Saturn Considering 300hp for AURA

[ragingfish]

Quote »Saturn considers 300 hp for AuraBy Jason SteinAutomotive News / January 17, 2005DETROIT - A Saturn with 300 hp?General Motors is considering a Red Line performance version of its Aura concept sedan that would be capable of at least 300 hp."It makes sense to get there, and we're talking about proposals that could make it happen," says Gene Stefanyshyn, the outgoing vehicle line executive for GM's Epsilon front-wheel-drive, mid-sized car architecture.Last week GM named Stefanyshyn vehicle line executive for Zeta, GM's global rear-drive premium-vehicle program.Stefanyshyn says Saturn still needs approval before committing to a Red Line version of the Aura, but a 300-hp version is possible after a production Aura is launched next summer."The intent is to go up-level with this product," he says. "There will be two or three trim levels, and Red Line seems reasonable."At the Detroit auto show last week, the Aura was shown with a 250-hp, 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 with variable-valve timing, teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission.Jill Lajdziak, Saturn's general manager, says a big jump in horsepower would send a distinct message about the brand."Red Line is an important part of the brand, and it would send the signal that you're going to get real performance," Lajdziak says.Saturn launched the Red Line trim level on two vehicles last year, the Ion coupe and compact Vue SUV.Saturn says Red Line sales average 3 percent to 5 percent of total Ion and Vue volume. http://www.autonews.com/articl...51313My opinion?We're gonna see big things from Saturn in 06!

[ToolGuy]

Time for Saturn to "jump the GM shark", IMO...