More Saturn News: The Saturn Astra is Here (High-Res Photo)

[YSSMAN]

Opel will unveil its new four-door Astra sedan at the Istanbul Motor Show (November 3 − 12), becoming the fifth model in the Astra range alongside the five-door hatch, station wagon, three-door GTC and cabrio-coupé TwinTop variants.

Based on the two initial photos released by General Motors, the car appears to be identical to the Chevrolet Vectra sedan already launched in some worldwide markets.

General Motors has already acknowledged the next Opel Astra will come to the United States to replace the Saturn Ion. It's a safe bet, then, that the new Opel Astra sedan is virtually identical to the Saturn Ion replacement we'll see in North America in the near future.

(Chevrolet version shown, no word on Cobalt replacement)

I must say that it is a rather striking design that fits well with the needs of Saturns more "contemporary" consumers today. The Aura certainly has hit the ground running with many very positive reviews, although I think its place in the market has yet to really grow, although I am seeing more on the road today than a few weeks ago.

From what I understand the Astra is still reguarded as a pretty good car in Europe, and I think it will fit the bill here in the US. As Saturn becomes poised to compete more and more with Volkswagen, models like the Astra will be critical to maintain sales in the near future. I'm hoping that GM is smart enough to not only bring the sedan, but also the hatchback as well... Its something that has been missing from the GM lineup for far too-long. With younger buyers looking more twards hatchbacks and wagons as viable options to crossovers and large sedans, this could be the car for GM to dip its toes in with.

...It will be interesting to see what kind of an effect a direct import from Europe will done in terms of the rest of the Delta car lineup here in the US, given that the Astra would argueably be the most "hardcore" of all the models if indeed the VXR or OPC model jumps the pond as well...

Wait a tick! Thats it! GM could be smart enough to actually compete with the Caliber SRT-4 and Mazdaspeed 3 with a high-power version of the Astra!

...That is, if GM is smart enough to do it...

 

[Philly]

Wel, I'd assume any Opel model in Europe will come over here. Like that GM has turned the Saturn brand into a series of cars identical to Opels, minus the badge. I like what I see has been happening to Saturn and hope for more.

Apparently the Astra is GM's focus, with half a million different variations on the same car.

 

[JohnBM01]

Saturn styling is finally on point after how many years? I remember when "Car and Driver Television" completely RIPPED the Saturn Ion by making this their final verdict: "we waited seven years for this?" This Chevrolet Astra looks okay. Perhaps an Ion -> Astra deal could work in the States. What do you think the Ion should be replaced with?

By the way, I'm not looking for a fairly average car to be replaced by something big and hideous (Neon -> Caliber). What do YOU think would be a suitable Ion replacement?

 

[YSSMAN]

Well the Astra, generally speaking, is the only other car in GM's lineup that could really compete head-on with the foreign competition. If they can price and equip the car properly, it should guarantee a success for Saturn (and thereby GM), but then it becomes more of a question of how Chevrolet and Pontiac will play "catch-up" with their own Delta models.

 

[Johnny]

That car is the Brazilian Chevrolet Vectra. Fully designed in General Motors Brazil Design Studio, using the Opel / Vauxhall Astra as model base. More pics and info (in portuguese) here: http://www2.uol.com.br/bestcars/testes2/vectra-1.htm

Other cars designed by GMB Design Studio: Chevrolet Meriva, Chevrolet Corsa Sedan, Chevrolet Montana, Chevrolet Celta, Chevrolet Prisma, Chevrolet Prisma Y (pics from the Sao Paulo International Auto Show: http://www2.uol.com.br/bestcars/saloes2/sp06-22.htm ), Chevrolet Sabia,...

 

[JCE]

Looks a million times better than the fugly Ion. I think GM's making a smart business move by bringing over some Euro models rebadged as Saturns and Holden models rebadged as Pontiacs. My approval rating: 85%. Add an extra +10% if the VXR model shows up.

 

[YSSMAN]

That car is the Brazilian Chevrolet Vectra.

Yeah, I know. It will use the same design though, built on the Delta chassis. Although I am confused by the swapping of the Vectra and Astra names in this situation, it is no less the 2007 Opel Astra with a Chevrolet Badge on the hood.

 

[JohnBM01]

I'm going to roll with JCE3000GT for a moment. He says that it's a good move by GM to bring in some European models rebadged as Saturns and Holdens as Pontiacs. My questions for the rest of you:

(1.)* IS this a good move by General Motors for America's cars?

(2.)* Is it still possible for GM to create quality automobiles without the help of other foreign brands and other branches (for example, GM -> Opel -> Vauxhall -> Holden, etc.)?

(3.) Are there any other GM models that may be potentially successful if ported to the United States? If so, name some.

(4.)* Do you consider GM looking to other GM branches for automobiles to bring to America as a good thing, a negative because GM America can't build wonderful automobiles without the help of others in the States, or neutral?

* = please explain your answer.


Fire away. Sound off. Let's do this.

 

[YSSMAN]

...Let the GM guy go through...

1) Certainly it is a good move! It is based on the same chassis co-designed between GMNA and GME (Delta), and it will use many of the more "American" parts from the ECOTEC etc bin. It will be the European styling, handeling and build quality that will make this a stand-out model. I kinda think of it as GM's "Focus," using a European design in the US to compete (and beat) much of it's foreign competition.

2) I'd easily say that GM can build great cars on both sides of the pond, as well as Australia, but each nation has it's own strength and weakness. Argueably it is GMNA's strength to build trucks and sports cars, while GM Europe does a great job with economy sedans, and GM Australia with the mid-size sedans. Not to say that any of the three can't do one of the other, but I wouldn't go about comparing an Impala with a Passat in most cases...

Between the three branches of GM sharing what they do best at, it makes for a dangerous situation for many other automakers, as GM is committed to bringing all three branches together to create a worldwide model setup.

3) Other GM models to come stateside?
- The Opel Antara is comming over as the next Saturn Vue. It should do fairly well based on it's smaller side and wide options when it comes to engines and transmissions. It will be questionable if it can top the Ford Edge, but we will see what hapens.
- The Opel Corsa is rumored to be comming stateside, but GM isn't sure as the small car market (although in a boom) isn't "on fire" yet. But high build quality and fun-to-drive factors should make it a success, and maybe if GM does bring the Corsa here, maybe Ford will be smart enough to bring the Fiesta as well?
- The Holden Ute is also rumored to be comming stateside, and given that the Zeta program is in full swing at GM (GMNA and GMA working together on that one), it could be a real possibility if there is enough demand for the return of what probably would be called the El Camino. As noted before, it is slightly more capable than the current GMT355 trucks, and to replace them wouldn't be such a bad idea...
- The Holden Adventura would be an interesting idea as well, but I belive it too will be replaced by either the SX3 or the Antara, so no more Zeta-based crossovers... Too bad!

4) I personally don't have a problem with GMNA working with it's other siblings in producing a product for the American market. IMO, no matter what they are GM products... Given that for the most part they will still be built in the US, what it comes down to is if a German or an American penned the design. GM wants to do global, having models nearly interchangeable between the US/Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, etc. Same engines, transmissions, etc... The only differences being some outside appearances, particularly in difference between brands like Pontiac and Chevrolet against the current Saturn/Opel/Vauxhall/Holden grouping.

 

[harrytuttle]

I really want to opine on this, but I just don't care enough about Saturn to say anything useful. Granted, this is the market Saturn should really be heading (if it's to be true to its origins), but the Skye & surprisingly good Vue are just more examples of GM's General Mismanagement.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, I wouldn't say that they are bad ideas in the brand, but they certainly don't fit in with the origional intentions of the brand. But the Sky is argueably the best Kappa model available, and atleast for the next-generation VUE, it is dropping down a size to meet the standards of the European crossover.

 

[YSSMAN]

Okay folks, its offical!!!

General Motors today confirmed it will add the Astra compact car to its lineup late in 2007. The car is already sold by General Motors in Europe under its Opel brand. Earlier this year, GM executives said they would align the Saturn and Opel brands over the coming years. Early examples of this collaboration include the Saturn Sky and upcoming Opel GT, as well as the Opel Antara and 2008 Saturn Vue.

"The Astra is a great fit for Saturn, with its European style and driving dynamics," said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn general manager. "It also signals our efforts to get new vehicles to market quickly and reinvent the entire Saturn product lineup with unprecedented speed."

The Saturn Astra will be nearly identical to the 2007.5 Opel Astra, unveiled this week at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy. It will be sold in the United States and Canada in three-door and five-door configurations. More information will be available when Saturn unveils the 2008 Astra at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2007.

Hi-Res Photo:

Holy hell, they're even giving us the two-door hatchback! Yes! Finially someone at GM sorted things out and they are giving us the products we need to tackle the Japanese!

(can you tell I'm excited?)

Details are few and far between, and I'll update as I hear more. You can expect new pictures once Chicago comes in February, and I'll probably take some while I'm there as well.

 

[Jim Prower]

Oh...wow....

G.M.'s just upped the ante. Now Ford AND Chrysler are gonna have to up the quality.

FINALLY! Decent American Cars! something that's only shown in spurts since the '70s.

 

[TopHat]

Thank you very much YSSMAN, you gave me another reason to buy a Saturn in the future.

 

[usedHONDA]

Something tells me that your a fan of GM, YSSMAN.

I am too.

 

[JCE]

Wow that Saturn *gasp* Astra looks fantastic. Not even the fugly Saturn badge ruins the car what-so-ever. Again, give me a VXR and I'll be happy. Civic Si's need to worry, the VXR will beat them up for their lunch money and sit on them while they eat the lunch.

 

[YSSMAN]

VXR turned Red Line if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure it will happen, and my guess is that they will dump the LSJ (2.0L S/C) and go for the new DI 2.0 Turbo. That will be good for 260 BHP, and should be enough to give the Mazda 3 MPS and SRT-4 a run for the money.

...If anything, I'm more interested in the "stripper" models. Given that it is replacing the Ion, the basic hatchback shouldn't start much higher than $13-14K. If that is the case, and given GM's new reputation of craming in as much standard equipment as possible, I'm wondering if I could drive one off the lot for less than $15K... Given I really only want the 2.4L I4, 5-speed manual, all the air-bags, CD/MP3 with iPod input, 16" alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler.

I'm VERY interested in this car, and I can't wait to see it in Chicago in early February...

 

[Keef]

Wow, that's nice. And actually, there's an aftermarket set of headlights for Cobalts that make them look very much like Opel lights.

Anyway, I'm very eager to see these cars on the street. Too bad they won't be showing it at Detroit, which is where I'll be. Damn. I just hope they don't translate the VXR treatment over to Red Line. I don't think there's on person on this planet that was impressed with any VXRs' performance on Top Gear. The Cobalt SS handles great, and I hope Saturn changes the VXR dynamics so they'll actually turn like an SS.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

I read good reviews of the VXR from both CAR and EVO... it's not the class-leader over there, since there's stronger competition in the form of the Focus ST, but the impression is that the VXR is a hot-hatch in the old-school mold; a little raw and a little harsh, but seriously fast. I suppose it depends on how Saturn wants to approach this; if they want a car that appeals to the younger crowd, bring it over with the current Lotus suspension tuning. If you want it to seem more mature, well, do what you must.

I have to say it's a welcome surprise to see the 3-door coming. I wouldn't have expected that, but it means I'm finally interested in a realistic Saturn (just let me switch the badges back to proper ones ).

 

[skip0110]

I don't think there's on person on this planet that was impressed with any VXRs' performance on Top Gear. The Cobalt SS handles great, and I hope Saturn changes the VXR dynamics so they'll actually turn like an SS.

Top Gear exaggerates understeer when they want to make a car look bad, if you floor the throttle and crank the wheel in any front driver you will get lots of understeer.

They could do the same thing in an Alfa or a Focus ST with the same result, but they like those cars so they don't do it to make them look better than the VXR.

 

[YSSMAN]

I suppose it depends on how Saturn wants to approach this; if they want a car that appeals to the younger crowd, bring it over with the current Lotus suspension tuning. If you want it to seem more mature, well, do what you must.

I have to say it's a welcome surprise to see the 3-door coming. I wouldn't have expected that, but it means I'm finally interested in a realistic Saturn (just let me switch the badges back to proper ones ).

Chances are that GMPD will work-over the Lotus designed suspension a bit, probably so that it hits similar marks set by the current Ion Red Line and Cobalt SS. It shouldn't be too hard, but a good guess would be that GM would choose to send the VXR over to compete against the Mazdaspeed 3 and the SRT-4, so as noted before, their best engine option is going to be the fat-power 2.0L Direct-Injection Turbo out of the Solstice/Sky/GT.

...And about the badges, I was thinking the same thing too. My guess is that conversion kits will come quickly, but I think I would rather use Vauxhall or Holden badges over Opel. But thats just a personal preference...

 

[Omnis]

Saturn's come a long way from the S-series.

 

[YSSMAN]

Hey now, the old SC2 was a pretty good car...

...They were pretty quick, built pretty well, and they were pretty safe. What more can you ask for? Well, more performance is always good, and that good "solid" feeling is always great too.

The Astra will certainly add to the reputation of Saturn, be it an Opel design or not. If they can price the car right, show it well against the American Civic and the new Corolla, they should have a success on their hands.

The only thing we need now is the Ford Focus MKII...

 

[L8 Apex]

Looks (and sounds) like a winner, but I'd still never buy it or any other Saturn after the suits on the 14th floor decided to spare it instead of Olds. 🤬 *Sigh* Woulda been the first Omega that wasn't a turd (early Rocket 350-powered examples being the only possible exception).