Since 2004, General Motors has sold this version of the Astra around the world through different companies like Opel, Vauxhall and Holden. Last year Saturn got its own version of the world car. For 2009 the Astra gets updated to keep it in line with its foreign cousins.
The Saturn Astra is offered in three-door and five-door models, each featuring a taut, European derived suspension that delivers a sharp, responsive driving experience. Power comes from a 1.8L, 138 hp four-cylinder engine, and highway fuel economy for the manual transmission-equipped Astra is rated at 32 mpg; 30 for Astras with the available automatic.
The Saturn Astra comes in two trim levels (XE and XR) for five-door models, and a single trim (XR) in the three-door configuration.
If you can’t get you hands on a Tesla Roadster, there may be a new option — an electric Saturn Sky. Advanced Mechanical Products (AMP) out of Ohio has plans to convert 300 Skys. AMP says the cars can travel roughly 150 miles on a single charge, go 0 to 60 in under six seconds, and can reach a top speed of 90 MPH. The cost of the conversion and vehicle comes to around $50,000.
Did you know the Tesla Roadster and this electric Sky are very distant cousins? The Tesla was based on the Lotus Elise, which was also the basis for the Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220. A front-engined concept was developed for the VX220, and that became the basis for the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky.<
We all know the U.S. auto companies are bleeding cash, and that changes will need to be made to keep them in business. At General Motors, it’s no secret that Hummer is no longer a cash cow and being sold. Now the Wall Street Journal is reporting that other brands such as Buick, Saturn, and Saab, may be slated for elimination. In fact, its been reported that all GM brands, with the exception of Cadillac and Chevrolet, are not yet safe from the chopping block. Each brand’s safety should be up for review at GM’s board of director’s meeting in early Au
Even if the current Saturn Aura had an imposing launch in 2006, sales were much under expectations. Next generation was supposed to be launched in mid 2009 as a 2010 model and built on the Epsilon II platform. The European version of the future Saturn Aura is the newly launched Opel Insignia. It seems that GM has second thoughts about the launch of the future Aura and decided to put the project on hold.
According to GM Inside News, the company didn’t come with an explanation on why such a decision was made, considering it’s pretty odd to come with such a change so close to the product’s launch.
For 2009, the Saturn Aura midsize sport sedan demonstrates that fuel efficiency-minded customers don’t have to sacrifice uplevel amenities such as a six-speed automatic transmission, leather seating, alloy wheels and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, as a new 2.4L four-cylinder Aura XR model joins the Saturn family.
Saturn also has good news for those seeking to go further on a gallon of gas: Both Aura XE and XR four-cylinder models achieve EPA fuel economy of 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg city/highway combined, the segment’s highest non-hybrid fuel economy.
Other enhancements to the Aura lineup for 2009 include standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control on every model and an efficient six-speed transmission on every model except the Aura Hybrid.
The four Saturn Aura models include: the 2.4L I-4 XE and XR; the 3.6L V-6 XR and the 2.4L I-4 Aura featuring the affordable GM Hybrid system.
Saturn revealed the 2009 Sky and Sky Red. For 2009, Saturn adds three new colors, a new wheel and enhanced OnStar technology with Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity. Two new promotional packages also are added.
The 2009 Sky is powered by a 2.4L DOHC Ecotec engine with variable valve timing, producing 173 hp and 167 lb.-ft. of torque. It also features electronic throttle control (ETC) for remarkably precise engine control and response.
The Red Line performance model is powered by an Ecotec turbocharged 2.0L engine, the most powerful production engine in the Ecotec family. It produces 260 hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,500 to 5,250 rpm, making it GM’s highest specific output engine ever at 2.1 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement (130 hp / per liter).
For 2009, Sky gets new, 18-inch by 8-inch five-spoke painted aluminum alloy wheels (polished or carryover wheels with chrome finish are available). Sky Red Line gets a polished aluminum alloy wheel with an optional chrome wheel (interim ’09 model year). Also for 2009, Evening Blue, Ruby Red and a promotional color in limited availability, Hydro Blue, replace Midnight Blue, Bluestone and Carbon Flash as exterior color choices.
Two new promotional packages, the Ruby Red Limited Edition and the Hydro Blue Limited Edition, include a new 18-inch split-spoke aluminum alloy wheel.
General Motors demonstrated its progress on developing a future advanced engine technology for consumers that squeezes more miles per gallon of gas and reduces emissions. GM engineers have brought the advanced combustion technology from the laboratory to the test track and, now, to the highway in a driveable concept vehicle - a Saturn Aura equipped with homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI).
GM demonstrated its latest progress with the HCCI technology during a media test-drive program in the Washington, D.C. and the New York City areas. Journalists drove the HCCI-enabled Aura concept on public roads to get a real-world feel for the efficient and low-emissions engine. HCCI provides up to a 15-percent fuel savings when combined with several additional advanced technologies, while meeting current emissions standards.
The Saturn Aura concept vehicle is capable of operating in HCCI mode during idle, in addition to highway driving. The HCCI operation at idle represents a significant technological advance that GM engineers believe could be the first for the industry. The breakthrough enables a wider range of HCCI operation, extending the efficiency-enhancing benefit of the technology.
Saturn will unveil the next generation Astra at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 and sales will begin at the start of 2010. Pricing will start from £15,500 ($30.500).
The new Astra will feature downsized and turbocharged engines, Insignia-inspired styling both inside and out.
The future Astra will feature much more prominent lower air intake. The rear profile of the five-door will be more upright and practical than its coupe sibling, though the roof still slopes away steeply after the C-pillars. The rear light clusters sweep around the haunches and will feature LEDs. It will be offered in a sleeker, more sporting three-door, plus estate and folding hard-top variants.
The Astra range will start with a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, already previewed in the Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept. There it produced 170bhp (or 200bhp running E85) but expect lower-power variants too.
Saturn demonstrates that clean, practical transportation and stunning design can go hand-in-hand with the electric-drive Saturn Flextreme concept, introduced today at the North American International Auto Show. Featuring General Motors’ breakthrough E-Flex electric propulsion technology that provides up to 34 miles of all-electric, emissions-free range, as well as a sleek, monocab design, the Flextreme looks as clean as it drives. >> read
Saturn announced today at the North American International Auto Show that production may begin as soon as 2010 on a plug-in hybrid electric version of the Saturn Vue Green Line, expected to be the first regular production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Depending on a consumer’s drive cycle, the Vue plug-in hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle offered by a major automaker. >> read
Picture Gallery
Post a comment
RSS -
Webmaster free news |
System Administration