When GM threw Saturn under the bus, many of us were left wondering what would happen to the 2010 VUE plug-in hybrid. We finally have our answer; GM has announced they will introduce a new Buick plug-in hybrid in 2011.
These teaser photos clearly show the "new" Buick is nothing more than a rebadged Saturn VUE with a waterfall grille. Set to be positioned beneath the massive Buick Enclave, the new unnamed crossover will be launched with petrol engines in late 2010.
Like the VUE, the Buick's base engine will be a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder with direct injection. While no official specifications have been announced, the VUE's 2.4-liter engine is rated at 169 hp and 161 lb-ft of torque. Oddly, the VUE's 257 hp 3.6-liter V6 engine has been replaced by the new 255 hp 3.0-liter V6 from the Buick LaCrosse.
The plug-in Buick crossover "has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs on short trips", thanks to GM's 2-Mode Hybrid system and an advanced lithium-ion battery produced by LG Chem. The 8 kWh battery resides under the cargo floor and can be fully recharged in four to five hours by any standard 110V household electrical outlet. Unlike the highly publicized Chevy Volt, the Buick plug-in can only travel up to 10 miles on electric power alone, so the car will instead rely heavily on the aforementioned 3.6-liter V6 engine.
- Five-passenger crossover arrives in 2010 with family of fuel-efficient direct-injected gas engines
- Plug-in hybrid model debuts in 2011
- Expected to be first commercially available plug-in hybrid SUV produced by a major automaker
General Motors' plug-in hybrid technology will be introduced in a new Buick crossover vehicle in 2011, Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development, announced here today during the Management Briefing Seminars.
The yet-to-be-named Buick crossover will launch in late 2010 offering a family of fuel-efficient direct-injected gasoline engines, followed in 2011 by the plug-in hybrid model.
"Buick has always been at the forefront of new technology, so it is only fitting that the brand should debut our new plug-in hybrid technology in a beautiful new crossover," said Stephens. "This will firmly put Buick, and GM, front and center in the advanced technology game."
A new Buick for a new customer
The new five-passenger crossover will build on the success of the Buick Enclave, offering the brand's finely crafted execution and premium driving experience in a fuel-efficient package.
"Some customers who have been drawn to the Enclave were looking for something a little smaller, but they didn't want to give up craftsmanship or a quiet ride to get there," said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. "We believe this new Buick will excite those customers, and will continue to broaden the appeal of the brand."
The Buick crossover will be powered by an Ecotec 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder engine with an optional 3.0L direct-injected V-6, and is expected to deliver 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway. Final fuel economy estimates, as well as additional vehicle details such as name and pricing, will be announced later.
Plug-in hybrid model
The Buick plug-in hybrid is expected to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid SUV produced by a major automaker.
The Buick plug-in hybrid has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs on short trips. This significant boost is achieved by combining a modified version of GM's proven 2-Mode Hybrid system with advanced lithium-ion battery cells and charging technology developed for GM's Voltec system, which will debut in the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle in late 2010.
"LG Chem - the supplier of our battery cells for the Volt - has also been selected to supply the lithium-ion cells for the new Buick plug-in hybrid, and its Troy, Mich.-based subsidiary Compact Power will supply the pack," Stephens said.
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. By recharging rather than refueling, the Buick plug-in hybrid significantly improves fuel economy and reduces petroleum use. 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. This differs from GM's Voltec technology, which provides the Volt with up to 40 miles of emissions- and petroleum-free electric-only propulsion, and an overall range of more than 300 miles with its flex-fuel engine-generator.
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 3.6L V-6 flex-fuel engine.
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Cadillac: "Would you also be interested in saving tons of money in development costs while simultaneously tarnishing your hard earned reputation as a builder of high quality automobiles?"
Buick: "Certainly!"
Cadillac: "Back in the 80s we took a piece of crap Chevy and put some leather seats in it. Then we stuck a Cadillac badge on it and sold it to the mentally disabled. We called it the Cimarron."
Buick: "Did you also jack up the price?"
Cadillac: "You're damn right we did!"
Buick: "You guys are brilliant! And which vehicle do you recommend to us for cannibalization?"
Cadillac: "Just walk down the hall and grab the VUE. It's not like those Saturn guys need it any more."
Buick: "Hey thanks again for the great advice. We'll let you know how things turn out."
Cadillac: "Um...that's really not necessary."
Edited by user on August 7, 2009 at 9:34 AM