Riddle Me This... a 2009 Saturn Teaser

[Charlie]

A new story entry has been added:

Riddle Me This... a 2009 Saturn Teaser

Saturn posted a cryptic message on its ImSaturn blog yesterday, teasing readers about a future announcement that's either related to the brand's 2009 models or an initiative that Saturn plans to roll out next year.

[prof]

A guess would be that the 4 and 6 cyl. hybrids getting 33 mpg.

[rossao1]

Originally Posted by prof

A guess would be that the 4 and 6 cyl. hybrids getting 33 mpg.

That is close to what I am thinking. I say, 4 cyl w/ 6sp gets 33MPG.

The "XXXIII" has me baffled.

[John10]

I think Rossao1 is onto something.

Regardless, my retailer, Saturn of Route 33, couldn't be positioned better if XXXIII is the theme of some new Saturn marketing effort.

[d16tr]

XXXIII

Partial cylinder operation 3 + 3 ??? By "partial" I mean cylinder deactivation.

[madpogue]

XXXIII - an adults-only inline 3-cylinder engine....

[onefunkar]

v6 hybrid vue that can run on 4 cyl with displacement on demand

[nasaman]

Originally Posted by onefunkar

v6 hybrid vue that can run on 4 cyl with displacement on demand

I agree. And the upcoming Plug-in Vue could be designed for an electric-only range of 33 mi & its V-6 to run on either 6 or 4cyls for heavy loads, long trips, etc. The "H" (Hybrid) badge might be modified to include a small subscripted "XXXIII"

[Smokey]

I have seen four VUE test mules here in downtown Phoenix with Michigan plates the past week. They have dual exhaust (must be a V6?) and have a "2 Mode Hybrid" badge on the sides with the standard Greenline badge on the back.

Patrick

[me47452]

Rossao1 is right. 4 cylinders x 6 speeds = 33 miles per gallon (in Aura)

4 cylinder nonhybrid Auras will most likely achieve a 33 rating hwy mpg due to the addition of the 6 speed automatic with TapShift. The TapShift feature improves the EPA rating on FWD Vues by 1 mpg, thus it is standard on all Auras next year. These two changes improve the EPA hwy rating on Auras from 30 to 33 mpg.

If you apply similar logic to the Vue 4 cylinder, its rating with the 6 speed in place of the 4 speed would be 28-29 hwy mpg. Not too shabby.

Going a step further, if take the Chevrolet Tahoe Dual Mode Hybrid and the standard Tahoe and compare the mileage gains of its new Hybrid system over the base model proportionally with the V6 Vue, you can expect around 28 hwy mpg from the Dual Mode Vue. This is with the 3.6 VVT V6 engine. If they add Direct Injection, who knows, it may creep towards 33.

I wouldn't expect the Dual Mode Vue before Summer '09.

Any way you slice it, Saturn is doing huge things to improve the economy of its cars. It feels like we're finally a step ahead of the competition!

[John10]

Originally Posted by me47452

Any way you slice it, Saturn is doing huge things to improve the economy of its cars. It feels like we're finally a step ahead of the competition!

Innovate quickly, get the right products to market or die. These may well be extraordinary times in the course of economic history. The near future will not be kind to those who guess wrong.

[dschrader]

The 4cyl x 6 speed auto answer is correct. By achieving 33mpg highway we will be able to advertise the AURA as the most fuel effecient mid size sedan on the road.

Saturn will market the daylights out of this.

[harleyquinn]

Originally Posted by dschrader

The 4cyl x 6 speed auto answer is correct. By achieving 33mpg highway we will be able to advertise the AURA as the most fuel effecient mid size sedan on the road.

Saturn will market the daylights out of this.

Is this just the hybrid's numbers?

They can market the heck out of it, but I still can't find one to purchase. What good does marketing do if I can't find one to buy?

[John10]

Originally Posted by harleyquinn

Is this just the hybrid's numbers?

They can market the heck out of it, but I still can't find one to purchase. What good does marketing do if I can't find one to buy?

The 33 MPG Aura should be close to being obtainable without the hybrid if the 2.4 L engine is geared right. I would think the hybrid version would be more efficient for the non highway MPG calculations.

[dschrader]

Originally Posted by harleyquinn

Is this just the hybrid's numbers?

They can market the heck out of it, but I still can't find one to purchase. What good does marketing do if I can't find one to buy?

this is the 2009 Non-Hybrid 2.4 they are talking about getting 33 mpg EPA Highway.

Yes that is 1mpg better than the 2008 Hybrid rating.

[GR898SL2]

If you follow GM as we (or the folks at GMI) do, it's not such a riddle. The teaser is targeted at potential conquest buyers, to pique their curiosity, get them out of their CamCords and bring them into the Saturn fold.

The 6-speed automatic that will be in the 2009 Aura XE/XR four-cylinders has a numerically low final drive of 2.88:1. (I'll have to google the numbers for the Toyota's 6-speed, but I think it's in the low 3's for comparison). Few 2009 four or six cylinder cars in the midsize class will be able to boast a 33 MPG fuel economy rating, so this is an impressive feat for Saturn.

[99saturnrocket]

Someone is dead on its the new 09 Aura getting 33 miles to the gallon which would make it the new fuel economy leader in the midsize market. Pretty cool!! Take that Camary/Accord

[spencerb]

Originally Posted by dschrader

The 4cyl x 6 speed auto answer is correct. By achieving 33mpg highway we will be able to advertise the AURA as the most fuel effecient mid size sedan on the road.

My first thought was that this riddle applied to more than one Saturn model. But that is a very significant feat for the Aura, so I agree that they will run with it as much as possible.

Why doesn't Saturn do comparative ads? You never see any that say a Saturn is better than model x from the competition. I bet they will say "the Aura gets the best midsized mileage" and never mention the Camry or Accord.

[Dirxque2]

Definitely MPG.

[oOgocyte]

You guys have it all wrong.

4x6=24

The teaser claims that 4x6=33, which makes 24=33. That means there's a direct relationship between those two numbers, 24 and 33. It could refer to mileage and the new average that Saturn will hold to all of its vehicles.

It's important to notice, however, the distinction between 33 and XXXIII. Why is it in Roman numerals? It's an allusion to Christ, who began his ministry at age 33. I think Saturn is on the brink of remaking the auto-industry, but it must go through sacrifice--WE must go through sacrifice.

THAT ladies and gentlemen, is how you break down this teaser.

-hector