Hybrid line is growing family at Saturn

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Tom Loy wrote:

and I just looked at the 2009 saturn aura hybrid. GM goes to all the trouble of designing a hybrid, and then adds a 4 speed auto, while the non hybrid gets a 6 speed auto? Who's running GM? The three stooges?

70plyRR wrote:

OK, so which of you two can actually provide factual information that six speed transmissions are continuously providing increased MPG while remaining monetarily feasible to replace all transmissions with the aforementioned in all applications? Read the question carefully.
While I agree the six speed is a good idea, it hardly improved the Silverado’s MPG. To list the “be all end all” and emphasize a six speed as the factor is a tad quick to continuously degrade, unless one can prove otherwise. Frankly I
hear much hype about the six speed, with very little factual info. It works in a Malibu, but it doesn’t necessarily work in all applications i.e. trucks (when factoring feasibility vs. cost). Hey, why not move forward with the eight? GM already has the patent on that one.

Tom Loy wrote:

<quoted text>
And if GM had starting implementing 5 and 6 speeds years ago, when then first starting coming out, they wouldn't be in this predicament. And I checked some of the 2009 silverado's and didn't see one of the 09 silverados that even had the six speed as an option. And if you want facts the six speed improve mpg, just check the difference between the 2008 saturn aura and the 2009. EPA mileage goes up by 3 mpg on the 2009 saturn aura. The only difference I saw was the change from a 4 speed auto to a six speed. The curb weight was the same, the technical specs didn't list the rear end ratio, but since the 08 was 3.05, I can't see them dropped that much.

70plyRR wrote:

<quoted text>I am talking about the monetary feasibility of the six speed (in all applications, specifically trucks) not the question of whether it improves MPG. Malibu with a six speed and 4 banger requires the LT package and an upgrade to the six. That brings it to 22K-23K MSRP. Now look at a cobalt of which you can probably get for around 15K with haggling and incentives factored in, possibly allowing a 7K – 8K difference.
Also the XFE gets a massive 37MPG on the highway.
AS for the trucks - the new EPA ratings state it gets the exact MPG as the four speed, no change. This is where I am trying to focus. I want to know why. I also want to know how one can argue the six in it. Hey, I like the extra gear but I really don’t see the big deal pertaining to MPG.
My old Ram had a 5 speed and still it only mustered 14/17 respectively when I sold it, and that included a CAI and freed exhaust. It was also a standard cab. I could only guess what it would be with a 6spd, I don’t think it would be that great.