General Motors’ Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid has been a longtime in the making, but the company’s bankruptcy and subsequent sale of Saturn to Roger Penske has ensured the vehicle will never see the light of day. However, the Saturn Vue’s plug-in drivetrain is not completely DOA and could surface in surprising vehicle.
Since the Saturn Vue shares much of its platform with the Chevrolet Equinox , GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX , it was widely assumed the Vue’s plug-in system would be given to one of those vehicles. However, a new report suggests the Vue’s plug-in technology could be destined for GM’s fourth brand.
According to GM-Volt.com, GM is readying a new compact crossover for Buick . The new CUV will be based on the Vue’s architecture, making it easy to offer the new CUV with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Although GM has yet to unveil the new Buick model, a CBS interview with GM design head Ed Welburn seems to have spilled the beans on the new project. In the background of the footage a clay model of a Buick CUV is clearly visible. The overall size of the vehicle appears to be similar to the Vue, with styling reminiscent of the larger Enclave. Although there is no official timeline for the new Buick CUV, expect to see it in Buick showrooms by 2011, with a plug-in hybrid likely to follow a few months later.
