RiversideS13

i think saturn had great improvement from styling than before.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-saturn-astra/
http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...urn-astra.html
To complete Saturn’s product overhaul, the company will add the compact, sleek-looking Astra (above) in late 2007 as a 2008 model, replacing the unloved and unlovely Ion (below right) that was introduced for 2003.

0612_sation_sdn_07_245Making its official debut at the Chicago auto show, the Astra is the latest in Saturn’s product synergy between European Opel and U.S. Saturn products, and this one doesn’t even get a different name for North America. It will be nearly identical to the 2007.5 Opel Astra and sold in the U.S. and Canada in both three-door and five-door configurations.

Five-door models come in two trims, XE and XR, while the three-door comes only in up-level XR trim. 16-inch wheels are standard (17s optional) on five-doors, while 17s are standard on three-doors with an 18-inch option. Welcome safety gear includes standard anti-lock brakes and available stability control (standard on the three-door, optional on the five). Supposedly the handsome and expensive-looking interior is unchanged from the Opel’s, which was not the case in the Opel Vectra–to–Saturn Aura transformation.

0612_opeast_5dr_07_245All models will be powered by a 140-hp 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder connected to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The new, much stricter ‘08 fuel economy ratings should put the Astra’s numbers around 23 city and 31 highway (roughly equivalent to 27/34 by ’07 fuel economy standards). Unfortunately, we don’t get the 200-hp 2.0-liter turbo and the six-speed manual that are available in the Opel.

Prices should start around $16,000 for the Astra when it goes on sale this fall.

vanish1

The Opel Astra looks alright.

ThatGuy

You mean the Opel Astra?


Saying Saturn is getting better at design, is like like saying Pontiac did a good job designing the GTO. They both just took existing models and rebadged them for the US market.

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RiversideS13

but i mean sometimes those domestic companies would rebage and alter the design a little bit (to worse). i just think it is great that saturn would adopt the look.

Taniguchi_Is_#1

true, but the sky and aura were in house designs, and i thnk they look good, for saturns. this car should fit in well.

Gilboyto

older style is better IMO

ThatGuy

I thought the Sky was an Opel as well, and Pontiac redesigned it as it the Solstice? The Opel GT I believe.

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irax

dude, dont front that looks like an older civic

the newer style looks like yet another saturn i wouldn't mind owning without the saturn badges

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boosteds13

GM's been doing this for a while now... Cadillac Catera = Opel Omega.

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fromxtor

Quoted for truth.

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SochBAT

Rebadgin = YAY!

Maybe its me, but alot of the new concept sports cars look the damn same.

New Accord = Mitsu X.

ThreadJackMode.

I'm lookin forward to this car, but not its price tag.

atom

Other way around, new Opel GT is based on Sky/Solstice. GM is combining Opel and Saturn so expect more rebadges. Knowing GM though, they won't sell the cool OPC models. Astra OPC is way cooler than a GTI.

SimpleS14

Lets just say GM is getting better at their products...since all these companies fall under one.


Now they have to work some magic on their dying Saab brand.

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exitspeed

Rebadging has been going on for 30+ years. It's nothing new...and is nothing to criticize a manufacturer about. GM designs the cars, not Opel or Saturn. GM is using their Euro line of Opels to sell here in the states because well frankly...they look fuckin great. Ford has some nice models over seas too but they're too fuckin dumb to wise up and bring'em here when their struggling like a one legged man in an ass kickin contest.

The Opel Speedster redesign (Saturn Sky) just went on sale there recently(like 2 months ago). The US market had if for an entire year prior.

All future Saturns will also be Opels and Lutz stated they will be have identical product lines in just a few years. So Saturn=Opel and vise versa.

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