what’s in the all-new 2008 Vue Green Line debuting today. Customers will be able to choose between the two types. The belt-alternator setup will deliver roughly 25% better fuel economy than the regular Vue, while the two-mode system will see up to a 45% improvement. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have the standard Vue’s estimated mileage in order to do the math.