General Motors has confirmed plans to launch a Buick-badged plug-in hybrid SUV.
GM claims the car will be first commercially available SUV to feature plug-in hybrid technology when it launches in the US in 2011.
A choice of 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines will be offered, and the car will get the same 8kW lithium ion battery pack as the Chevrolet Volt.
Tom Stephens, GM vice-chairman of product development, said, “Buick has always been at the forefront of new technology, so it is only fitting that the brand should debut our new plug-in hybrid technology in a beautiful new crossover.
“This will firmly put Buick, and GM, front and centre in the advanced technology game.”
The GM plug-in hybrid SUV was originally supposed to be the Saturn Vue, but this was dropped when GM sold the brand to Penske.
The unnamed plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds. Recharging the batteries takes around four to five hours.
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