The popular Saturn Vue receives significant interior and exterior styling upgrades for 2006, adding to the appeal of this safe, fun-to-drive compact SUV. The Vue's design upgrades reflect Saturn's commitment to bring a higher level of vehicle refinement to complement its established reputation for customer care.
Among updates for 2006, Vue offers OnStar standard on all models, and includes Advanced Automatic Crash Notification and one year of the Safe & Sound plan. The addition of OnStar as standard equipment builds upon the Vue's established reputation for safety, earning the maximum five stars for driver and passengers in both front- and side-impact tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Vue Red Line, which made its debut in interim 2004, also receives an array of upscale interior and exterior enhancements for 2006. The Red Line version starts with Vue's impressive 250 horsepower 3.5L V-6 and adds performance handling to the package.
Redesigned interior
The Vue's interior has been reworked to be more refined and functional, with a design that is thoughtful and attractive
Specific enhancements include a newly designed center stack and door trim; a new center console that provides additional functionality and storage; and radio controls on the steering wheel. For a touch of luxury, leather-appointed seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are also available.
A new family of radios, featuring an upscale appearance with flush design and chrome accents, includes an input jack that accommodates portable MP3 units and other electronics, and a new digital signal processor provides improved sound quality.
New fabric on V-6 models lends a clean, contemporary look to the interior enhancements. The interior design also includes a number of Vue's popular, clutter-fighting storage solutions, such as a rear cargo organizer that flips up to hold grocery bags, and side storage bins that can hold a gallon of milk, water bottles or other cargo.
The Saturn Vue's redesigned interior balances style, space and versatility in a spacious yet efficient package with room for five people plus 30.8 cubic feet (872L) of cargo space. With the 70/30 split second-row seat folded flat, cargo area volume increases to 63.8 cubic feet (1,807L). The front passenger seatback also folds flat to help transport long items including bed rails, an 8-foot ladder and other large items.
The Power Package is standard on all Vue models for 2006 and includes cruise control; power windows, door locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry and the Saturn Security System. The standard auto-dimming inside rearview mirror includes a compass and outside temperature display.
Exterior enhancements
The 2006 Vue receives several important exterior enhancements including all-new front and rear fascias with an integrated step pad; and new hood, grille and headlamps with jeweled emblem.
In addition, the V-6 models will feature optional projector-beam fog lamps and bright bezels. Roof rails are available on all Vue V-6s, except for Red Line.
Saturn's unique polymer body-side panels provide a rugged and dent-resistant body that can help boost resale value by helping to prevent annoying and expensive-to-repair parking lot dings.
New exterior colors for 2006 are Cypress Green (available at start of production) and Fusion Orange (available late fall 2005), replacing Dragonfly Green and Storm Grey.
Entertaining all the options
Vue owners spend a lot of time in their vehicles, so personalized entertainment is important. Beyond the upgraded, standard AM/FM stereo with CD, options include an optional DVD rear-seat entertainment system. Back-seat passengers can view a movie on a fold-down, 7-inch (178-mm) LCD screen. The system includes remote control and dual wireless headphones, so rear passengers can listen to CDs or watch a movie while front-seat passengers can listen either to the DVD program or to the car's regular radio system .
Three optional audio systems include MP3 readability: CD with MP3, six-CD changer with MP3, and a CD/DVD with MP3, making it iPOD compatible.
Also available is XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only). XM Satellite Radio provides more than 120 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $12.99 a month. In addition, GM customers with GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.
Plenty of powertrain choices
Vue has always offered a wide range of powertrain choices, allowing customers to select the driving dynamics that fit their personal needs and style without sacrificing power, performance or efficiency.
Vue offers an advanced 3.5L V-6 engine that delivers 250 horsepower (186 kw) and 242 lb.-ft. of torque (327 Nm). The engine's variable-valve timing helps enhance high-end power, low-end torque and fuel economy. With EPA fuel economy rated at 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, the V-6-equipped Vue is the most fuel-efficient V-6 FWD to date.
Despite impressive fuel economy, the Vue boasts the most powerful engine in its segment: The 250-hp 3.5L V-6 gives the Vue an estimated 0-60 mph time of approximately 7.5 seconds.The V-6 is mated to a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with grade logic control, which helps eliminate hunting between gears – a feature especially beneficial on hilly roads. Specifically engineered for Saturn Vue by Honda, the powertrain also provides towing ability up to 3,500 pounds.
The base engine is the Ecotec 2.2L inline four-cylinder. This 16-valve, 143-horsepower (107 kw)* engine is notable for its combination of performance, efficiency, low maintenance and smooth operation with technology familiar in premium engines, including hydraulic roller finger valve operation and electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle.
The standard transmission for the four-cylinder, front-wheel drive Vue is a five-speed manual that delivers excellent smoothness and durability. The manual transmission includes a synchronized reverse gear, allowing the Vue to shift into reverse without grinding if the driver shifts before the car is fully stopped.
The Hydra-Matic 4T45-E four-speed automatic transaxle is offered as an option with the four-cylinder, front-wheel drive Vue. This transmission is known for its reliability, smoothness and efficiency and with the Ecotec 2.2L inline four-cylinder engine is expected to deliver 22mpg in city driving and 27mpg on the highway.
The Vue is equipped with an advanced electric power steering system for precise steering at lower speeds and confident feel on the highway. Four-wheel independent suspension is a key to Vue's controlled ride and responsive handling on a wide range of surfaces.
All 2006 Vue models can be flat-towed.
Known for high safety standards
Like all Saturns, Vue has a reputation for high safety standards, earning top five-star government crash test ratings for front and back seat occupants in both frontal and side impacts.
The Vue starts with a structure designed to help absorb the energy of a crash while protecting the integrity of the passenger compartment. Standard, frontal dual-stage air bags for both driver and front passenger are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. The Vue also has pretensioners in the front safety belt system that engagesat the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing.
Another notable safety feature is an available head-curtain air bag system, which helps protect both front- and rear-seat passengers in a side-impact collision.
GM's Passenger Sensing System is new in the Vue for 2006. PSS uses the latest sensing technology to turn the front passenger air bag on or off. If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is designed to automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal collision. A status indicator on the instrument panel alerts occupants that the passenger air bag is on or off. Even with this system, GM strongly recommends restraining child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in the second or third row of the vehicle. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active air bag. GM also recommends that all children 12 and under ride in the rear seat when possible.
The Vue features OnStar Dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. OnStar's digital equipment also includes enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada . Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.
The OnStar service standard on the 2006 Vue includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.
Vue Red Line offers sporty appearance package
The Vue Red Line's bold new front grille is drawn directly from the highly acclaimed 2007 Saturn Sky roadster and the Saturn Aura sedan concept. Estimated start of production for the 2006 Vue Red Line is fall 2005.
Interior enhancements for 2006 include all of the other Vue interior changes plus sleek ebony leather-appointed seats with suede fabric inserts; ebony carpet and safety belts; six-way power driver seat adjuster and a unique instrument cluster faceplate and metallic foot pedals.
Other Vue Red Line's custom interior features include metallic foot pedals; embroidered floor mats and ambient footwell lighting that can be personalized to either Cool Blue or Warm Amber.
The sporty Red Line receives an external face lift as well. The unique grille, distinctive front fascia moldings, a body-color liftgate handle and a body-color license eyebrow give this performance-oriented vehicle an even sleeker, streamlined look.
The Vue Red Line's stiffened suspension is lowered more than one inch (26 mm) and the vehicle rides on aggressively styled 18-inch aluminum wheels with P245/50R18 Bridgestone Turanza performance touring tires, a combination that contributes both to sportier handling and a "slammed" appearance. The electric power steering is calibrated for a sporty feel. The Vue Red Line comes standard with the 3.5L V-6, 250-horsepower (186 kw) engine.
The performance-tuned Vue Red Line is available in both front- and all-wheel drive, giving customers a true sport-tuned choice in the compact SUV market.
Source: Saturn
