The Saturn Green Line is no longer. In its stead, the planetary brand's hybrid models will simply be known as hybrids. We think this is a good idea considering that the word 'hybrid' is much more readily associated with saving gas than the Green Line moniker. According to Mike Morrissey, a Saturn spokesman, "It was simply a practical matter. As we expand our hybrid lineup, the names were getting a bit long. It's hard to write a short sentence about the Saturn Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid." Amen to that. Though the Green Line name will disappear, the performance version of Saturn's models will retain their Red Line badges.
Saturn's current
[Source: Kicking Tires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex @ Jun 11th 2008 2:40PM
I can see why they are making this move, but i always thought the Green Line moniker was quite clever next to the Red Line. But, hey, whatever helps Saturn sell cars. They can use the boost. Great line-up but underwhelming sales.
glitched @ Jun 11th 2008 3:49PM
I to also thought the green line was quite clever next to the red line.
They could just go with "saturn vue Hybrid GL" that kinda has a ring?
Disgruntled Goat @ Jun 11th 2008 5:44PM
I agree. I always thought the Green Line term was both clever and catchy.
Sue: "Hey Betty, did you get a new car?"
Betty: "I sure did Sue, it's one of those new Saturn Green Line hybrids."
Sue: "That's ultra-cool Betty, maybe I'll go check out one of those Saturn Green Lines myself."
It was a marketing campaign that almost wrote itself. Since every day at GM is opposite day I should have figured that if it was clever or catchy that GM would do it's best to bury it.
TriShield @ Jun 11th 2008 2:47PM
Just another part of Saturn's unique identification stripped away.
The Green Line brand name would have more relevence if GM actually stuck it on a real two-mode hybrid instead of the "hybrid light" BS they have it on now. It would also help if they actually advertised it to educate consumers.
GM hybrid sales overall are abysmal, Toyota pretty much owns and is associated with the world, GM needs something that sounds different to stick in people's minds.
Jay @ Jun 11th 2008 4:33PM
light hybrid bs? Whats bs about it? The only difference is the car won't move under electric power only, but all the other elements are there. Are flightless birds bs because they don't fly? In spite of the beaks and feathers and egg laying n' such? Eclectic metaphor I know, but the point stands
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 11th 2008 5:58PM
The Honda Civic Hybrid cannot run on electric power alone either.
I guess GM and Honda are both in the technological backwater.
MikeW @ Jun 11th 2008 7:09PM
No, the Honda civic hybrid can move up to about 5mph on electricity alone.
The NEXT GM 'lite hybrid' is supposed to have that function.
The current system is total b.s. It is a proof of concept at best. It cuts fuel earlier/sooner than normal, it cuts the engine when stopped.
at the cost of no spare wheel, and a taller axle ratio on the 4 speed automatic.
Totally worthless compared to the 6t40.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 11th 2008 7:37PM
The only way the Civic can run on electric motor only is if the gas motor is still spinning. The electric motor has to drive the entire gas engine and the wheels too, which isn't efficient. It's strictly for marketing.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/09/show_time_for_t.html
Note there is no power curve for all-electric mode.
If you think this is useful, then bully for you. But it's useless. If this were useful, GM could do it too with their 1-mode system.
MikeW @ Jun 11th 2008 11:32PM
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=108445/pageId=67421
It isn't like the mechanicals of the car can't be programmed so that as soon as enough oil pressure is generated, the cylinder shutoff system engages (say at 5mph) that the electric motor continues to move the civic at speeds of up to 12.5mph, which is something like 2000rpm (in maximum CVT low), where the electric motor can make its full 20hp.
It is just Honda.
Daniel @ Jun 11th 2008 2:53PM
I wonder if it has anything to do with "green" becoming synonymous with snobby. What ever happened to "blue" becoming the new green?
Alex, however, has it right: I liked the Green vs. Red Line idea.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 11th 2008 7:40PM
Green isn't synonymous with snobby.
Companies went to "blue" (the color of the sky) because countries like Switzerland passed laws stating that no car can be called "green" because running them hurts the environment, even if for "green" cars it hurts it less than with other cars.
Eric77TA @ Jun 11th 2008 3:01PM
You know, everyone's always down on BAS, but it offers performance pretty close to the hybrid Escape at a much lower price.
My wife has a Vue Green Line and it's averaged 28 mpg in city driving. That's pretty good for a vehicle that can haul both of us, our two children and their associated stuff.
GMs hybrid sales are abysmal because there aren't any to be had. There's been a battery shortage due to some issues with first generation batteries. They're replacing the packs in the older models and that's constrained production on new ones.
Check out the saturnfans forum - the wait to get a Green Line (well, I guess just Hybrid) Vue or Aura right now is weeks to months in most areas. I've still never seen a Malibu hybrid. Not sure if they've made any yet.
So, I don't think GM is going to bother advertising something they can't deliver.
Upthewazzu @ Jun 11th 2008 3:23PM
I noticed the same thing. I was looking for a VUE Green Line and there isn't a single one to be had in the state of Washington. Its a shame since the EPA rated mileage is quite impressive. I'm still holding out though, we may end up waiting until the 2-mode hybrid comes out next year.
Infinihertz @ Jun 11th 2008 4:11PM
The Vue hybrid is rated 25/32, and the Escape hybrid is rated 34/30. I wouldn't call approximately 4mpg "pretty close," but to each his own.
psarhjinian @ Jun 11th 2008 4:17PM
No, it doesn't offer power or utility anything like the Escape. The Escape manages very good real-world mileage, especially in urban environments that vehicles like this suffer in. I rented one and was able to return subcompact mileage in a traffic crawl.
The Vue GL gets mileage equivalent to a CRV or four-cyl RAV, which is pathetic for a hybrid, and it has no real ability to save fuel in the city over a normally-powered vehicle. Maybe--maybe!--if it didn't weigh so damn much, it'd do better, but it doesn't.
I like Saturn, or at least I want to, but GM seems bound and determined to kill them off through enforced mediocrity.
nataku83 @ Jun 11th 2008 4:58PM
@psarhjinian I would say that 32 on the hwy is pretty impressive. For those of us who have the misfortune of living in sprawl, a vehicle like this is even better than the escape hybrid. Also, why don't you check your numbers? The CRV / RAV4 4-cylinders are rated 20/27. Maybe a
psarhjinian @ Jun 11th 2008 5:12PM
I used to live in a major urban centre (Toronto, Ontario; pop ~4 million) and I can attest to how weak an effort the Vue is next to the Escape and how, real-world, it's mileage isn't really very good, especially in-city.
It's a heavy truck with a mild hybrid system; the Escape is a lighter one with a full hybrid system. They cost about the same and, while the Vue is nicer inside, the Escape isn't that bad.
blogged to death @ Jun 11th 2008 3:03PM
Will it cost $50k like the Tahoe? Or only $40k? To sell this it would have to cost $25k to compete with the Escape, Civic, Prius hybrids.
Eric77TA @ Jun 11th 2008 3:09PM
Last cost estimate I heard was high 30s. But the 2 mode will probably have the best mileage of any hybrid SUV (rumor is it could be as high as 30 city 36 highway) while still offering good acceleration.
Chris @ Jun 11th 2008 3:17PM
Thats dissapointing to read. I really like the Green Line idea. The could put the badge on the vehicle like they do with the Red Line. I think its a bad move on GM's Part.