Click above for a high-res gallery of the Two-Mode Vue

Ever since the initial hybrid version of the Saturn Vue, the "different kind of company" chose to go its own way by badging its fuel-saving wares as Green Lines. This designation will be going the way of the Dodo in favor of the much more simple and recognizable designation of simply "hybrid." The reasoning is that the Green Line badge adds unnecessary confusion to Saturn's line of vehicles and is too long for marketing purposes. This becomes especially true as General Motors rolls out new versions of its hybrid technology. Soon, the Saturn Vue will be granted the sophisticated 2-Mode technology as is used on full-size SUVs from GM such as the GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. While the current Vue is well priced considering its decent fuel mileage of 25 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway, the new 2-Mode model will be capable of powering the vehicle on electricity alone and should be available in 2009.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Click on the photo for a high-res gallery of the Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid

The new Saturn Aura Green Line hybrids are now rolling off the assembly line at the General Motors Kansas City assembly plant and should start showing up in dealerships shortly, and with any luck in the AutoblogGreen garage as well. As tax day approaches the IRS has certified that the Aura is eligible for a tax credit of $1,300 which buyers this year will be able to take off on their tax return next year.

In addition to the tax credit, the hybrid Aura gets the lowest base price of any hybrid available on the US market this year, starting at $22,695. The EPA has also given the Aura an mileage rating of 28/35mpg city/highway. The Aura gets the same mild hybrid power-train as the Vue hybrid and the upcoming 2008 Malibu hybrid. The 2.4L four cylinder has a belt-driven starter alternator, start-stop capability when the vehicle is stopped and regenerative braking. The GM press release is after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Derrick got a peek at the new Saturn Aura hybrid at the NextFest a few weeks ago, and for those of you interested in GM's latest mild hybrid, the good news is that production on the test vehicles will start this week and the cars should be available early next year. GM's plant in Fairfax, Kansas will begin making five hybrid Aura Green Lines a week for testing. There's not a whole lot of numbers out about the Aura hybrid, but we do know that standards Auras get 20 mpg in the city and 28 or 29 on the highway, and the hybrid version is expected to get about 10 to 15 percent better mileage. Price for the Aura Green Line has also not been announced.

The Ford Motor Co. plant in nearby Claycomo makes the hybrid Ford Escape-Mercury Mariner sport-utility vehicle. GM's next hybrid should be the Chevrolet Malibu, also coming next year.

[Source: Kansas City Star]