2007 Saturn Aura Green Line in Detail

By Noah Scott

General Motor's Saturn division has released the details and the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid. The car is now beginning to arrive in Saturn dealerships straight from General Motor's assembly plant in Kansas City.

Jill Lajdziak, Saturn General Manager commented: "The Aura Green Line is a great value among the hybrids in the mid-size car segment. With a starting sticker price over $2,000 less than any mid-sized hybrid sedan and a $1,300 tax credit, it makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before."

Because the Aura Green Line is a hybrid model, consumers expect that the vehicle will have a clean and lower exhaust emissions and low fuel consumption. The 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid received an official fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to GM's Saturn division, "The Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway represents up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE model."

With a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of $22,695 USD, Saturn said the 2007 Aura Green Line Hybrid has the lowest price in the hybrid vehicle segment for 2007.

As a hybrid vehicle, the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line is equipped with a powertrain package that combines a precise electric motor or generator with a 2.4-liter petrol engine. Overall powertrain output is 164 hp (122 kW) at 6400 rpm and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5000 rpm, mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, and GM thermostats. With this powertrain feature, the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line provides better fuel economy, thanks to the electric motor that assists the engine to produce power output during acceleration. The electric motor can obtain and replenish its electrical energy by regenerative breaking.

Key standard features found on the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid include 16-inch alloy wheels, SBRP215/60R16 BSW touring tires, daytime running lights automatic headlights with automatic on/off, rear window defroster, front dual sunvisors, front and rear body color bumpers, front air dam, and halogen headlights.

Interior and safety features include body color folding power adjustable exterior rearview mirrors, power windows with driver one-touch up and one-touch down, dual-stage front air bags, side head-curtain and front-seat thorax protection air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control (ESC), four-wheel disc brakes with anti lock braking system (ABS), and GM's OnStar safety and security system.

Meanwhile, Saturn has announced that it will launch the Vue Green Line SUV featuring front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform and GM's new 2-mode hybrid powertrain system by 2008.