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Saturn
Aura Hybrid
The 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line VUE Hybrid car is GM's attempt
to lower the price for those customers wanting to get into a
hybrid mid-size sedan. The Saturn Aura Hybrid has a base sticker
price of only $22,695 (including destination fee), which makes
this the lowest price hybrid car around to date.
For those who want an extra bonus at tax time, the Saturn Aura
Hybrid has also been certified by the Internal Revenue Service
for qualifying for a $1,300 federal tax credit. The Saturn Aura
Hybrid will also save more money at the pump than the standard
Saturn Aura as the hybrid version is rated at 28 city / 35 hwy
mpg and the standard version comes in at 20 city / 28 hwy mpg.
In regard to miles per gallon, the Saturn Aura Hybrid is pretty
much on par with the Honda
Accord Hybrid, which is in the same class of midsize
sedans.
The Saturn Aura Hybrid is a mild hybrid vehicle powered by
a 2.4 liter, 164-hp, 4-cylinder engine with power assist by
the electric motor and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack
supplied by Cobasys. The Cobasys NiMHax also powers the Chevy
Malibu Hybrid vehicle as well. Cobasys has also been
contracted by General Motors to develop lithium-ion batteries
for its upcoming Chevy
Volt plug-in electric hybrid vehicle.
The Saturn Aura Hybrid also uses early fuel cut-off during
deceleration and engine idle cut-off at stops in order to save
on fuel. Regenerative braking is used to recharge the battery
pack. The Aura has earned five stars in government front and
side impact crash tests making it one of the safest mid-size
sedans on the market.
The Saturn Aura Hybrid is being assembled at the Fairfax plant
in Kansas City, Kansas and then being distributed nationwide.
The standard Aura received the 2007 North American Car of the
Year award, so GM is banking on both versions of this popular
vehicle to provide it a little bank in the months and years
to come.
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