Saturn Astra

[Pyro-Andrew]

yeah i know this was posted b4. But it was just talking about it being ripped off of Opel and Holden. Europe and Austrailla alwasy get the cool better cars. Anywyas......Whats the word on this? good car? or what??

[02csnow]

Well it is the 2007 North American car of the year and 2007 recommend buy from Consumer Guides. The sounds pretty good to me.

[Pyro-Andrew]

no not the AURA, the ASTRA. the rip off of the Vibe pratically.

Attached files

[02csnow]

opps, i read too quickly sometimes.

[Vibe_dude]

Quote, originally posted by Pyro-Andrew »no not the AURA, the ASTRA. the rip off of the Vibe pratically. This baby is no copy of the vibe.......this is areally nice car....it may have some lines as the vibe.toyota wish it could design and build a car like this.I would like to take one out for a drive.

[Whelan]

From the http://www.saturnfans.com websiteOpel, Saturn to Share More ModelsSaturnFans.com • February 6, 2006 There's been more and more talk lately about Saturn and Opel collaborating on future models. The two General Motors brands hope to gain synergies across their lineups, and share in their respective markets, by more closely aligning their models. The result will be a set of vehicles that will cater to a customer base that will span multiple continents.The changes will give the traditionally American Saturn brand a distinctively more European look and feel, which will go a long way towards differentiating it from the softer-styled mainstream Japanese cars it was originally designed to fight. For Opel, working with Saturn means access to new models, such as the SKY-based Opel GT and an upcoming large sport-utility. "The alignment of Saturn and Opel is opening up totally new possibilities for us in the niche segments," GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster told Automotive News in January at the North American International Auto Show. For instance, "a new large Opel can also share a platform with Saturn." The new Opel will reportedly be heavily based on the eight-passenger 2007 Saturn Outlook crossover SUV. Current plans reportedly call for that model to be sold in Europe by 2009.Automotive News reports that "the sharing represents an increasing amount of technology exchange between Opel and Saturn. For example, in 2009 the successor to Saturn's ION compact car will be derived from GM's global small-car platform. That platform also will be used for the 2010 Opel Astra." Opel managing director Hans Demant told the magazine that "Saturn vehicles will increasingly resemble Europe's Opel models."Saturn and Opel Will Work Together on New Models SKY (2006), GT (2007) AURA (2006), Vectra (2008) Outlook (2006), Flagship (2009) VUE (2008), Antara (2006) ION (2009), Astra (2010) In addition, the collaboration may also lead to Saturn entering new market segments in the United States. Sources tell SaturnFans.com that the company is seriously considering offering its own version of the Opel Zafira compact van sometime in the near future.Basically yes they do share similarities with other GM cars, but in terms of looks, they are basically right off the boat for the most part.Saturn Sky / Opel GTSaturn Aura, Opel VectraSaturn Outlook / Opel FlagshipI could not find a good enough pic to post, but you get the idea.Saturn VUE / Opel AntaraSaturn ION / Opel Astra (which will be the Astra for the U.S. market we believe)Now what Saturn really needs to do is bring over some other models from Opel like the VXR8!6.0L V8RWD414HP405lb. ft. torque0-60 in 4.9 seconds

[northvibe]

I like the astra! I also liked the WTCC chevy.. I would love to buy a ford or GM car again so hopefully in a couple years some great cars will be out! they are on their way though for sure. The Euro technology is fantastic so hopefully we get some diesels too

[joholste]

The VAUXHAL VXR8(thunder from down under) is on the same platform as the Holden HSV and what many assume will become the Pontiac G8 GXP. not a shabby car...but if it comes to the states that's what it'll come as not as a saturn.

[Whelan]

I've heard the rumor about the Pontiac G8 GXP. But I also think that Saturn could benefit from a similar version. GM has always made competition between its brands. Think back to the days of the muscle cars and even recently with G5, Cobalt, Ion's. If it had a Saturn badge I would be more apt to buy it since I came from Saturn blood years back owning 2 SL's. I would def. look at the Astra if it came with AWD or the VUE redline.