Flextreme is Saturn's follow-up version of the 2007's Detroit Auto Show concept hit, the Chevy Volt.
The ecologically minded plug-in Saturn features pure electric propulsion. One motor drives both front wheels.
The on-board three-cylinder 1.3-liter turbo-diesel is only used to charge the car's lithium-ion battery pack. The batteries may also be charged by a standard household current in about three hours.
Running on just electricity, the Flextreme is capable of driving up to 34 miles before the diesel engine fires up to pour life back into the batteries.
Flextreme features many design touches that improve its aerodynamic drag coefficient (Cd).
The base of the hood is pushed way forward, conventional stick-out rear-view mirrors are replaced by flush-mounted rear-view cameras, there are no exposed door handles, and the trailing edge of the roof remains high.
Flextreme features FlexDoors and FlexLoad systems. The FlexDoors feature conventionally opening front doors with reverse opening rears.
The FlexLoad system consists of an electrically powered load floor that literally hands you your stowed luggage.
Since the car is yet to hit the markets, no price range was available.
Image: The 2008 Saturn Flextreme may be a concept, but it shows that General Motors is serious about putting advanced, fuel-efficient hybrids on American roads.
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