Applied to the bigger Saturn sedan, it's rated at 164 horsepower, 159 pound-feet of torque and notably mated to a standard four-speed automatic, not a continuously-variable transmission like the Altima or Camry.
Unlike the Nissan or Toyota--which can motor solely on battery power for a short time--hence the better city fuel consumption ratings--the Aura Green Line can't giddy up on its electric juice alone.
Does it drive like a real car?
Putting aside the slide rules and abacuses, how did the Aura Green Line stand up to a real, long haul commute? Did Saturn's desire for parsimonious fuel efficiency remove any of the regular-strength Aura's already well-known capabilities as a driver's car?
Like most other hybrids, the Aura Green Line shuts down its gas engine when you decelerate or come to a stop. GM's mild hybrid system also allows the Green Line to retain all of its accessory power when the gas engine shuts down. This relates to the air-conditioning and the radio as well. So sitting in traffic when it's 35 degrees Celsius won't turn the Aura into a sweat lodge.
Initially off-putting, after awhile you get use to the silence at stop lights. Plus there's the guilt-free knowledge that you're not wasting fuel idling.
During the stop-and-go of clogged downtown Toronto traffic, the Saturn's trip computer numbers weren't very encouraging. Averaging 17 km/h, I was only getting 15.2 L/100 km of fuel consumption.
So much for saving the planet...
But by the time I ended in Barrie, 90 kilometres away from the Toronto waterfront, the Saturn delivered a respectable 9.7 L/100 km for the trip. And the Aura was luxury-car quiet the whole way, whether in downtown traffic or through the rolling countryside.
Saturn makes it easier to be green
Like the full-on gas models, the Aura Green Line delivers a comprehensive feel to its steering and handling, without the expense of a harsh ride. The only driving negative is the tranny needs more gears to match the engine's smoothness.
Unlike the Nissan or Toyota--which can motor solely on battery power for a short time--hence the better city fuel consumption ratings--the Aura Green Line can't giddy up on its electric juice alone.
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| The award-winning Aura now gets a Green Line badge. |
Does it drive like a real car?
Putting aside the slide rules and abacuses, how did the Aura Green Line stand up to a real, long haul commute? Did Saturn's desire for parsimonious fuel efficiency remove any of the regular-strength Aura's already well-known capabilities as a driver's car?
Like most other hybrids, the Aura Green Line shuts down its gas engine when you decelerate or come to a stop. GM's mild hybrid system also allows the Green Line to retain all of its accessory power when the gas engine shuts down. This relates to the air-conditioning and the radio as well. So sitting in traffic when it's 35 degrees Celsius won't turn the Aura into a sweat lodge.
Initially off-putting, after awhile you get use to the silence at stop lights. Plus there's the guilt-free knowledge that you're not wasting fuel idling.
During the stop-and-go of clogged downtown Toronto traffic, the Saturn's trip computer numbers weren't very encouraging. Averaging 17 km/h, I was only getting 15.2 L/100 km of fuel consumption.
So much for saving the planet...
But by the time I ended in Barrie, 90 kilometres away from the Toronto waterfront, the Saturn delivered a respectable 9.7 L/100 km for the trip. And the Aura was luxury-car quiet the whole way, whether in downtown traffic or through the rolling countryside.
Saturn makes it easier to be green
Like the full-on gas models, the Aura Green Line delivers a comprehensive feel to its steering and handling, without the expense of a harsh ride. The only driving negative is the tranny needs more gears to match the engine's smoothness.
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| The Aura Green Line's instrumentation now includes a charge-assist meter. |