The Saturn Corporation, also known as Saturn LLC, was an American automobile manufacturer, a registered trademark established on January 7, 1985, as a subsidiary of General Motors. Following a failed attempt by Penske Automotive to acquire Saturn from GM in September 2009, Saturn ended production in October 2009, ended outstanding franchises in October 2010, and ceased operations 25 years after it began.
In just a few days, Saturn will publicly unveil the 2008 Saturn Astra, the rebadged Opel that will be imported from Europe to replace the bizarre-looking Ion. In other markets, the Astra is available in a variety of body styles ranging from a four-door notchback sedan to a slick, sporty hardtop coupe/convertible. This is the part where we eat crow for predicting that GM would send over the notchback, because instead, they've chosen to send a pair of hatchbacks ( 3- and 5-door) to launch the model here in the States. The cars will target formidable competitors like the Mazda3 and VW Rabbit.
Saturn's new trim-level nomenclature is employed, with base XE and topline XR versions for the 5-door. The 3-door will be an XR-only vehicle. All Astras receive a 140-horsepower 1.8L Ecotec four-cylinder underhood, which is mated to a 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic. Fuel economy numbers aren't available yet, but should come out as the vehicle gets closer to production.
They sure managed to ruin the front. The
Opel version looks so much better but at least Saturn finally has a car in its American lineup that actually looks good. Let's hope that this will cause incentives to buy one.
BTW, Saturn isn't
Japanese.
BTW, Saturn isn't
Japanese.
Hmmm...at first, I had no idea where this came from. I have to assume this thread used to be elsewhere?
I like that Saturn is bringing a hatchback to NA (hopefully, this is a trend with other manufacturers
), but I don't like the l;ok of this one (or the Astra, on which it's based).
I'd be caught driving a 3 door version... in black!
It's funny - these new Opel models are so attractive that even GM's Saturn division is unable to ruin them... despite their valiant attempts. For those of you who haven't seen, the Saturn Aura took what was a completely good interior and watered it down to the point where much of the charm is lost. On the other hand, the exterior is so attractive, the price is so decent and the performance is so compliant that the car is a very legitimate contender to the new Toyota Camary.
Americans who are unaware of the Opel brand are pretty much scratching their heads in amazement as this parade of good models make their debut.
The 3 door looks completely decent. Heck, you could almost get me into one! (Hey! Wait a minute...)
I agree, but if you guys saw what this car is replacing you'd be down on your knees in praise. May I present to you the POS Ion that this comparitively gorgeous Astra replaces:
If you guys elsewhere wonder why GM is in the trouble they're in, this is why. This is about the ugliest, nastiest little piece of junk GM makes today, and people actually buy it, though in shrinking numbers every years. The panel gaps are a mile wide, the interior is even worse looking:
I positively HATE this piece of JUNK. What the hell are you supposed to look at through that huge, bus-like steering when the gauges are off the right? Whoever designed this "car" should be taken out behind the factory in which it is built in and SHOT.
M
That said, the transformation of the Saturn lineup has been nothing short of a miracle. The new Sky Red Line, Vue, Outlook and now Astra really makes this the best looking lineup of cars from any American brand IMO. All they have to do is get rid of that stupid Relay minivan, which is another hold over from the Junk Era at GM.
M
Banned
Nürburgring Navigator
OK. These are the performance figures for the Vauxhall Astra 1.8 16V VVT. I reckon, these will be the same figures for the Saturn version which basically it is just like the Opel/Vauxhall and Holden version.
__________________________
*1.8 16Valve 4 Cylinder 140 Bhp*
*5-Speed Manual or 4-Speed Automatic*
*5-Door Hatch and 3-Door SportHatch*
____________________________________
Top Speed - 5-door Hatchback
- Manual: 125 Mph
- Automatic: 115 Mph
Acceleration 0 to 62 Mph - 5-door Hatchback
-Manual: 9.5 seconds
- Automatic: 11 seconds
______________________________
Top Speed - 3-door SportHatch
-Manual: 130 Mph
-Automatic: 120 Mph
Acceleration 0 to 62 Mph - 3-door SportHatch
-Manual: 9 seconds
-Automatic: 10.5 seconds
I fear that Americans will find the Astra 1.8 to be underpowered, and American magazines will bash it for having a 4-speed Automatic gearbox. But then again, I cannot entrust any positive credence upon the judgment of ANY American car magazine.
I reckon GM should definitely sell the Astra in North America RIGHT NOW, with the new 1.6 16V Turbo 176 Bhp as well the VXR 2.0 16V Turbo 240 Bhp version as the "Saturn Astra Redline".
I've got a question. It may sound stupid, but why don't they sell them as Opel's?
I've got a question. It may sound stupid, but why don't they sell them as Opel's?
It cost GM billions of dollars to get Saturn up & running...I can't imagine they're ready to get another brand going in NA, as I doubt many Americans know about Opel, at all.
Hmmm...at first, I had no idea where this came from. I have to assume this thread used to be elsewhere?
It was.
Europe test it from 2004.....2007
2007 facelift with ''new'' 16 turbo motor workded OK
Now in european market this car is old so USA's turn from 2008
