Good News For Saturn Fans: Talking About Diesel Power for US Astra

[YSSMAN]

Leftlanenews.com shows a print ad that has come out a week before the press preview of the new 2007 Saturn Aura. Power numbers (according to the ad) are 248, presumably for the 3.6L DOHC VVT V6 from the Cadillac CTS and Buick LaCrosse. The transmission is most likely a variant of the old standby, the 4L60E, but I would not be surprised if it recieves a 5-speed unit from the CTS by days end. Of course, the car is based directly off the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra, as the majority of Saturn's new products will be built alongside the European twins, and will have most of their development done in Europe as well.

Notice at the bottom as well, there is the Saturn Sky RedLine, the high-performance version of the 2007 Saturn Sky roadster that should be hitting showrooms very soon. Of course, it shares it's platform and engine with the new Pontiac Solstice GXP, another high performance Kappa car, of which both will be powered by the same 260HP 260lb-ft 2.0L direct-injection I4. Hopefully prices will stay low, as the Saturn sky RedLine may be a good alternative vehicle when compared to the Honda S2000 or Audi TT.

On the boring side, we also have the Saturn VUE GreenLine, GM's all-new hybrid crossover. Although it is what I consider to be GM's first "true" hybrid. The VUE GreenLine will be the first in a whole lineup of hybrids to come from GM, including a new Tahoe Hybrid, and sonn the possibility of an Impala or Grand Prix Hybrid after the switch to RWD in 2008.

 

[Joey D]

I'll take the Saturn Sky Redline, that is one drop dead sexy car I must say. If it wasn't so impractical for just about everything I would buy one in a heartbeat...but a two seat roadster isn't really made for Michigan or for going anywhere other then a Sunday drive. The Sky also looks worlds better then the Soltice does.

The Aura is nice and I would consider one of those too.

I like Saturn a lot, I think they are up there with the Caddy's in the terms of stylin. And at least people are buying Saturns. If GM dropped these guys they are stupider then I thought.

 

[skip0110]

Looks like after a few years of drifting, Saturn is finding direction again...

 

[95GTIVR6]

Saturn has indeed grown on me. This new fleet of cars is much better than the mid-90's SL2's and such.

The only thing that bugs me is their logo. With a name like "Saturn", one would think they would have updated their brand look. Maybe its just me but I find the logo quite bland.

Anyways, I think Saturn should come out with a hatchback based on the Aveo or something like that. With their styling and Red-Line upgrades, I dont think it would fare half bad if they put some thought into it.

"On the boring side, we also have the Saturn VUE GreenLine, GM's all-new hybrid crossover. Although it is what I consider to be GM's first "true" hybrid. The VUE GreenLine will be the first in a whole lineup of hybrids to come from GM, including a new Tahoe Hybrid, and sonn the possibility of an Impala or Grand Prix Hybrid after the switch to RWD in 2008."

Mmmmm, RWD hybrids.

 

[Joey D]

You realize the logo is of the planet Saturn right?

 

[JCE]

I went to the Dallas Auto Show yesterday and saw an Aura and the Sky in person and they both looked fantastic. The Aura has one killer look--and the exhaust is real cool. I just hope they keep this car intact the way it is...but GM is known for chopping and hacking up concepts before they release the lame production models.

 

[Joey D]

Here I'll contribute my pictures that have a tad bit better resolution

NAIAS 2006

 

[JCE]

Thanks Blazin, I'm waiting on my brother to dump both of his SD cards from his digital cameras between the 2 digicams and my cell phone we took about 320 pictures.

 

[Joey D]

Cool, be sure and post up the pictures.

 

[Poverty]

That vectra doesnt look right.

 

[Slicks]

That's because it hates you.













Seriously, though. These new Saturns (With the exception of the Vue, which looked better before the facelift) look promising.

 

[YSSMAN]

I agree that they ruined the VUE with the new redesign. I don't know what they were thinking, or maybe someone from Ford slipped something into the punch over at GM, but it is one ugly SUV. But, atleast the VUE is a good value, and mechanically superior to most of the other crossovers in it's class. Its a shame that the new Theta-based CX3 won't be comming to the US as the new VUE, but we will see what happens, presuming Opel gets ahold of one and changes it to their liking.

...I want to see what the new Outlook is going to look like. It should debut on Wednesday, so we will see what happens.

 

[Wolfe]

It's too bad that GM's plan is to try pulling the wool over American buyers' eyes with these Opel-sourced cars...they might actually sell more if they followed VW's lead and advertised the "German engineering."

 

[Joey D]

Not all Saturns are Opels, there a Opels that started life as a Saturn. But who cares it's all GM.

 

[YSSMAN]

I don't think GM is trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Anyone who has any knowlege of automobiles or reads anything about any of the Epsilon cars knows that designs are all shared between Vauxhall, Opel, Saturn, Saab, Cadillac, Pontiac, and Chevrolet. All that matters is that it is made by GM, as BX had said.

Personally, I would rather have more of the Opel lineup here in the US that what is allready here. Same can be said with the Holden lineup. GM has said in the past that all of their new cars are going to be globally-based, meaning that variations are no longer going to be regionally specific.

 

[Wolfe]

I don't think GM is trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Anyone who has any knowlege of automobiles or reads anything about any of the Epsilon cars knows that designs are all shared between Vauxhall, Opel, Saturn, Saab, Cadillac, Pontiac, and Chevrolet.

Many, many, many people in the 'states don't have any knowledge of automobiles, and don't read about cars. You should know that.

A coworker of mine had absolutely no idea that her Cobalt was Opel-based until I told her.

But who cares it's all GM.

All that matters is that it is made by GM, as BX had said.

Yes, yes, but that doesn't make Opel an american company. My whole point is that Detroit doesn't deserve a pat on the back for the Cobalt or Aura, and that many people will buy these Opel-Saturns because they're "american."

Not all Saturns are Opels, there a Opels that started life as a Saturn.

Isn't there only one so far? The new Opel GT? Still, the engine is a pure Opel design.

 

[Joey D]

Yes, yes, but that doesn't make Opel an american company. My whole point is that Detroit doesn't deserve a pat on the back for the Cobalt or Aura, and that many people will buy these Opel-Saturns because they're "american."

That's like saying if you buy a Nissan, Renault should get all the credit.

GM is becoming global, they are just taking the best from each division and utilizing it. Its not stealing or fooling anyone...its being business smart, something they should have done a long time ago.

Isn't there only one so far? The new Opel GT? Still, the engine is a pure Opel design.

Isn't the Opel SUV thing based off the VUE?

 

[95GTIVR6]

You realize the logo is of the planet Saturn right?

Yeah, I know. For some reason it reminds me too much of the Oldsmobile emblem before they changed.

 

[Tourettes Guy]

The Redline(modified) VUE looks even more retarded LITERALLY.

 

[Wolfe]

That's like saying if you buy a Nissan, Renault should get all the credit.

Exactly.

GM is becoming global, they are just taking the best from each division and utilizing it. Its not stealing or fooling anyone...its being business smart, something they should have done a long time ago.

Many times, fooling people is being business smart.

I didn't mean to imply that GM was being evil or deceptive -- just that diehard domestic-buyers around the country will be buying German cars.

Isn't the Opel SUV thing based off the VUE?

*Looks it up*

Ah, I didn't even realize Opel had an SUV thing.

Yes, the Opel Antara uses the Theta platform, but Opel engines. It is said that the next-gen VUE will look a lot like it.

The Opel Frontera (the SUV that the Antara will be replacing) was based on the Isuzu Rodeo, and was a body-on-frame SUV.

 

[Firebird]

A coworker of mine had absolutely no idea that her Cobalt was Opel-based until I told her.

How do you figure that? The Astra was the second Delta car, released after the Ion.

Isn't there only one so far? The new Opel GT? Still, the engine is a pure Opel design.

Well, let's see... The Astra is on the Ion's Delta chassis, the GT is on the Sky's Kappa chassis, the Antara is on the Vue's Theta chassis... I count three.

And the GT's engine was designed by GM North America. The GT will be built in North America too.

 

[Wolfe]

How do you figure that? The Astra was the second Delta car, released after the Ion.

So? The Delta platform's development was led by Opel.

Well, let's see... The Astra is on the Ion's Delta chassis, the GT is on the Sky's Kappa chassis, the Antara is on the Vue's Theta chassis... I count three.

See above. And yes, I didn't know about the Antara.

And the GT's engine was designed by GM North America. The GT will be built in North America too.

Sorry, but the Ecotec's development was also led by Opel.

 

[JohnBM01]

Almost ten years ago, Saturn's made some of the ugliest vehicles to ever cross my eyes. Many of them still look dull and plain jane. Yet people insisted knocking Honda for their designs and what they've done. I did a thread on GTP about the Saturn Relay and as the subtitle, "Has Saturn Finally Got it Right?" I commended the Relay's design because it looked 100,000,000 times more decent than the other Saturn designs. I still remember when Spike TV (boo!) had that "Car and Driver" TV show (before the show was no more (boo!)) rip the Ion saying, "we waited seven years for this?"

Times have changed. Motor Trend said this about the Saturn Sky, "A Saturn sports car. No, this isn't a misprint." MPH magazine mentioned a brand new beautiful sports car, but who made it? After all the "boring and generic" comments towards Saturn were swatted away to other usually-attacked car companies, these are two designs that are working very well. The Saturn Sky is a pretty lady and may just be my favorite Saturn of all time. The Aura deal is a very nice sedan (unless there's also a coupe version). The lines sort of scream for a more modest Chevrolet Cobalt, but it is a very nice design. Dare I say- Saturn's getting it right for a change. I've seen both the Sky and Aura concept cars at this year's Houston Auto Show. From what I can tell you, I'm proud there are Saturn designs that I can actually appreciate and commend Saturn for. I am an art person. These things have made a hell of an improvement the past few years. It can only get better if they stick to their guns and keep up the good work.

Approval time.

Out of 100% approval for the Saturn Sky, I'm giving it 96%. And for the Aura, I'll give it 85%. Well done, Saturn.

 

[Joey D]

Isn't the Captiva (maybe?) built on the VUE/Equinox/Torrent platform? And isn't the Captiva going to be marketed as an Opel in parts of the world?

 

[Jay]

Its also going to be a Holden.

 

[Blackbird.]

At least Saturn's going the right way in the looks. 👍

 

[TheCracker]

So this new Saturn Aura shares it's chassis with the Cadillac BLS?

 

[Poverty]

near enough yes. Whilst the BLS gets its chassis from the saab which gets its chassis from the vectra. Nera enough identical all way round.

 

[JCE]

Question is, will they actually produce the Aura AND keep it physically intact? Those wheels and that exhaust are sexy--I hope GM doesn't "tone it down" to continue to get the "older people" segment of society. Now on to the Sky, that car is hot--even the base model. Is it basicaly a Vauxhall 220 or more Lotus Elise? I'd drive one of those if there is enough space for me.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I'll take the Saturn Sky Redline, that is one drop dead sexy car I must say. If it wasn't so impractical for just about everything I would buy one in a heartbeat...but a two seat roadster isn't really made for Michigan or for going anywhere other then a Sunday drive. The Sky also looks worlds better then the Soltice does.

The Aura is nice and I would consider one of those too.

I like Saturn a lot, I think they are up there with the Caddy's in the terms of stylin. And at least people are buying Saturns. If GM dropped these guys they are stupider then I thought.

I agree. The Saturn Sky Redline is a sexy little car. Despite all the bad rumors, Saturns are actually extremely reliable and get very good gas mileage. I have a 96 Saturn and my girlfriend has a 2000 saturn. Heathers is extremely nice where mine is getting wore out. Still great little cars and you cant beat the insurance or gas mileage. We will probably own Saturns the rest of our lives. If mine dies I will buy one just like Heathers.