North America was held in a pickup truck and sports utility vehicle (SUV) mania in the 1990's. The craze propelled the manufacture of the light truck breed. Originally intended for outdoor individuals like farmers, the SUV became a family transportation.
Several years after the introduction of the SUVs in the market, several SUV drivers complained about the driving performance of the vehicle citing its truck-like driving. SUV drivers wanted a sports vehicle that has the feel and the performance of regular cars.
In response to the SUV owners' demands, car manufacturers came up with a new breed of SUVs. The crossover SUVs have the design and feel of regular cars. With its new design and more gas-saving capacity however, a crossover SUV is no longer suitable for towing and off-road driving.
What is an SUV?
Combined with the generous space-feature of minivans and the towing capability of a pickup truck, the sports utility vehicle (SUV) is designed as an off-road car.
Generally, SUVs have no specific trunk, equipped with mixed baggage and passenger compartments, and an engine compartment. A typical full-size and midsize SUV has three rows of seats along with a cargo section located at the back of the last row of seats in the vehicle.
Crossover SUVs Vs. Truck-based SUVs
Crossover SUV's like the Saturn Vue hybrid have three strong points over regular SUVs.
The abrupt and shifty moves of trucks are deemed as perilous truck-handling features. Truck-based SUVs have low tolerance to rollovers because of their tall high tire sidewalls, higher than usual center of gravity, and long-travel suspensions.
On the other hand, crossover SUVs have more road- fitting suspensions and they ride lower compared to truck-based SUVs. Since most crossovers are front-wheel drive, it gives drivers more ease and control when driving under a wet and slippery weather. Crossovers like the Saturn Vue hybrid are more receptive and secure since they have restricted off-road features.
Another advantage of crossover SUVs is that they are created with light components just like regular cars. Vehicles with lighter components are more affordable to manufacture, thus, they have cheaper prices when sold on the car market.
Lastly, crossovers like the Saturn Vue hybrid are more proficient and economical compared to the regular SUVs on the market. They have better tires and unibody assembly. Truck-based SUVs have aerodynamics that are basically less-efficient than to those of the crossovers.
Saturn Vue Hybrid
The Saturn Vue hybrid is the foremost General Motor (GM) automobile operated by a modern and cheap hybrid system. The GM hybrid system utilizes the belt alternator system technology.
GM developed this technology to help save at least twenty percent on fuel-efficiency weighed against the regular Vue. So far, the Saturn Vue hybrid is the most affordable hybrid sold on the market today.
Saturn Vue Hybrid System
The Saturn Vue hybrid system involves an electric motor-generator device that substitutes the regular starter and alternator. It has an auto-start torque of 115 lb-ft. This mild hybrid is equipped with a modern NiMH hybrid power pack. The battery pack that can deliver and pick up more than 10 kw of power.
The Saturn Vue hybrid system is set with modern Hybrid Supervisory software that supervises both the gas engine and the hybrid system. To electronically manage automatic four-speed transaxle, the Vue hybrid system in equipped with Hydra-Matic 4T45-E.
2007 Green Line Features
The 2007 Green Line Saturn Vue hybrid is five-door wagon, five-seater, front-wheel drive front engine. With four-speed automatic transmission, the Saturn Vue hybrid is set with DOHC 16-Valve 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain at 170 horsepower.
In 10.2 seconds, the Saturn Vue hybrid can run from zero to sixty mph. And in 35.1 seconds, it can go from zero to one hundred mph. On street start, it can run from five to sixty mph in 10.7 seconds.
The Green line Saturn Vue hybrid has a 106.6-inch of wheelbase. It is 181.3 inches in length, 71.6 inches in width, and stands at 65.3 inches in height.
In city driving, it has an EPA fuel economy score of 27mpg. Meanwhile in highway driving, it rates at 32mpg.
The GM hybrid system employed in the Saturn Vue hybrid allows the vehicle to boost fuel-savings with its automatic cut-off of gas when decelerating, and shut-off of engine when immobile. Its efficiency is also indebted to its hybrid system that features regenerative braking and electrical engine support during an increase in car speed.
Perfect for You
SUV crossovers like the Saturn Vue hybrids are great alternatives to the truck-based SUVs. If you want an SUV with the car-like feel and performance sold at an affordable price, Vue hybrids are perfect for you.
Visit Green-Hybrid-Cars.com for useful information and resources about Saturn Vue hybrid, Ford hybrids and 2003 Honda Civic hybrid.
-Saturn Sports Car
