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July 16, 2008

GM's future products to have a Euro-flavor according to Bob Lutz

boblutz.260.jpg

No sooner had GM CEO Rick Wagoner delivered the sobering news regarding GM cuts, Bob Lutz was right there to confirm that there is a lot of life left in what we can expect from the General in terms of future products. More to the point, the recently rumored cutting of brands was not a part of the discussion. Nope, all the current brands are to remain in place according to Lutz.

The biggest change that we can expect is that products from GM (and other vehicle makers too) will have a decidedly European/international flavor to them. That means less trucks--and the trucks that do remain will be smaller and more efficient. Expect more smaller cars and fewer cars with big V8s. No longer will the American car market be different from that of Europe and elsewhere.

"This is a difficult transition but once the transition is made, it's going to ease our problem of no longer having to produce unique vehicles for the American market," Lutz said. "In the future, anything we create worldwide is available to use to either import or produce in the U.S."

For a quick glance as to what's in store, check out AutoObserver's editorial:

GM: Remapping for a More Euro-Style Vehicle Landscape

April 10, 2008

A "What if" scenaro for GM

Checking in on Peter De Lorenzo over at AutoExtremist.com, and as usual, he has some interesting if not thought-provoking ideas. This time it's a "What if" scenario for a future GM, and this of course, is in a perfect world. By that I mean if franchise laws, etc., could be resolved to make this work.

Here's the short story version: The only divisions that would exist here would be Chevrolet, Cadillac and Hummer...

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March 11, 2008

NHTSA looking into Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice brakes

NHTSA have launched a probe into Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice brakes, as there have been 40 complaints, one involving a crash. It should be noted the vehicles in question are the turbocharged Solstice GXP and Sky Red Line. There have been no complaints on non-turbo models from either brand.

This is not good news, especially since Consumer Reports has just recently given the Solstice and Sky only a so-so rating...

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January 15, 2008

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Panasonic 16-inch screen

This is a working prototype of Panasonic's new 16-inch in-car video screen. It can split and play two video sources or play one source in a variety of aspect ratios. This demo vehicle is a Saturn Outlook but look for it to show up in other all-new vehicles Panasonic already provides video screens for -- Chevrolet, Nissan, Honda, Lexus and Toyota. In fact, the Nissan Quest will soon be getting an entertainment system branded as Panasonic...

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January 14, 2008

2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line Two-Mode Hybrid



"Saturn is a green brand for General Motors and we use the Green Line brand to promote that," Troy Clark, Saturn division president, told the sweaty crowd packed around GM's main stage at Cobo Hall. "I think 2008 will be the year when we double down and raise the bidding."



The 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line Two-Mode Hybrid constitutes the majority of the company's chips in this game of chance (that presumably involves only Toyota and Ford). It's a major enhancement upon the standard Vue Green Line Hybrid, which has a four-cylinder engine and a very small electric motor that provides minimal motive force. Instead, the two-mode starts out with a direct-injected version of GM's 3.6-liter V6 and combines that with a pair of 55-kilowatt electric motors housed in its automatic transmission (presumably some type of CVT).

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2008 Detroit Auto Show: Saturn Flextreme, the Rebadged Concept Car



Saturn has been quite open about its plans to repackage various Opel products for American consumption. However, you may not have realized that commitment extended to rebadging concept cars. Accordingly, the Saturn Flextreme is a dead ringer for the Opel Flextreme concept shown in Frankfurt, right down to its snazzy wheels.



Fortunately, it's an attractive car so we didn't mind seeing it again. It looks like a futuristic rendering of a five-door Astra, and it's the only car we know of with gullwing cargo doors.

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January 11, 2008

Full Test: 2008 Saturn Astra XR Three-Door

Full Test: 2008 Saturn Astra XR Three-Door

Saturn's sporty new hatchback comes to us via Germany. It has a 1.8-liter inline-4 capable of 138 horsepower and a 5-speed manual transmission.

It brings a stylish and peppy little player to the entry-level hatchback class.

Are you a fan of hatchbacks?

Read the Saturn Astra Full Test on Inside Line...

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January 7, 2008

Detroit Auto Show Preview: 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid



In computer-speak, what you see here is the Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid v.2.0. GM, however, prefers the label of Saturn Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid. Whatever.

This new CUV will debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week in FWD guise...

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January 4, 2008

GM's Northstar engine may be heading south



Latest word is that the successor to the GM Northstar V8 engine has been killed, and that the Northstar may be replaced by GM's excellent 3.6L V6. That engine, the direct-injection DOHC 3.6, puts out 302 horsepower, which is uncomfortably close to the 320 horespower that the 4.6L Northstar puts out. The 3.6 also gets two mpg better gas mileage than Northstar V8.

This raises question about the Lambda platforn CUVs (GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook), as a version of the Northstar was slated for those vehicles...

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November 8, 2007

Follow-Up Test: 2008 Saturn Vue Red Line

2008 Saturn Vue Red Line

Inside Line tested the 257-horsepower 2008 Saturn Vue Red Line, the sportier version of the much-improved second-generation Vue.
 
Read the Vue Red Line road test on Inside Line.

2008 Saturn Vue Red Line

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

October 31, 2007

A new era for GM states Bob Lutz

"It's a substantially improved world, and I would say our situation product-wise, reputation-wise, labor-cost-wise is probably the best it's been in 20 years," GM's Bob Lutz said in an interview at a media event in Memphis to promote the launch of the refreshed Chevrolet Malibu. "I would say all of the stars are aligning very nicely. ... But are the worries over?..

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September 27, 2007

First Drive: 2008 Saturn Astra

2008 Saturn Astra

Inside Line drove the new Saturn Astra on Germany's autobahn.

The 3- and 5-door hatchbacks feature a 138-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, and starting price in the mid-to-high teens.

Could the Astra be the best small car GM has ever sold in the United States?

Read the Saturn Astra First Drive on Inside Line.

2008 Saturn Astra

2008 Saturn Astra

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

August 14, 2007

First Drive: 2007 Holden HSV Astra VXR

Holden Astra

Australian performance specialist Holden Special Vehicles introduces the Lotus-engineered Holden Astra VXR, a possible sneak peek at a tuned-up version of the 2008 Saturn Astra.

Its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 has been pumped up to 240 hp.

Read the Holden Astra First Drive on Inside Line.

Holden Astra

Holden Astra

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

July 26, 2007

Saturn Astra spotted testing in the U.S.

Driving North on Interstate 15 in central Utah today I spotted three Saturn Astras in what's likely the final phase of durability testing before the car is released here this fall. There were three cars with all the usual gauges and gizmos that go with durability testing bolted to their dashboards. And three unmistakably geeky engineers behind the wheel. Here are the only shots I was able to get...

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July 24, 2007

Long-Term Test: 2007 Saturn Aura XR

2007 Saturn Aura XR

We've added the North American Car of the Year, the 2007 Saturn Aura XR, to our long-term fleet.

It has a 3.6-liter V6 capable of 252 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. Mated to the engine is the all-new Hydra-matic 6T70 six-speed and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

Read the Introduction on Inside Line...

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July 23, 2007

2007 Hybrid Sedan Comparison Test

Hybrid Sedan Comparison Test

Putting green to the test.

Inside Line assembled the three top players in the hybrid midsize sedan market. It's the Nissan Altima Hybrid vs. Saturn Aura Green Line vs...

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June 13, 2007

First Drive: 2007 Opel Astra 1.8

Opel Astra

Meet the Astra...soon to be docking at a Saturn dealership near you.

Inside Line drove the 2007 Opel Astra, which will be coming to the U.S. as the 2008 Saturn Astra. GM spent a lot of time perfecting the Astra's look and refining the interior with easy-to-operate quality equipment...

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May 15, 2007

Saturn Dream lineup







GM InsideNews has got info and illustrations on what Saturn has in mind for the future, and it's tasty indeed. There are to many models and images to post here, so I'll tease you with a few, and let you check out the link here.

Images from top to bottom:

• 2012 Aura, aimed at the VW Passat, with engines in the 2.0 to 3.6 range
• 2011 Astra, aimed at the Civic, A3, Impreza, MazdaSpeed3, etc, with engines in the 2.0 to 2.4 range
• 2011 Switch, which will take on the Honda Ridgeline, with engines in the 3.6 to 4.6 range

I'll tell you what: It wasn't long ago in which I had little hope for Saturn. Not any more after seeing what they've got in store down the road...

March 19, 2007

Saturn Aura Green Line least expensive hybrid

With hybrid sales on the decline, now is a good time—best time ever, actually—to buy a hybrid of any sort. To top it off, the Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid is the least expensive one out there.

The Saturn Aura Green Line has a $1,300 tax rebate. Its Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, including delivery fees, is $22,695, which makes it $195 less than the Toyota Prius...

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February 7, 2007

2007 Chicago Auto Show: Name Game and Imported Domestics

Ford Taurus

A couple of themes immediately jump out on this first press day of the Chicago auto show. Much of the buzz is around car names. It started with Ford renaming the Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego and the Ford Freestyle as the Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X, respectively. The pros and cons of Ford's move were debated...

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2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Saturn Vue Red Line

The debut of the 2008 Saturn Vue Red Line isn't the biggest news at the Chicago show, but nonetheless, the restyled Red Line deserves its 15 seconds of blog fame.

Available this fall in front-wheel- or all-wheel-drive configurations, the Vue Red Line gets a 250-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lowered-, sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels.

A large front airdam, rear spoiler and chrome-tipped exhaust pipes help the Red Line stand apart from the standard Vue. — Kelly Toepke, Manager of Vehicle Testing

2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line

Saturn dealers will be receiving the restyled 2008 Saturn Vue in just a few weeks, but shoppers interested in a Green Line hybrid version will have to wait until later this year.

We'd tell you more about the 2008 Green Line but why bother? The 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line will offer GM's new two-mode hybrid system instead of the current technology, so today's buyers will be getting yesterday's lunch.

GM claims the future two-mode hybrid Vue will offer a 45-percent improvement in fuel economy over the non-hybrid model...

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2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Saturn Astra

This morning Saturn's general manager, Jill Lajdziak, officially pulled the wraps off of the 2008 Saturn Astra, the little darling of this year's Chicago show. One of two new nameplates debuting this week (Pontiac's G8 is the other), the Astra isn't really new, just new to the U.S. Sold in Europe as the Opel Astra and in the U.K. as a Vauxhall, the Astra has already enjoyed success abroad as Lajdziak reported more than a half-million Astras were sold in Europe last year...

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January 7, 2007

Detroit Auto Show: And the NACTOY Winners are...

2007 North American Truck of the Year goes to the Chevrolet Silverado, while Car of the Year is the Saturn Aura.

That's a sweep for GM this year, which has to add some momentum to GM's positive direction in the past few months.

Congratulations GM!

—Karl Brauer

December 28, 2006

Saturn Hybrid debuts as NYC taxi

Industry Insider: 12/28/06

A Saturn VUE Green Line recently was put into service as a taxi in New York City.This is the first GM vehicle to be approved by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission since 1996 when GM discontinued the rear wheel drive Caprice. GM's goal is to show other taxi operators that the VUE Green Line is an affordable hybrid taxi vehicle.

 The VUE Hybrid vehicle , now in service, has received very favorable comments from the driver and customers, according to owner/operator Placida Robinson. The Hybrid VUE has a sunroof and premium stereo system...

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December 7, 2006

FV Report: 2008 Saturn Astra coming next year


GM announced yet another new Saturn today. The 2008 Saturn Astra will hit the market late next year in both three-door and five-door hatchback configurations. Recently unveiled at the Bologna auto show as the Opel Astra, Saturn's version will debut at the 2007 Chicago auto show virtually unchanged.


December 1, 2006

Saturn: GM's environmental division



Image: General Motors Photo/Steve Fecht

Industry Insider: 12/01/06

Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak introduces the new Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show Wednesday. The Aura Green Line will deliver at least a 25-percent fuel economy improvement over the non-hybrid Aura XE, for a premium of less than $2,500.
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General Motors is smartly positioning Saturn as its environmental division, an appropriate position many of us outsiders (and some Saturn/GM insiders) have been advocating.

At this week's Los Angeles show, Saturn/GM took another step toward establishing Saturn as the GM environmental brand with the introduction of the Aura...

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November 29, 2006

All-Aboard : GM's 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line

Another example of GM's commitment to hybrids arrived at the LA Auto Show today in the form of the Aura Green Line. This new addition to the Green Line family offers 25% better fuel economy than a standard Aura XE and expects to sell for under $23,000.

If today has shown anything so far, it's that GM is serious about alternative fuels and minimizing the impact of their vehicles on the environment. We'll have to see how well they do with the hybrid Aura when it goes on sale early next year...

November 24, 2006

No new GM minivans

Not only is Saturn not getting a new minivan, but neither will any of the other GM brands get new minivans either. So GM is following Ford here in pulling out of the minivan market, and will be out of the minivan business by 2008.

Does that mean GM is giving up on the people-mover market? No, not at all, as they will be putting all their eggs into the large crossover market...

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November 22, 2006

No minivan for Saturn

GM has just canceled plans to build a Saturn minivan. The Saturn minivan had been tentatively planned for production at its Spring Hill factory, but that's no longer the case. The company also said it would find a new vehicle for workers to build there, thus allaying fears of the plant's closure.

“They’re going to get something,” said Tony Cervone, a GM spokesman...

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November 16, 2006

Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice Receive Continuous Upgrades

The folks at GM are sending their two sportscars off to finishing school. The duo of compact roadsters receive power door lock button and adjustable-height driver’s seat in response to customers’ requests
 
The Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice would be the perfect sunny day playthings but for a handful of frustrating shortcomings. Fortunately, the company is engaged in a program of continuous improvement which has already seen a reinforcing brace added between the transmission and differential, a more suitable third gear ratio and more effective sealing of the roof against wind noise.
 
Now the company has gone further, installing a power door lock button in the cockpit and a power seat height adjuster...

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October 2, 2006

FV Report: Automotive News weekly update

Here's the latest on future products from this week's edition of Automotive News. Saturn will continue to integrate Opel vehicles into its lineup with the addition of the compact Corsa hatchback. The current Corsa is all-new this year in Europe, but the version headed for the States will be the next-generation model due in roughly four or five years. About the size of cars like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, GM now feels the U.S.
market is receptive to cars of that size.

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September 28, 2006

Paris auto show: Opel Antara


Want to know what the 2008 Saturn Vue is going to look like? Then take a look at the Opel Antara. Saturn is beginning to adopt designs pulled directly from Opel's studios and this Antara will be one of them. It was introduced for the first time this morning and although it doesn't look quite as striking as the Antara GTC concept shown last year it's not bad for an SUV.

GM kept the shtick level low with nothing more than a short intro video and some words by Euro design chief Bryan Nesbitt of PT Cruiser fame. The most riveting aspect of the press conference came when Nesbitt lost place among his huge handful of index cards and stood in silence with little to say. He was no doubt hugely embarrassed, but we couldn't help but think he would have done much better if GM simply told him to go up and talk about the design of the Antara. Instead, they hand him a full deck of cards chock full of corporate jargon and tell him to make it sizzle. Kind of makes you wonder if that's how the cars get designed at GM too.

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August 29, 2006

GMC will offer a minivan by 2009



Inside Line reports that GMC will offer a minivan for model-year 2009.

Okay, the first question that will likely come screaming out of many mouths: WHY? Doesn't GM offer enough minivans already? The answer to that is that GM plans to discontinue the Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza and Pontiac Montana by 2009...

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May 26, 2006

Saturn Vue Green Line: Lowest hybrid SUV MSRP & best highway fuel rating

The new Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid will have a sticker starting at $22,995, making it he lowest price hybrid SUV on the market. In addition it will have a 27/32 city/highway EPA rating, giving it the best highway EPA rating of any SUV on the market.

Snippet: “The Vue Green Line proves you can go green without going broke,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “With a starting sticker price almost $4,000 less than any competing hybrid SUV, it makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before.”


May 25, 2006

Saturn dealers won't be allowed to add ADMs to the Sky

Inside Line reports that Saturn dealers won't be allowed to add ADMs to the Sky, as this runs contrary to Saturn's image. This is good news for consumers. It may even help with those who prefer the Pontiac Solstice, in that if those dealers try to gouge customers, all they have to do is walk down the street to their local Saturn dealer.

Snippet: Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak said that orders are still being taken for the upcoming 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line and she promises Saturn dealers won't gouge customers who want the hottest version of the new roadster...

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April 13, 2006

My Personal Show Stoppers

Or maybe "show stoppers" is too strong, as there was nothing here in New York that truly brought down the house. Still, there were some notable introductions. Here are some cars that, in my thoroughly subjective opinion, stood out from the herd.

Audi TT
Very cool looking...

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Full Coverage on Inside Line: 2007 Saturn Outlook

2007 Saturn Outlook

Outlook is good. Get the full story on the 2007 Saturn Outlook with video and seven photos from the show floor.

Full Coverage on Inside Line: 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line

An interesting blend of style and performance. Get the full story on the 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line with five photos from the show floor.