Wow! GM is really making strides in Europe. Now if they'd only offer some of these wonders here in the US market.

I'll stand in line for a 60mpg 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX (Saturn) Astra!

I wonder how long before this next generation belt-alternator system will make its debut in GM's US line-up.

I wouldn't think this will be the Astra, the Astra (in Europe) is the next model up.
It goes Corsa, Astra, Vectra.
People generally complain about diesel emissions in built up areas - these will be much better, as they have stop/start, they will not be used so much in stop/start situations.
Also, a lot of hot buttons here: Diesel Hybrid + LiOn batteries - all we need is the plug.
So well done Opel - lets get these into production and off the podium.

GM is dragging their heals. The stop/start feature should NOT be considered hybrid. Minimally better mileage is a fraud. Screw GM. Don't buy GM. Don't buy any Saturn psuedo-hybrid. Don't buy a GM Silverado psuedo-hybrid. The hybrid feature to look for is the electric motor drive and continuously variable transmission. Ford and Toyota are the only cars offering that fully advanced drivetrain technology. All cars should be implementing this hybrid model drivetrain. It is the only one that can convert to Plug-in Hybrid. Screw GM.

Wells

Tell us what you really feel dont hold back

Mr. Wells

Toyota is selling Heavy Hybrids with V6 engine in
GS450h, RX400h, Highlander (500 pounds extra for 2008 model) and on top of that, the LS600h model with V8 engine and 500 hp. Do you think that they are hybrids and GM is not.

Ofcourse, Toyota is also selling gas-guzzlers like Sequoia, 4-Runner, FJ-Cruiser and again giving $3500 discount on Tundras.

There is no rule that only cars powered by motor is Hybrid.

As long as a company uses any type of mechanism to save fuel is good. Market for Hybrids (only those with V4 engines) and Diesels are booming and a Diesel Hybrid would be wonderful.

Currently the Rental companies are adding lot of Prius in their fleet, parallelly Taxi-fleets are also purchasing Hybrids. Diesel Hybrid buses and trucks are becoming common, why not in cars.

Wells, this isn't a forum for your personal vendetta against GM. Find another website. Your ignorant post doesn't even warrant a response.

Wow, I too am taken aback by Mr. Wells. This kind of development (mild hybrid in a mass market car) is exactly what will make the most difference in both global warming and energy shortages. Let's get mild hybrid on all new vehicles in five years, together with some full hybrids and clean diesels. Let's also use waste product ethanol and biodiesel wherever possible. Those two things alone could cut emissions (and oil use) 10% in those five years.

Let's do the easy things now, as soon as possible. We can work on the breakthroughs, and they will come, but for now I'll take 10% reduction in five years.

The Astra and Corsa are small cheap(ish) cars. You can only add so much cost to them before they become unaffordable. Hence the stop/start system rather than a full hybrid.
If GM are only starting with hybrids, they will still have high costs initially - give them a few years.
And 62 MPG is nothing to be sneezed at.
What matters is the MPG and CO2 levels, not the methods used to achieve them.

Any technology that reduces fuel consumption should be welcomed.
However, a starter-alternator system with the start-stop functionality can however not be regarded as a "hybrid".
Be aware of Regulation 85 from the United Nations in Geneva which defines what a hybrid is. This definition was developed and approved by the technical experts from the contracting parties i.e. countries accross the globe, including Europe, Japan, Russia, Australia, Asian countries, have signed this (except US and Canada).
"Art. 2.5.1 Hybrid Vehicle means a vehicle with at least two different energy converters and two different energy storage systems (on vehicle) for the purpose of vehicle propulsion"
Especially this last requirement about vehicle propulsion makes that start-stop systems can not qualify as "hybrid".
This does not mean that start-stop is inferior technology - it could even be the most cost-efficient for small cars - but should not be marketed/labelled as such, because this would add to the confusion with customers.

In stead of having a full combustion engine on board, it is much better to use a PMG (permanent magnet generator) for conversion of fuel into electricity. In that case the drive train only requires an electric motor and small fuel turbine+PMG,
see for instance www.pmlflightlink.com/news.html,
which will reduce the complexity, costs and weight of a hybrid car substantially.

Apparently PML Flightlink is champion producer of in-wheel motors & PMGs with highest power/weight ratios.

Jack, I have never worked for GM or even owned a vehicle made by GM, so you can knock off the conspiracy talk. With that said, nearly everyone on this string is jumping to conclusions about what this proclaimed hybrid system can and cannot do. It does not say how much power this version of the BAS can output.

The current BAS can provide up to 10kw of power, but it's often limited from providing that much assist due to it's small, NiMH battery. That version, however, still meets all criteria for a hybrid. It generates/stores electricity during deceleration, it allows the engine to be instantaneously turned on/off, and provides a degree of electrical assist for propulsion. It may not do any of those to the degree that a "full hybrid" does, but it still is a hybrid system. The definition some of you have in your mind is not the industry accepted one.

As this is being billed as their second-generation BAS, and we know it will have a LION battery, it's very likely that this system will be able to produce more than 10kw, and be able to sustain that output much longer. As this is also a much smaller and lighter vehicle than those where the BAS is being used now (Vue, Malibu), this new BAS system is likely to provide a higher percentage of the overall system power than we have seen in the past. All while keeping the cost premium at a minimum.

But sure, GM is certainly evil for proposing an affordable vehicle that averages 62mpg and can be mass produced within a few years.

After carefully having read the full press release at Opel News, I now understand that the system has the capability to take part in the propulsion of the car, which was not clear from the above article.
"When extra power is required, such as when accelerating or overtaking, the motor provides significantly higher torque."
No mention about extra kW.
As a conseqyuence, this vehicle complies to the United Nations definition of hybrid, as no minimum amount of propulsion power is mentioned of the electric motor.
Some countries in Europe, like The Netherlands, require that the electric power is at least 15% of the ICE, in order to obtain government incentives.
The Ford Fiesta "Micro-hybrid" as it has been labelled in Europe, with only a stop-start functionality,which did not add in the propulsion for example does not meet the Geneva definition.
The United Nations definition is known & supported by the worldwide car manufacturers representative body OICA, which is participating in these expert meetings. Individual car makers however may disagree.
Be aware that terms like "mild hybrid" and "full hybrid" are only used by experts in the field to differntiate various hybrid concepts, but in fact do not 'legally' exist.
I hope the above clarifies matters.