2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid
Although General Motors is definitely in crisis mode, the company is excited about its hybrid lineup including the 2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid. The vehicle is equipped with an Ecotec 2.4L I-4 four-speed automatic engine that generates 164 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque.
“While maintaining the vehicle’s sporty feel, the GM Hybrid system seamlessly reduces fuel consumption by: shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling, enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration, converting vehicle kinetic energy to electrical energy through regenerative braking to charge the advanced nickel metal hydride battery and by performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient.†(Source: GM Media Online)
The Saturn Aura Hybrid has an official EPA fuel efficiency rating of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. For the sake of comparison, the non-hybrid four cylinder Saturn Aura has a 33 mpg highway rating, a 22 mpg city rating and a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg.
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The difference is not that big. Installing a modern 6-speed transmission would help the same or, improved the millage of the hybrid even more.
I have the same engine in my Pontiac G6 rental car including the awful 4-speed transmission. A 6-speed is a must because the 4-speed is so mean to the engine and usually shifts to late or to early.
>enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
And that should have been standard already…
I agree Rene, I was surprised that there wasn’t a larger difference in fuel-efficiency ratings between the hybrid and non hybrid models.
I also looked at the EPA Energy Impact Score of the hybrid vs. non-hybrid and while there is a difference in CO2 emissions, it really wasn’t very significant.