2009 Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid is a go

General Motors is planning to start selling an electric plug-in version of its 2008 Saturn Vue compact SUV sometime "in 2009," Detroit Free Press is reporting citing Saturn's general manager Jill Lajdziak.




Having a powertrain combining lithium-ion batteries and GM's two-mode hybrid system, the electric-powered Vue will be capable of traveling up to 10 miles on a single charge before switching to an internal-combustion engine.



The batteries will possibly be recharged on the go with the help of regenerative braking technologies. There will also be a less convenient option of plugging-in the car to the electric grid via a standard 110-volt household outlet; although the company says nothing about how long will it take to recharge the batteries to full capacity.

There is still no info about the vehicle's price.

See also: Audi Q7 Hybrid SUV: more info

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2007 Mazda CX7 is available in the U.K.

British customers are now able to buy the brand new Mazda CX7 crossover SUV. Formerly available only in Japan and the United States, the sporty crossover has finally come to Europe. The car, it follows from Mazda's press release, will available only in one basic trim and will start at £23,960.




For the money, you'll get a car-based SUV equipped with a noisy 2.3-liter turbocharged engine we've come to know from Mazdaspeed6 and Mazda MPS. It is capable of delivering 260 ps and 380 Nm.



The list of standard equipment includes leather seats, Xenon headlights, 18-inch alloys, air-conditioning, cruise control, parking sensors in front and rear, and a BOSE surround audio system.



See also: Mazda CX-7 is dressing up for Europe

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