http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...829545584/1056

Isn't this the same mistake Honda made with their accord hybrid. Going with a big V6 over a smaller V6 or 4 cyl.?

I think they should have saved the DI 3.6L for Cadillacs new Theta II crossover and gave the Vue a Direct injection 2.8L or even the 2.4L. The goal should be to best the Ford Escape in fuel economy. Could this 2 mode Vue do that? Personally I doubt it will get better mileage than a Mild hybrid Vue.

Vue 3.6L FWD = 16/23
Vue Mild hybrid 2.4L = 25/32
Vue 3.6L hybrid =? 24?/34? (that is 50% over the 3.6L Vue )

 

I bet it is tuned differently than the 304 hp Caddy version. How is the Vue going to get 34 mpg highway when the more aero-friendly CTS only gets 27-28 on the highway?

I would think it might be tuned for more of a lean burn, lower power output setup.

 

Are those numbers right? Generally speaking, Hybrids dont really get that much better highway economy ratings due to the fact that they dont use electric at highway speeds

 

Those are not the real number. GM says 50% increase so I just multiplied both the city and hwy. Like the Tahoe, I expect the city to improve much more than the hwy.

 

That article leads me to believe it is using the FWD variant of GM's dual mode transmission. This means one (or both) could be running at higher speeds, thusly also improving highway economy. While those numbers may not be correct, we'll see how they actually end up. Its possible that they could be decently close.

Also FWIW I dont know why they didnt drop the DI I4 in there, and it might have been packaging or a hundred other reasons...

 

The Car Connection is estimating 24/28, which makes the 2-mode's mileage worse than the 27/32 of the mild hybrid Green Line - though they quote 7.3 seconds to 60 vs. 10.3. But I think you're right. Same mistake Honda made. This system paired with a 4 cylinder could have provided some really meaningful economy gains - and if mileage is the ultimate goal, won't most buyers give up a little acceleration to achieve it? I guess it is a huge improvement over the normal V6 Vue, though, which is just a pig for this class.

 

I too find this an odd move from Saturn/GM. The whole point of having a hybrid is to get better fuel economy. Unless GM plans to only offer one engine choice soon then this would work for both those wanting some power and those for hybrid duty. But if Saturn plans to keep the non-hybrid engine around make the hybrid one a 4 cyl. and get all the gas savings possible. It's ok to get over 30mpg city in a small SUV the public won't be mad!

 

GM did the same thing with the two mode tahoe. It put the 6.0L engine in it instead of a 5.3. I wonder what this system and the system in the tahoe would do with smaller engines.

Could their be a reason that the need it? Would the car feel sluggish without enough low torque maybe due in part because the extra weight of the batteries?

 

...but doesn't this allow you to have the performance you may need and great milage? You aren't going to tow much with a little 4-banger hybrid in there. Remember, this is a Sport-Ute, not a little family sedan.

The 0-60 of 7.3 seconds is dang impressive for a hybrid.

Dan

 

The 6.0L gets better fuel ecomomy than the 5.3L in this application because its additional torque allowes it to spend much more time in 4cyl mode, yiellding better fuel economy than the smaller engine.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 5.3 doesn't have AFM where the 6.0 does.

 

Were the MPG estimates for the old BAS Vue done under the new EPA rating system or the old?

 

Both 5.3L engines available in the Tahoe (LY5 and LMG) have AFM. In fact AFM is standard on all applications of the 5.3 for '08.

 

New. And that's the new BAS Vue rather than the old one. It actually gets slightly better mileage than the 2007 even under the new ratings. There will be two Vue Green Line models now, BAS and two-mode, both on sale at the same time.

 

I know people are saying it should get better mileage than the escape, but has anyone driven one of these? I haven't, but the HP ratings for a vehicle this large seem to be quite small.

I do have some relatives in FL that have a prius. They say they have problems when going up some hills, small hills. Maybe that is what they are trying to avoid with this one. I would like to see the official numbers on the mileage though. I hope they are good.