Saturn Vue

Saturn Vue

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Manufacturer	Saturn Corporation (2002–2007) General Motors (2007–2009)
Production	2001–2009
Model year(s)	2002–2009
Class	Compact crossover SUV
Body style(s)	5-door wagon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive Front-engine, four-wheel drive

The Saturn Vue was a compact crossover SUV that was sold by General Motors' Saturn marque, and at one time was Saturn's best-selling model. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform when it was introduced in 2002. A second generation model was launched in 2007 for the 2008 model as a rebadged Opel Antara model. Vue production in North America ended as GM wound down the Saturn brand during the General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization.

First generation (2002–2007)

First generation

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Production	2001–2007
Model year(s)	2002–2007
Assembly	United States: Spring Hill, Tennessee
Platform	GM Theta platform
Engine(s)	2.2 L L61 I4 3.0 L L81 V6 3.5 L J35A3 V6 2.4 L LAT (hybrid)
Transmission(s)	5-speed Getrag F23 manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic 5-speed Honda automatic CVT VTi automatic
Wheelbase	106.6 in (2,710 mm)
Length	181.3 in (4,610 mm)
Width	71.5 in (1,820 mm) Hybrid: 71.6 in (1,820 mm)
Height	66.5 in (1,690 mm) Hybrid: 66.3 in (1,680 mm)

The Vue was introduced for the 2002 model year and was designed by Saturn. It was manufactured at the Spring Hill GM plant. Its unibody platform is shared with the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and the European Opel Antara. The first generation ran from model year 2002-2007.

Four cylinder Vues used the Ecotec I4. The L81 V6 from the L-Series and five-speed Aisin AF33 automatic transmission were initially offered, but starting in 2004, all six-cylinder Vues were equipped with Honda's 250-horsepower (190 kW) J35A3 engine and a Honda transmission. The four-cylinder Vue was available with the VTi continuously-variable transmission (CVT) until GM canceled it for 2005.

The Vue received a facelift for the 2006 model year. Upgrades included a redesigned interior with higher-quality materials, a new bumper and grille, and some minor cosmetic pieces to the exterior. OnStar was now standard as well as cruise control and automatic headlights.

Red Line

2004–2005 Saturn Vue Red Line

Saturn introduced a special high-performance line of vehicles in 2004 under the name, "Red Line". The Vue Red Line includes the same 250 hp (186 kW) Honda J35A3 V6 but with sportier suspension tuning for performance. 18 in alloy wheels, ground-effect front bumpers, chrome exhaust tip, special black leather and suede seats, footwell lighting, and a special gauge cluster complete the visual updates. It also includes some special interior features as well, such as a higher quality audio system.

Green Line

The high-performance Vue Red Line was joined for 2007 by an environmentally-oriented Green Line model. The Vue was a mild hybrid, or "assist hybrid", using what GM called a "belt alternator starter" BAS Hybrid system. A large electric motor was connected to the crankshaft via a special accessory drive belt, with a modified automatic transmission fitted.

It automatically stopped the engine when the vehicle came to a halt and instantly restarted it when the vehicle had to move again. Not to be confused as just a "start-stop" system, the electric motor also assisted somewhat during initial launch, during torque smoothing and when under heavy acceleration. A 36-volt nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack located under the load floor powers the motor/generator unit, and also stores regenerative braking energy. The regenerative charging and electric motor assist functions were shown to the driver via an analog gauge on the dash board, and real-time fuel-economy feedback was accomplished via an "eco" light that glowed when the instantaneous fuel economy was beating the window sticker fuel economy values.

The fuel savings were 20 percent up from the base vehicle's 22 mpg_-US (11 L/100 km)/27 mpg_-US (8.7 L/100 km/32 mpg_-imp) city/highway EPA sticker to 27 mpg_-US (8.7 L/100 km)/32 mpg_-US (7.4 L/100 km), the highest highway fuel economy of any 2007 model SUV sold in the US market. In Canada, according to Saturn, the Vue got an estimated 8.8 L/100 km (32 mpg_-imp/27 mpg_-US) city and 6.7 L/100 km (42 mpg_-imp/35 mpg_-US) highway.

170-horsepower (130 kW) 2.4-liter Ecotec DOHC-phaser engine which replaced the standard 144-horsepower (107 kW) 2.2-liter inline-four engine, resulting in the improvement of 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time by 1.0 second. Pricing for the hybrid is about US$2,000 more than a similarly-equipped Vue, and debuted in production form on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Green Line went on sale in the third quarter of 2006.

Engines

Years	Engine	Power	Torque
2002–2007	2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4	143 hp (107 kW)	152 ft·lbf (206 N·m)
2002–2003	3.0 L 54-Degree V6	181 hp (135 kW)	195 ft·lbf (264 N·m)
2004–2007	3.5 L GM L66 (J35A3) V6	250 hp (186 kW)	242 ft·lbf (328 N·m)
2007	2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4	170 hp (127 kW)	163 ft·lbf (220 N·m)

Safety

In IIHS crash tests the Vue received a Good overall rating in the frontal offset crash test. In 2008 models came equipped with standard front and rear head side curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags. These models were given an acceptable overall rating in side impacts. Models without side airbags were given an overall poor rating.

Second generation (2008–2009)

Saturn Vue (second generation)  :Main article: Opel Antara#Saturn Vue

Main article: Opel Antara#Saturn Vue

Saturn introduced the second generation Vue in 2007 for the 2008 model year, now manufactured in Mexico as a badge engineered version of the German-designed Opel Antara. Saturn offered four trim levels: the "XE", "XR", the sporty "Red Line" and hybrid "Green Line". Engines ranged from a 2.4-liter inline-four to 3.5- and 3.6-liter V6s. A hybrid powertrain versions of the 2.4-liter model was also available.

Following the cessation of the Saturn brand in 2009, the Vue was discontinued. However, GM continued to produce a Chevrolet version, the Captiva Sport, for the Mexican and South American markets. The Chevrolet Captiva Sport will be available for the US commercial and fleet markets in late 2011 for the 2012 model year.

Sales

Calendar Year	United States
2001	393
2002	75,477
2003	81,924
2004	86,957
2005	91,972
2006	88,581
2007	81,676
2008	84,767
2009	28,429

References

• "Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid Delivers Great Fuel Economy Through New, Lower-Cost Hybrid System". General Motors press release. Retrieved on [[January 9 2006]].
• "2007 Saturn Vue Roadtest". Retrieved on [[December 6 2006]].