Saturn

For release: Nov. 29, 2006, 12 p.m. EST

2007 SATURN AURA GREEN LINE HYBRID SEDAN OFFERS AFFORDABILITY AND IMPRESSIVE FUEL ECONOMY

LOS ANGELES –TheSaturn Aura Green Line hybrid, introduced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, will deliver at least a 25-percent fuel economy improvement over the non-hybrid Aura XE for a premium of less than $2,500.

The Aura Green Line’s base price is expected to start below $23,000.

“The introduction of the Aura Green Line broadens Saturn’s commitment to customers of enabling them to drive green without going broke,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “With Green Line variants of both Aura and Vue, Saturn again demonstrates that environmental products can also be a great value.”

The 2007 Aura Green Line will be produced at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant, and will be available at Saturn retailers in spring 2007.

The Aura Green Line is equipped with the GM Hybrid system, which reduces fuel consumption fuel via sophisticated controls and a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed transmission. This is the same hybrid system that debuted this year in the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line and will be used in the all-new 2008 Vue Green Line, also being unveiled today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

“The Saturn Aura Green Line is the first of four hybrids GM will introduce in the 2007 calendar year, more than any other manufacturer,” said Tom Stephens, group vice president, GM Powertrain. “Equipped with GM’s 2.4L, four-cylinder Ecotec engine and the GM Hybrid system, the Aura Green Line will deliver spirited performance, as well as a significant improvement in overall fuel economy compared to the current Aura.”

Fuel-saving performance

Aura Green Line’s innovative hybrid powertrain is rated at 164 horsepower (122 kW)* at 6400 rpm* and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5000 rpm.* While maintaining the vehicle’s sporty feel, the GM Hybrid system seamlessly reduces fuel consumption by:

The new GM Hybrid system provides additional power, when required, during launch from the electric motor/generator. At wide-open throttle, such as during a passing maneuver, the system enhances acceleration by using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine and achieve maximum power.

The GM Hybrid system also is designed to automatically maintain full accessory functionality when the vehicle is stopped, including climate control, so that hybrid operation is transparent to the driver and passengers. The Aura Green Line delivers an appropriate balance between fuel economy and cabin comfort with an air conditioning system with two selectable modes. The Hybrid A/C mode favors more fuel efficient performance by limiting the draw on the hybrid powertrain, while the normal mode provides maximum passenger comfort in hot climates and enhances defogging performance.

Based on the all-new Saturn Aura midsize sedan

The Aura Green Line hybrid sedan is based on the all-new Aura midsize sedan, which blends Saturn’s new, European-inspired design language and high levels of refinement with the brand’s customer-focused purchase and ownership experience.

The Green Line features the same comprehensive safety package that earned Aura a full five stars in government frontal and side-impact crash tests, placing it among the safest vehicles available. Key standard features include dual-stage frontal, side-curtain and thorax protection air bags, along with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and the OnStar safety and security system.

GM’s hybrid strategy

The Aura Green Line is one of 12 hybrids GM will launch, providing customers with several levels of fuel economy savings at different price points on vehicles ranging from cars to full-size SUVs.

GM launched the world’s first hybrid pickup trucks in 2004. GM also will offer the world’s first two-mode hybrid system for passenger vehicles in the new, full-size Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs in 2007.

*SAE certified. 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.

# # #

Contacts:
Brian Brockman
Saturn Communications
Phone: 313-665-4232
Mobile : 313-682-5117
E-mail: brian.j.brockman@gm.com

Brian Corbett
Manager, GM Hybrid Communications
Phone: 248-857-0323
Mobile: 586-612-6569
E-mail: brian.corbett@gm.com

2007 SATURN AURA GREEN LINE PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model:

2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid

Body style / driveline:

sedan / front-engine, front-wheel-drive with GM Hybrid System

Construction:

body-frame integral

EPA vehicle class:

midsize car

Manufacturing location:

Fairfax Assembly Plant, Kansas City, Kan.

Key competitors:

Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid

Engine

Ecotec 2.4L I4 Hybrid

Type:

2.4L DOHC inline 4-cylinder

Displacement (cu in / cc):

146 / 2393

Bore & stroke (in / mm):

3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98

Block material:

cast aluminum

Cylinder head material:

aluminum

Valvetrain:

dual overhead camshafts, roller-type finger followers, 4 valves per cylinder

Ignition system:

distributorless, coil-on-plug module and extended-life platinum-tipped spark plugs

Fuel delivery:

sequential injection with returnless fuel delivery system

Compression ratio:

10.4:1

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):

164 / 124 @ 6400 rpm*

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):

159 / 215 @ 5000 rpm*

Recommended fuel:

regular unleaded

Fuel cut-off (rpm):

6900

Emissions controls:

positive crankcase ventilation, variable valve timing, 2 catalytic converters evaporative system

Engine control:

E67 controller with Hybrid Supervisory software

Hybrid System

Application:

GM Hybrid System

System type:

motor / generator

Motoring torque:

>60 Nm

Motoring power:

>4 (mechanical)

Generating power:

>5 (electrical)

Battery pack:

NiMH

Battery pack peak power (kW):

>10 kW (delivering or receiving)

Transmission

 

Hydra-Matic 4T45

Type:

4-speed automatic

Hybrid features:

auxiliary oil pump, specific electronic controls

Gear ratios (:1)

 

First:

2.95

Second:

1.62

Third:

1.00

Fourth:

0.68

Reverse:

2.14

Final drive ratio (:1):

3.05

Chassis / Suspension

Front:

MacPherson strut with aluminum L-shaped control arms; direct-acting stabilizer bar

Rear:

four-link independent with twin-tube gas shocks; dual-rate mini-block coil springs; direct-acting stabilizer bar

Traction control:

all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention

Steering type:

electric-power-assisted rack-and-pinion

Steering ratio:

16.2:1

Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:

3.1

Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):

39 / 11.9

Brakes

Type:

four-wheel disc with four-channel ABS

Rotor diameter

front: 11.65 / 296, ventilated
rear: 10.63 / 270, solid

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:

16-inch cast aluminum

Tires:

P215/60/R16 low-rolling resistance

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):

112.3 / 2852

Overall length (in / mm):

190 / 4851

Overall width (in / mm):

70.3 / 1786

Overall height (in / mm):

57.6 / 1464

Track (in / mm):

front: 59.9 / 1523; rear: 60.3 / 1533

Curb weight (lb / kg):

3528.5 / 1600.5

Interior

Front

Rear

Seating capacity:

2

3

Headroom:

39.4 / 1000

40.5 / 1028
40.2 / 1021

Legroom (in / mm):

42.2 / 1073

37.6 / 953

Shoulder room (in / mm):

55.9 / 1328

54.0 / 1371

Hip room (in / mm):

53.0 / 1345

52.2 / 1328

Capacities

Fuel tank (gal / L):

16.3 / 62.5

Engine oil (qt / L):

4 / 3.8

Cooling system (qt / L):

9.9 / 9.4

*SAE certified. 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.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.
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