2008 VUE info...

[BobbyP]

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2008&regionID=1&divisionID=10&type=0&vehicleID=4683&section=modelhome&page=&butID=1

[BobbyP]

Highlights


All new interior and exterior design for 2008
Four model line including XE, XR, Red Line & Green Line
Clean, sculpted, distinctively sporty, European exterior design
All new upscale interior with refined, premium materials and precise fit and finish
Wide array of standard safety features
Sporty ride and handling
Multiple drivetrain choices
More powerful standard 2.4L four cylinder engine with Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed automatic transmission
3.6L VVT 250HP V6 engine with new Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission standard on XR & Red Line models
3.5L 215HP V6 engine with new Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission on XE models
AWD available with both V6 engine
All powertrain configurations are flat or "dingy" towable
Stiff, steel body-frame integral structure
Independent front and independent multi-link rear suspension
Standard four wheel anti-lock brakes
Standard traction control
Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
Standard dual stage front airbags
Standard front seat side thorax air bags
Standard first and second row head curtain side air bags with rollover sensing system
Front row dual safety belt pretensioners
Disengaging collapsible pedals
Active head restraints
Standard OnStar safety and security system with one-year subscription to the Safe and Sound Plan
Available Eight-way power driver's seat
Flat-folding 60/40 split rear seatback
Flip down second row armrest
Ample covered, flocked and damped storage including large locking glove box
Sliding storage bin under the front passenger seat
Standard rear cargo management system
Standard AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback
Standard steering wheel audio controls
Available DVD based navigation system
Available automatic rain-sensing wiper system
Available remote start
Available heated windshield washer system
Available universal home remote system
Available heated front seats in premium cloth or leather

[davidsky]

oooooh, the RedLine has deluxe fog lamps. I CAN'T WAIT! :rolleyes: :snide:

[montrealvue]

The XE AWD V6 looks like a very nice package, hoping black leather will be available for the '09 MY. I noticed the GL doesn't have the possibility of a roof rack.... strange. Hope to see it soon!:)

[SaturnSales]

The XE AWD V6 looks like a very nice package, hoping black leather will be available for the '09 MY. I noticed the GL doesn't have the possibility of a roof rack.... strange. Hope to see it soon!:)

The chrome roof rails are NOT available on the GL and will not be available on the GL. The reason for this, the lower ride height, the rear spoiler, and the low rolling resistance tires, is to reduce the amount of drag. I believe the dealer installed cross bars will still be able to be added on by the dealer but it is NOT recommended. GM does not recommend adding a trailer hitch to the GL either.

[Jerome10]

Is there no front-drive available with the 3.5L V6 engine? I only see AWD showing there.

Wonder why that is.

Also wondering how much difference in feel and economy and power there will be between the 3.5L and 3.6L V6's...

[montrealvue]

Is there no front-drive available with the 3.5L V6 engine? I only see AWD showing there.

Wonder why that is.
With different 7 models being produced, they are meeting the needs/wants of many different buyers. More models won't make all that much difference in the grand scheme of things. The V6 3.5L AWD looks like it will be loaded with features, doubtfully it will be full-time AWD so fuel economy should still be good. This is the same configuration as the '06 AWD but I could be wrong on that one.

[sspeer]

Is there no front-drive available with the 3.5L V6 engine? I only see AWD showing there.

Wonder why that is.

Also wondering how much difference in feel and economy and power there will be between the 3.5L and 3.6L V6's...

I don't understand why there isn't a 3.5 FWD option either. They probably want you to spring for a more profitable 3.6 or the AWD.

It's interesting that at least 2 of us are already wanting that trim. A sign of a gap IMO

That would probaby be the trim that I could afford with the options I'd want. I don't need AWD, and would like the 3.6, but I can see it being out of my price range

I would say the fuel economy difference between the two would be small (as it is in the Aura).

[Jerome10]

Well, I'm not necessarily POSITIVE I want the 3.5L FWD, just that I don't really NEED AWD, and while I love the 3.6L in my aunt's Cadillac CTS (same engine), I have also come to really like the 3.5L pushrod engine I've used in Impala rental cars a couple times. The 3.6L is definitely nice and smooth, but that 3.5L more than gets the job done and I've been impressed with the 29-30mpg fuel economy I've gotten in long cruises in the Impala, at 75mph.

So I guess I'm thinking that while I'd like to HAVE the 3.6L with AWD (nice for getting going in snow, but otherwise why would you really NEED AWD?), all I probably NEED would be the 3.5L FWD. Exactly the configuration they aren't offering. So do I get the 3.6L with the FWD or the 3.5L with the AWD? There's gotta be a reason it isn't offered.

Beyond fuel economy, will the 3.6L take premium? I know the 3.5L requires only regular. Just another consideration.....

My guess is gonna be 2-3mpg difference between a 3.5L AWD and 3.6L AWD.

I'll just have to go drive em and see what I think.....

EDIT: How do I turn on the freakin "quick reply"???!!! I've clicked that little page picture at the bottom right, but never seems to work...

[beanheadz]

:no: It appears that the new VUE will not have the fold-down front passenger seat, which is a shame. I thought that was a great feature for loading long items.

Also, did anyone else notice the "rear seat delete" option? (option code ATY)? Why would anyone want to delete the rear seat?? I don't recall the original VUE having this option.

[spencerb]

:no: It appears that the new VUE will not have the fold-down front passenger seat, which is a shame. I thought that was a great feature for loading long items.I believe I saw a photo with the passenger seat folded down.

[Seasoned]

Jerome 10,

The 3.6 uses 87 octane regular gas. It's the same engine as in the Aura XR. Check it out the next time you are in the dealership.

[06VRL]

It's nice to see that this time around the RL actually gets an official tow rating, now who was that, that said Saturn doesn't learn from it's customers, or it's own mistakes, I must admit, I like the look of the new RL!

Oh! and now you can get a Factory NAV System

[BobbyP]

The metal trim on the brake and accelerator pedals didn't make it to the 2008 VUE. The LED footwell lighting probably got deleted also...

Did anyone notice the limited view through the rear hatch? The sparse instrumentation was replaced by the DIC.

[vintagegz]

actually with the 3.6 engine they say in the owners manual 'for best performance and trailer towing you may wish to use 89 octane'

[homerec130]

With all the "good" stuff on the 08 Vue, we still have the ultimate question - "Did they put in the "Oh s@#t!" handles?

Homer

[sspeer]

The metal trim on the brake and accelerator pedals didn't make it to the 2008 VUE. The LED footwell lighting probably got deleted also...

Did anyone notice the limited view through the rear hatch? The sparse instrumentation was replaced by the DIC.

The footwell lighting did get the axe. If you download the guide again, there are updates from the 9th

[Jerome10]

The XE V6 does look like a nice package, HOWEVER, it appears that the XE only comes with the grayed-out bumpers. To get body color you have to get the XR.

That is really the biggest bummer in my book, otherwise the XE would be just about perfect.

I suppose the good news is the FWD XR is only a couple hundred bucks more than the XE AWD, and the XR gets you the body bumpers, the convenience or premium package standard, and the 3.6L engine. So maybe it isn't all bad...

[aquatechie]

Front row dual safety belt pretensioners


Are these the same type of belts that get progressively tighter every time you exhale? I hate those belts with a passion! My father's last 3 GMC Yukons had seat belts that lock up so tight I can't lean forward to reach the corner where the dashboard & windshield meet. I have to hold some extra slack in my hand when ever I ride in his vehicle. I can't wait until the 08's hit showrooms so I can poke & prod this thing to death.