GM Buick Plug in SUV Expected Release in 2011

The Original Plans Were Based On Saturn Brand

GM originally planned a Saturn plug-in electric SUV for 2001, although plans were altered with the decision to scrap the Saturn Brand. Currently it appears General Motors may sell the Saturn Brand to the Penske automotive group, as part of it's bankruptcy restructuring plans imposed by the government funded turnaround attempt. GM decided to brand the new Hybrid Sport Utility Vehicle as a Buick. Much of the research for the Chevy Volt will help with this project; in fact, GM expects that the real profits from electric vehicles will not be forthcoming until at least the 2nd and 3rd generation models.

Below: A General Motors employee tests a lithium-ion battery (similar to the battery used in the Chevy Volt) which will be used in the 2011 Buick hybrid crossover vehicle.

The 2011 Buick SUV Hybrid Will Use Three Engines

According to Tom Stevens, Vice Chair of Global Product Development, the Buick Crossover Utlity re-chargeable plug-in SUV will be available in 2011. Although the Chevrolet Equinox SUV similar in size to the proposed new Buick SUV, expected improvements will most likely double the gas mileage. In other words, although the new Buick SUV will be similar in size to the Equinox, it get better mileage than the 22mpg Equinox. Unfortunately, the Equinox hybrid cannot be recharged by plugging in. The new model will not only be rechargeable, but it will have three different motors... two electric motors and a 3.6 liter V-6 internal combustion motor. An on-board computer will gauge which motor combination will yield the best mileage based on weight load, temperature, and road conditions. The electric motors will be powered by a lithium-ion battery, produced by LG chem of South Korea. GM has not stated where the vehicle will be produced except that an existing factory will be utilized.

14 New Hybrids Expected in 2012, with one Model, the Volt Expected in 2010

To meet a requirement of the government financed turnaround loans, General Motors has 14 new fuel-saving hybrid models expected in 2012. Aside from the Buick Sport Utility Vehicle plug-in hybrid, described in this article, there are 13 other models expected for release by 2012. Two examples of the expected 2011 vehicles include the Spark Mini Car, the Chevrolet Orlando seven passenger crossover vehicle. At the heart of GM's turnaround efforts lies the Chevrolet Volt, electric vehicle.

GM has high hopes for Chevrolet Volt Electric Car, which has an expected city mileage of 235 MPG and a range of up to 40 miles purely on battery power. Beyond 40 miles a gasoline powered generator supplies a charge to the lithium iron battery, extending the range up to 235 miles. General Motors hopes to grab some market share of the quickly growing hybrid and electric vehicle segment of the market, which is expected to reach at least 10% of all vehicle sales during the next four years. With Honda updating the Insight, Toyota revamping the Prius, and with the Leaf from Nissan, most likely General Motors will encounter some stiff competition.

Related Articles
Learn about the Mini E coming soon from BMW: The BMW Mini E: Tiny Car. Tiny Range
Why Toyota is not making a pure EV yet: Toyota Takes a Backseat in the Electric Vehicle Race
General Motors has plans for a Buick EV: GM Buick plug-in SUV expected in 2011
General Motors banks on the Volt: GM has high hopes for Chevrolet Volt Electric Car

NO offense to GM, but cars like the Fisker Karma really seem to look much better than the GM prototypes ive seen.

the dodge circuit doesn't look that great to me either..

although the chevy volt is not bad...

In a lot of ways, it really comes down to personal preference.