Buick releases teaser of Vue-based hybrid (canned)
#1
Buick releases teaser of Vue-based hybrid (canned)
When General Motors sells Saturn later this year it will lose more than a quarter of its sales of hybrid vehicles. Saturn, with no V8 models, full-size SUVs or pickups, is GM’s most fuel-efficient brand and is second only to Chevrolet for overall hybrid sales with its Vue and Aura mild-hybrid models. One of these models, the Vue crossover, was destined to spawn an advanced plug-in hybrid variant, however, now this model will be sold under the Buick brand.
Set to arrive in 2011, the new Buick plug-in hybrid will be able to seat five adults and is expected to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid crossover produced by a major automaker. A standard version powered by a range of direct-injected gasoline engines, however, will be available from next year.
As this teaser image reveals, the new crossover’s design (especially the headlights) will be very similar to the outgoing Saturn Vue. According to GM, it has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs and crossovers on short trips. This is because of the significant boost in economy achieved by combining a modified version of the automaker's 2-Mode Hybrid system with lithium-ion battery cells and charging technology developed for the Voltec system, which will debut in the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid late next year.
In fact, the Buick plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells as the Volt. The 8 kwh battery - containing half the energy of the Volt battery pack - will be packaged in a rectangular-shaped box under the cargo floor. The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds.
On the road, GM's 2-Mode plug-in hybrid system can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power to move the vehicle, depending on the driving conditions. Importantly, this differs from GM's Voltec technology, which provides the Volt with up to 40 miles of emissions and gasoline-free electric-only propulsion, and an overall range of more than 300 miles when using its internal combustion engine.
In addition to the lithium-ion battery pack, the Buick plug-in hybrid's powertrain features two powerful electric motors, sophisticated electronic controls and battery management systems and an efficient direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 flex-fuel capable engine.
As for the non-hybrid versions, they will be powered by either an Ecotec 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter direct-injected V-6. Final fuel economy estimates, as well as additional vehicle details such as name and pricing, will be announced in the near future.
Set to arrive in 2011, the new Buick plug-in hybrid will be able to seat five adults and is expected to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid crossover produced by a major automaker. A standard version powered by a range of direct-injected gasoline engines, however, will be available from next year.
As this teaser image reveals, the new crossover’s design (especially the headlights) will be very similar to the outgoing Saturn Vue. According to GM, it has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs and crossovers on short trips. This is because of the significant boost in economy achieved by combining a modified version of the automaker's 2-Mode Hybrid system with lithium-ion battery cells and charging technology developed for the Voltec system, which will debut in the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid late next year.
In fact, the Buick plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells as the Volt. The 8 kwh battery - containing half the energy of the Volt battery pack - will be packaged in a rectangular-shaped box under the cargo floor. The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds.
On the road, GM's 2-Mode plug-in hybrid system can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power to move the vehicle, depending on the driving conditions. Importantly, this differs from GM's Voltec technology, which provides the Volt with up to 40 miles of emissions and gasoline-free electric-only propulsion, and an overall range of more than 300 miles when using its internal combustion engine.
In addition to the lithium-ion battery pack, the Buick plug-in hybrid's powertrain features two powerful electric motors, sophisticated electronic controls and battery management systems and an efficient direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 flex-fuel capable engine.
As for the non-hybrid versions, they will be powered by either an Ecotec 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter direct-injected V-6. Final fuel economy estimates, as well as additional vehicle details such as name and pricing, will be announced in the near future.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
So much for the idea of Buick going the way of Oldsmobile and Pontiac. I said some time ago that wasn't going to happen. They have just too large a core of dedicated, traditional buyers. The main problem for Buick, however, will be to prevent alienating their traditional customers with their new designs.
This may be a nice smaller alternative to the big Enclave, but Buick had better keep the Enclave as well if they want to keep their sales up. if the Enclave's gas mileage is too poor for the upcoming CAFE standards, then pehaps this new hybrid could serve as a test bed for developing a future, larger, hybrid Enclave.
This may be a nice smaller alternative to the big Enclave, but Buick had better keep the Enclave as well if they want to keep their sales up. if the Enclave's gas mileage is too poor for the upcoming CAFE standards, then pehaps this new hybrid could serve as a test bed for developing a future, larger, hybrid Enclave.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-06-09 at 08:36 AM.
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#8
G35x - RWD/AWD goodness
I'm glad to see this technology not going to waist, and it would seem that it's even being improved upon with the inclusion of the battery technology from the Volt.
mmarshall, I've read on several occasions the reason Buick wasn't axed is because GM has invested too much to make it a successful brand in China.
So much for the idea of Buick going the way of Oldsmobile and Pontiac. I said some time ago that wasn't going to happen. They have just too large a core of dedicated, traditional buyers. The main problem for Buick, however, will be to prevent alienating their traditional customers with their new designs.
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Many so-called auto "enthusiasts" and auto press members who personally dislike Buick simply don't want to admit the obvious....Buick is a hugely popular brand with older Americans, and some not-so-old.
#11
If that was the case, then GM would have simply confined the brand to China, like it does Opel in Europe.
Many so-called auto "enthusiasts" and auto press members who personally dislike Buick simply don't want to admit the obvious....Buick is a hugely popular brand with older Americans, and some not-so-old.
Many so-called auto "enthusiasts" and auto press members who personally dislike Buick simply don't want to admit the obvious....Buick is a hugely popular brand with older Americans, and some not-so-old.
Also check out this poll from the Enclaveforum. Granted its a very small sample and it's to be expected that younger, more savy people would be posting on an internet message board, but clearly the Enclave does appeal to buyers in the 30s and 40s.
As with most others here, I think Buick is on the up and will have a winner with the Lacrosse. The Vue hybrid as a Buick sounds like a good move as well.
#12
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#13
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Surprising news comes by way of General Motors today as the automaker has already canceled its recently announced Buick crossover, which in reality was little more than an ex-Saturn Vue emblazoned with Buick's trademark chrome waterfall grille. And therein lies the rub. As confirmed to Autoblog by Michelle Bunker, Manager of Buick Communications, initial feedback from the media, employees and dealerships regarding the upcoming vehicle was almost universally negative, as the product just didn't seem to fit with the direction the automaker said it was taking the Buick brand. As a result, GM has apparently canceled the program.
Thankfully, though, the Vue's plug-in hybrid powertrain will reportedly be transferred to another vehicle and will hit the market with no delay from the previously announced 2011 sale date. While some might say (and with good reason) that GM should have known the Vue didn't belong in Buick showrooms in the first place, the automaker cites this quick action as evidence that things really are changing at New GM, and it's hard to argue with that assessment – there's little doubt it would have taken countless meetings leading to numerous delays to make such a decision just a few months back.
In any case, GM promises to discuss the replacement for the PHEV in the very near future. Watch this space for more.
[Source: General Motors]
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/b...v-drivetrain-t
Thankfully, though, the Vue's plug-in hybrid powertrain will reportedly be transferred to another vehicle and will hit the market with no delay from the previously announced 2011 sale date. While some might say (and with good reason) that GM should have known the Vue didn't belong in Buick showrooms in the first place, the automaker cites this quick action as evidence that things really are changing at New GM, and it's hard to argue with that assessment – there's little doubt it would have taken countless meetings leading to numerous delays to make such a decision just a few months back.
In any case, GM promises to discuss the replacement for the PHEV in the very near future. Watch this space for more.
[Source: General Motors]
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/b...v-drivetrain-t
#14
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