General Motors Europe recently unveiled the GTC concept, which GM’s European head of design Bryan Nesbitt claims “speaks a new design language for Opel in the future.” Part of that future looks like a continuing partnership with Saturn. The American auto maker is beginning to swap both interior and exterior designs with Opel, and vice versa. Saturn’s Aura, one of their new high selling models, is already taking the lead – as it is based off of an Opel Vectra. The Vue is also based off of another Opel vehicle, the Antara crossover. Opel’s upcoming GT looks very familiar, because it is basically a rebranded Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice.

So you may already be use to seeing Opel in the United States – get comfortable with it because Saturn wants to keep this winning partnership growing for years to come.

Early versions ofthe vehicle used a Nickel-metal hydride battery. Nitz says “But now we’re using lithium-ion batteries. We’ve done extensive battery thermal management work in the lab and on the road, and plug-in charge integration is fully operational and undergoing refinement.” There is still more research and development that needs to take place before the plug-in Vue is at a showroom near you. Based on Nitz’s announcement it would appear that the Saturn team are on the right path to getting the vehicle into your garage within the next few years.

Saturn is trimming down the names of its hybrid line after recognizing that the moniker “Green Line” was not practical. Saturn’s most popular hybrid, the Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid, was becoming “hard to write a short sentence about,” says Saturn Spokesman Mike Morrissey. An updated of version of the vehicle is due out in 2009 featuring a slimmer name, the Saturn Vue 2 Mode hybrid, and increased fuel efficiency. Thew model will be powered by a 257 horsepower 3.6 liter V6 engine capable of producing 248 lb-ft of torque. Two 55 kilowatt electric motors help boost fuel economy increasing the vehicles range to 500 miles on a single tank. Other green features include a regenerative braking system, automatic engine idle off, low speed electric only operation and redesigned efficient in-car accessories.