We're scratching our heads over the camouflaged Saturn Vues our shooters have spotted putting around Michigan over the last week. They still have Saturn badging in the back, but what's with the taped over Chevrolet grille and Buick wheels? And then there's the hybrid badging down the side.
This almost certainly suggests that General Motors is considering a two-mode hybrid version of the Chevrolet Equinox, where you'd have a gas engine joining forces with a pair of electric motors built into the transmission.
But we think there's a chance this hybrid might be a plug-in, judging by the camo over the fender vent -- this is where the plug was on the Saturn Vue PHEV. That vehicle debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
GM officials had said the plug-in Vue would use lithium-ion batteries and go on sale in late 2010, about the same time as the Chevrolet Volt. Notably, though, it was only going to have a 10-mile all-electric range, which almost defeats the point of having plug-in capability.
The other curious thing about the prototypes is that they all have a single exhaust outlet. The Vue Two-Mode Hybrid and PHEV were slated to use a directed-injected version of GM's 3.6-liter V6, and the show cars all had dual exhaust tips. The switch to a single could indicate that GM has decided to use a four-cylinder engine instead -- perhaps the direct-injected 2.4-liter.
We'll have to wait and see how this project develops, but it's clear GM hasn't given up on the idea of building hybrid crossover SUVs.
Update: We've added a photo of another of the "Vue Hybrid" prototypes after the jump. It lacks the Chevy grille treatment (but still has those Buick wheels), but since the shot was taken from the driver side, you can more clearly see the fender-mounted port that would take the charger cable -- not to be confused with the block-heater plug dangling from the front of the vehicle.
throwback says:
11:47 AM, 03/ 4/10
You would think they would not make it so obvious by driving a car with HYBRID down the side.
xprojected says:
12:08 PM, 03/ 4/10
Looks like the Chevrolet Captiva, a rebadged Vue/Antara which they still sell in Mexico. So either they're testing a hybrid for Mexico, or they are bringing it stateside after all. I remember Buick was going to offer something similar but it was shot down quickly by dealers, for whatever reason.
stovt001 says:
12:10 PM, 03/ 4/10
I don't know if a 10 mile all electric range is completely pointless. That can make a decent dent in most daily trips, and by running as a hybrid after that the fuel economy could be pretty good. You can't say whether it will be pointless or not until you know whether the premium over the conventional model and the environmental damage of building and shipping the thing is offset by the fuel savings.
cah11705 says:
03:58 PM, 03/ 4/10
10 miles would work for some people. I personally barely commute over 10 miles a day so i'd use next to no gas everyday, sounds good to me
khaosmatrix says:
07:11 PM, 03/ 4/10
This car is so old, it needs a refresh or total new model. Also the Chevy grill doesn't fit on this car. GM fix this CUV or just bury it.
lmbvette says:
07:04 AM, 03/ 5/10
@khaosmatrix
This car is obviously a mule for the powertrain it contains.
fefan says:
03:16 PM, 03/ 5/10
I'm thinking this is a test mule for possible hybrid powertrain applications. I would love to see a hybrid Equinox and Terrain.
canadvo says:
02:10 PM, 03/ 6/10
Just remember to include a telescoping steering wheel in whatever model they put the powertrain in. The Vue didn't fit me for that reason.
kingisback350 says:
10:58 AM, 03/ 8/10
They should just understand that Saturn is dead. GM should use the hybrid technology in the equinox and terrain.