GM's Two New Hybrid SUVs Save Fuel While Maintaining Performance

WHITE MARSH, MD. February 1, 2006; General Motors' ongoing commitment to improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions with advanced propulsion technologies is evidenced by the introduction of two new hybrid SUVs - the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid and the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid, featuring the world's first light-duty two-mode full hybrid system in an SUV.

The Vue Green Line has a new, more affordable hybrid system that improves fuel economy by an estimated 20 percent, depending on driving conditions. When it arrives at Saturn retailers this summer, it is expected to be the lowest-cost hybrid-powered SUV in the market. The premium for the Vue's hybrid system will be less than $2,000 and the vehicle's MSRP will start at less than $23,000.

The Vortec V-8-powered Chevrolet Tahoe Two-mode Hybrid is expected to deliver a 25-percent improvement in composite fuel economy when GM's two-mode hybrid system is paired with Active Fuel Management™ cylinder deactivation. The Tahoe will go on sale with the GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrid in 2007 as 2008 models. The two-mode hybrid transmissions will be built at GM Powertrain's Baltimore Transmission facility, with final vehicle assembly at GM's Arlington (Texas) plant. Pricing and production volumes have not been announced.

The Vue Green Line and Tahoe and Yukon Two-mode Hybrids are among the 12 hybrids GM plans to deliver over time in high-volume car and truck lines, providing customers with several levels of fuel economy savings at different price points. GM already builds and sells the industry's first and only hybrid pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and the GMC Sierra Hybrid, which deliver the highest city fuel economy in their segment.

"Our hybrids offer customers a choice of fuel-saving technologies depending on their driving habits and budgets," said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Powertrain. "Our hybrid strategy delivers on GM's commitment to apply advanced fuel-saving technologies where we will realize the most fuel savings."

Here's a deeper look at GM's hybrid SUVs:

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrids

With the addition of the world's first light-duty two-mode full hybrid propulsion system in an SUV, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Two-mode Hybrids will deliver a 25-percent improvement in fuel economy and a superior driving experience that SUV customers know and love.

"The Tahoe and Yukon Two-mode Hybrids combine the functionality and comfort of a full-size SUV with a two-mode full hybrid system that optimizes fuel efficiency in city and highway driving, the way most Americans use their vehicles," said Stephens.

The Vortec V-8-powered two-mode hybrid is expected to deliver a composite fuel efficiency improvement of 25 percent when combined with Active Fuel Management™ cylinder deactivation technology. Pricing and production volumes have not been announced.

The two-mode hybrid system, originally implemented by GM in transit buses in 2003, is being cooperatively advanced and adapted by BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler and GM for use in a broad variety of cars, trucks and SUVs.

The partnership pools the expertise of all three companies to leverage automatic transmission technology and electronic controls in an integrated, powerful and compact system that can be used with both gas and diesel engines.

The two-mode hybrid system features two modes optimized for city and highway driving. In the first mode, at low speed and light loads, the vehicle can operate in three ways: electric power only, engine power only or in any combination of engine and electric power. When operating with electric power only, it provides all the fuel-savings benefits of a full hybrid system. Leaving the engine shut off for extended periods of time and moving under electric power at low speed is key to reducing fuel consumption in heavy stop-and-go traffic.

2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid

The 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid features the new, more affordable GM hybrid system. The Vue Green Line Hybrid is expected to deliver an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway - a fuel economy improvement of about 20 percent over the non-hybrid Vue.

The Vue Green Line uses sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L VVT four-cylinder engine and 4T45-E four-speed transmission. It is a simple and flexible hybrid design that provides increased fuel economy through engine shut-off at idle and fuel cut-off during deceleration, supplies electric power assist during acceleration and the capability to capture electrical energy through regenerative braking.

"As Saturn continues an aggressive product lineup expansion, a hybrid version of the popular Vue is a natural extension," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. "The Vue Green Line strengthens our position as an environmentally aware brand that provides great value - an attribute that has always appealed to Saturn customers."

The Vue Green Line is based on the popular Vue SUV, which was restyled for 2006 model year with distinctive exterior appointments and a more refined interior.