All New 2008 Saturn Vue Revealed

Press Release

• Four model levels, including affordable Green Line hybrid and Red Line performance variants
• Six drivetrain choices, including three engines, three transmissions and available AWD
• Sporty ride and handling
• Refined interior with premium materials
• Wide array of standard safety features

Saturn today introduced the all-new 2008 Saturn Vue, a compact five-door crossover vehicle with European design and sporty ride and handling. The vehicle was revealed at the Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show.

The new Vue is the latest Saturn model to showcase the brand’s new design character and intensified focus on driving characteristics. When it becomes available in the second quarter of 2007, it will be the fourth all-new Saturn model since the beginning of 2006 calendar year. The other all-new models are the Sky roadster, Aura sedan and the larger Outlook crossover utility.

“The 2008 Saturn continues the product revitalization at Saturn,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “The all-new Vue is versatile, technologically advanced and loaded with safety equipment. Saturn customers will be as pleased with the vehicle as they are with the customer treatment they’ve always received at their Saturn retailer.”

Saturn also confirmed that it will continue to offer the Green Line hybrid version of the Vue, beginning later in the 2008 model year. When it debuted in the 2007 lineup, the Vue hybrid was the first vehicle to use GM’s new affordable hybrid powertrain.

In addition to the hybrid, the new Vue will be available in XE, XR and Red Line trim levels. These models will offer a wide range of powertrains, including a more powerful four-cylinder engine, and two V-6 choices mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. Later in the model year, a five-speed manual transmission will be available. All-wheel drive is available with both V-6 engines.

Ride and handling

At the core of the Vue’s European driving character is a stiff, steel body-frame integral structure. Ride and handling is augmented by model-specific tuning of spring rates and wheel travel. Front and rear stabilizer bars, MacPherson strut independent front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension, along with a double-isolated engine cradle, add to the smooth ride. Hydraulic power-assisted steering on V-6 models, standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, standard traction control and standard GM StabiliTrak electronic stability control provide outstanding vehicle control.

A towing package with hitch and wiring is available on all Vues. A towing stabilization system uses active braking to help control the vehicle in trailering situations. The Vue (except Red Line) can also be towed as an RV “dinghy vehicle” with all four wheels on the ground.
Safety

In addition to the handling features that help drivers avoid crashes, the all-new Vue helps protect occupants with a long list of standard crash protection safety features. Dual-stage front seat air bags, front seat side thorax air bags and head curtain air bags covering front and rear rows are standard on all models.
Complementing the air bags is GM’s rollover sensing system, which uses sensors to proactively predict vehicle tip-up on a flat road surface and apply brake force to the outside front and rear wheels to reduce lateral force in the vehicle. It also activates the roof rail air bags if sensors determine an impending rollover. Other standard safety features include front-row dual safety belt pretensioners, disengaging collapsible pedals and active head restraints.

Like all Saturn vehicles, the Vue comes standard with GM’s OnStar safety and security system, including a one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound plan. The OnStar service includes Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN), making crash data available to emergency services to potentially dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. If the vehicle is in a crash that activates an air bag, the system automatically notifies an OnStar advisor, who will contact the occupants and summon emergency help if necessary. OnStar also provides remote door-unlocking service and can assist authorities in locating a vehicle if it is reported stolen.

Exterior

The new Vue’s exterior exhibits Saturn’s new European design cues, with a look that is clean, sculpted and distinctively sporty. Tight wheel-to-body relationships, large jeweled headlamps and a sweeping upper profile line contribute to the Vue’s striking design. The tapered roof line is one of the design cues drawn from the PreVue concept shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show.

Another cue inspired by the PreVue concept is the fender accent molding located vertically along the forward front door line. The styling feature is molded in charcoal color and incorporates a side repeater turn signal. Bright accents surrounding the side glass add to the appeal of the vehicle’s profile. The grille proudly displays Saturn’s recognizable chrome brand bar with a large Saturn badge.

Sixteen-inch alloy wheels are standard on XE models, while larger 17-inch alloy wheels come with the uplevel Vue XR. XE and XR models are further distinguished from each other with specific fascias, rockers and wheel opening trim. The Red Line model, to be unveiled later, will sport its own performance-inspired design cues.

Interior

Inside, the Vue continues the upscale theme with refined materials and precise fit and finish. Designers used lighter colors to bring a sense of spaciousness to the cabin, and incorporated an array of useful storage solutions.

The interior offers a host of comfort and convenience features, many of which are uncommon in the segment. These include optional eight-way power driver’s seat; standard flip-down second-row armrest with storage; standard CD stereo with MP3 capability; standard driver information center in instrument cluster; available automatic climate control system with electronic controls; available navigation system; and an optional enhanced convenience package that includes an automatic rain-sensing wiper system, remote start, universal home remote and heated windshield washer system.

Other cabin highlights include:

• Rich materials including chrome accents on the air vents, center stack controls, instrument cluster and speakers
• Bolstered seating upholstered with two levels of flat-woven fabric with specific inserts; leather seating is available on most models
• Low-gloss, low-glare upper instrument panel with embossed grain
• Amber backlighting in the instrument panel and center stack control faceplates
• Ample covered, flocked and damped storage, including a locking glove box big enough for a medium-size purse
• A sliding storage bin under the front passenger seat
• Flat-folding 60/40 split rear seatback
• A rear cargo management system that uses upper and lower rails and storage nets to accommodate storage nets for everything from beverage bottles to home-improvement accessories

Powertrain

No other vehicle in the segment will offer as wide a range of engine choices as the 2008 Vue. The XE FWD and Vue Green Line models are equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec with variable valve timing. It produces 164 horsepower (122 kW) at 6,300 rpm* and 160 lb.-ft. (221 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm.* It is mated to the Hydra-Matic 4T45, four-speed, electronically controlled transaxle. A five-speed manual will be available on four-cylinder Vue XE models in early 2008.

All-wheel-drive Vue XE models come equipped with a 3.5L V-6 engine, delivering 215 horsepower (260 kW) at 5,900 rpm* and 220 lb.-ft. (304 Nm) of torque at 2,800 rpm,* with a broad torque curve and good low-end torque for quick acceleration.

Vue XR and Vue Red Line, are powered by GM’s sophisticated, high-feature 60-degree dual overhead cam 3.6L V-6 VVT that delivers 250 horsepower (186 kW) at 6,500 rpm* and 243 lb.-ft. (329 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm.*

All Vue models equipped with V-6 engines receive the new Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmissions, which helps maximize powertrain performance and economy.
Saturn, a division of General Motors Corp., markets vehicles in the U.S. and Canada through a network of about 500 retailers, with a focus on providing innovative products with solid value and excellent customer service. In 2006, the brand began a major revitalization of its portfolio with four new vehicles: the Sky roadster, the Aura midsize sports sedan, the Vue Green Line Hybrid (all available now) and the Outlook large crossover utility. These new vehicles join the current lineup that includes the Ion small car, Vue compact SUV and the Relay crossover van.

*SAE certification pending. A new voluntary power and torque certification procedure developed by the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March 31, 2005. This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing manufacturers to certify their engines through third-party witness testing. GM was the first auto manufacturer to begin using the procedure and expects to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:	Saturn Vue FWD and AWD; Vue Red Line FWD and AWD; Vue Green Line Hybrid FWD
Body style / driveline:	5-door, 5-passenger front engine transaxle, FWD, AWD compact sport-utility vehicle
Construction:	steel body frame integral (unibody)
EPA vehicle class:	sport utility vehicle
Manufacturing location:	TBD
Key competitors:	Vue: Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty (indirectly) Vue Green Line: Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid

Engines

	Ecotec 2.4L I-4 (L4)	3.5L OHV V-6 VVT	3.6L V-6 VVT	Ecotec 2.4L Hybrid
Application:	std. Saturn Vue XE FWD	opt. on Vue XE FWD, std on XE AWD	std. on Vue XR FWD/AWD; std. on Vue Red Line; transverse mounted	std. Vue Green Line
Type:	2.4L DOHC inline, 4 valves per cylinder	3.5L 60-degree V-6 VVT	3.6L V-6 VVT	2.4L 4-cyl. hybrid
Displacement (cu in / cc):	145 / 2384	213 / 3490	217 / 3564	146 / 2393
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98	3.90 x 2.99 / 99 x 76	3.7 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98
Block material:	cast aluminum	cast iron	sand-cast aluminum with cast-in bore liners	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum	cast aluminum (low-pressure die cast)	aluminum
Valvetrain:	dual overhead camshafts, roller-type finger followers, 4 valves per cylinder	60-degree OHV, 2 valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing (VVT)	dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing	dual overhead camshafts, roller-type finger followers, 4 valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Ignition system:	distributorless design with 58 reference pulses per revolution, coil-on-plug module and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs	Quick Sync 58X; direct iridium electrode tip / iridium core spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires	individual coil-on-plug, individual cylinder knock control	distributorless, coil-on-plug module and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs
Fuel delivery:	sequential injection with returnless fuel delivery system	sequential injection with returnless fuel delivery system	sequential injection with returnless fuel delivery system	sequential injection with returnless fuel delivery system
Compression ratio:	10.4:1	9.8:1	10.2:1	10.4:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	164 / 122 @ 6300 rpm*	215 / 160 @ 5900 rpm (est)*	250 / 186 @ 6500 rpm*	170 / 127 @ 6600 rpm*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):	160 / 217 @ 5100 rpm*	220 / 298 @ 2800 rpm (est)*	243 / 329 @ 4400 rpm*	162 / 220 @ 4200 rpm*
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded	regular unleaded	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Maximum engine speed (rpm):	66500	6400	69500 (fuel cut-off) 68500 (max shift speed)	6800
Emissions controls:	close-coupled underfloor catalytic converter, dual variable valve timing, positive crankcase ventilation, evaporative system	Close-coupled catalytic converter, Quick Sync 58X ignition, returnless fuel rail, fast-response oxygen sensor	Dual close-coupled catalytic converters; positive crankcase ventilation; inlet and exhaust cam phasers with internal exhaust gas recirculation (no EGR/AIR required); evaporative emissions system	positive crankcase ventilation, variable valve timing, catalytic converter, evaporative system
Estimated fuel economy: (mpg city / hwy / combined	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD

Transmissions

	Hydra-Matic 6T70	Hydra-Matic 4T45	MG3 GETRAG F23
Type:	6-spd transverse, electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission	4-spd, FWD, electronically controlled automatic overdrive transaxle	5-spd manual transaxle (later availability)
Application:	std. on V-6 Vue models	std. on base Vue, std on Vue Green Line	opt on base Vue XE (later availability)
Gear ratios (:1)
Range:	---	---	---
First:	4.48	2.957	3.58
Second:	2.87	1.623	2.02
Third:	1.84	1.00	1.35
Fourth:	1.41	0.683	0.98
Fifth:	1.00	NA	0.81
Sixth:	0.74	NA	NA
Reverse:	2.88	2.143	3.31
Final drive ratio:	TBD	TBD	4.41

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	independent, strut-type with specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar
Rear:	independent, trailing arm with three lateral locating links, indirect-acting stabilizer bar, specifically tuned coil springs
Traction control:	all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention
Steering type:	V-6 and Red Line: specifically calibrated hydraulic-power-assisted (HPS) rack-and-pinion XE with auto transmission: column-mounted electric power-assisted (CEPS) rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio:	XE w/CEPS: 18.1:1 XR w/HPS: 16.5:1 Red Line w/HPS: 15.5:1
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	CEPS: 3.46 HPS: 2.7 (XR and Red Line)
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	40.0 / 12.2

Brakes

Type:	front / rear vented disc/drum with power assist and ABS; traction control and stability control; dual piston caliper front/single piston caliper rear
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):	front: 11.7 x 1.14 / 296 x 29 rear: 11.9 x.78 / 303 x 20
Total swept area (sq cm):	front: 67 rear: 38

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:	16 x 6.5-inch aluminum alloy (XE) 17 x 7.0-inch aluminum alloy (XR) 18 x 7.0-inch aluminum alloy (Red Line)
Tires:	P235/65R16 Bridgestone (XE) P235/60R17 Bridgestone (XR) P235/55R18 Hankook (Red Line)