2007 Saturn Aura Preview @ AutoWeek

[NFS4]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060814/FREE/60803006/1009

When founded as a subsidiary (not a division) of General Motors in 1985, Saturn?s aim was to match Honda and Toyota. From the time it started selling cars in 1990, it never measured up on the product side, though its fresh-approach dealer network captured a vital segment of buyers who had sworn off ever again stepping into a Chevy or any other GM store. Saturn engendered loyalty all out of proportion to the objective merit of its cars.

Now Saturn is in the midst of a product turnaround that promises to match or exceed the Cadillac revival for setting things right. This month it is rolling out the Vue Green Line hybrid; we?ll drive the Sky Red Line soon; the Outlook crossover is coming up; and the core product?a mainstream front-drive family sedan?finally merits comparison with the competition.

That?s right. Our experience with a prototype Aura sedan suggests if it?s not a bull?s-eye centered directly on the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, it is darned close. When we asked each of the first three passengers invited into the Aura what they thought the car was, they all said, ?Acura?? They had, perhaps, misread the name embroidered on the floormats, but they also hadn?t seen anything that said, ?Nope, not an Acura.? From the embossed ?Moroccan brown? leather to the cast-skin dash top to the console-mounted shifter, most everything the eye sees and the finger touches appears up to snuff.

Though the design resembles the Opel Vectra, when we parked the Aura near a 2005 Accord sedan, the similarity to the Honda design approach was evident. Mind you, that means it isn?t quite as sporty-looking as the Aura concept car that toured the show circuit early this year?it lacks the concept?s oversize wheels, aggressive fender flares and side skirts. Perhaps we?ll find that mean stance in a Red Line version?

The Aura is a handsome car, clean with a bit of jewelry to declare this isn?t the plain-Jane basic transportation that was Saturn?s forte. But Aura really surpasses expectations inside the cabin. This was a worry. Built on the same platform as the Saab 9-3 and Pontiac G6, the Aura also shares underpinnings with the Chevy Malibu, a competent car that needed a hurry-up interior redo and could still stand upgrades.

?Our aim was to take everything we know about this architecture, keep everything that?s right, and learn from everything that?s not,? says Saturn general manager Jill Lajdziak. In large measure, it appears the design and engineering teams have made the right choices.

For instance, the Aura has hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering standard?in the Malibu you get electric-assist unless you opt for the SS. The difference in feel is significant. We?ll reserve judgment until we experience full production cars, but this Aura?s ride and handling would not disappoint an Accord owner. The Aura?s wheelbase is the longer 112-inch version used in Malibu Maxx, which pays benefits in rear-seat room and ride quality. Handling tilts toward the European approach, with the four-link rear suspension and front struts tuned more like a Saab (or Opel) than a Pontiac.

And it?s quiet, in part attributable to laminated front-door windows and laminated steel doors. The chassis is stiff, too, with 60 percent of the steel in Aura of the high-strength variety, and there is a magnesium cross-car beam at the dash.

Can GM manufacturing meet the quality goal? The Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas, where Aura is being built, scores high on J.D. Power surveys of quality assembly, topping Toyota?s U.S. plants in that measure.

When Lajdziak pulled an early pre-production example off that line in May, she was disappointed by the armrest/console storage-bin assembly. Within hours, in conference with design, engineering and manufacturing departments, Saturn decided to redo the part. The original target date for introduction was late July, but that has slipped to fall, not just because of the console but because of a general philosophy this car has to be right from the outset.

The XE base model uses the 3.5-liter V6 with VVT and a four-speed automatic, similar to Malibu?s drivetrain but upgraded for 2007 to improve the sound quality and refinement of this advanced pushrod engine. All Auras have four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS and traction control, a full array of airbags (including head curtains front and rear, and front seat-mounted thorax side airbags), automatic climate control, power windows, and a center console with sliding tambour door over the cupholders and dual-bin storage. Base price is $20,595 including destination.

Options include a sunroof ($800) and four-panel panoramic roof ($1,500). Power-adjustable pedals are offered in the preferred package. At this writing, we haven?t met a base model, but on paper its 224-hp, 220-lb-ft V6 outmuscles the Accord four-cylinder LX, and the price is slightly below Honda?s.

The XR model we sampled was optioned up from a base of $24,595 to slightly more than $27,000, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels (vs. 16s on the XE), eight-way power driver seat, advanced audio, stability control, seat heaters, remote start, and a choice of aluminum or woodgrain interior trim. The latter is good enough that you have to ask if it?s wood (it?s not), but we prefer the brushed-aluminum look.

From the driver?s standpoint, the biggest upgrade to the XR is GM?s high-feature 3.6-liter overhead-cam aluminum-block V6 with VVT coupled to a six-speed automatic (the first front-drive application for this transmission). It makes a strong 252 hp and, more importantly, follows the Camry example with a displacement advantage over the Honda. This pays off with 251 lb-ft of torque at only 3200 rpm (vs. 211 at 5000 for the Accord?s 3.0-liter and 248 at 4200 for the Camry?s 3.5-liter).

Aura launches smartly from a stop with sharp upshifts from the new transmission that pleased our drivers who approached it as a sporty sedan, but annoyed those who sought the silky smoothness of Camry.

The sixth gear helps the XR post EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 city/28 highway (the XE matches Honda?s V6/five-speed automatic at 20/29 mpg, while Camry?s V6/six-speed automatic boasts 22/31 mpg). Next spring Saturn launches a four-cylinder hybrid Aura employing a drivetrain similar to that in the Vue Green Line, aiming to maximize fuel economy in a segment where Honda uses hybrid technology to boost V6 performance.

Advocates for Honda, Toyota or Saturn can all point to differences to justify their preferences, but the news here is GM finally has a car that merits comparison. We think Saturn may have a hit on its hands. How big a hit?

Lajdziak isn?t taking anything for granted. ?I?m not calling volumes,? she says. ?There are quite a few things Toyota does well, and not forecasting sales volume is one.?

 

[luckysnafu]

Saw one with dealer plates while driving to the store yesterday. Not a bad looking car for being a Saturn. The interior color in those pics is hideous but overall not a bad car I guess. I wouldn't buy one but I am sure some people out there will like it.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Good article. MPG on the 3.6L is disappointing with the 6-speed; GM's 200HP/225TQ 3.8L got 20/28 all day long with a four speed. Frankly I'd almost rather have that than this OHC BS

The rear end looks too much like the G6 for my tastes. I just don't dig the G6's design, dunno what it is

Good luck to Saturn

P.S. Saturn: that brown interior in the pics is the color of dog poo

 

[b0mbrman]

When founded as a subsidiary (not a division) of General Motors in 1985, Saturn?s aim was to match Honda and Toyota....

Now Saturn is in the midst of a product turnaround that promises to match or exceed the Cadillac revival for setting things right

Hmmm...so what niche is GM aiming to fill with Saturn these days?

Chevy is all-encompassing
Pontiac is sport
Buick is semi-luxury
Cadillac is luxury

I'd say it's their "value" brand...except that the Sky and Red Line models sort of mess that up...I might instead say it's their college kid/young couple brand (a la Scion) but with the Ion on its way out, they don't have an inexpensive small car (or hatch) to compete...

[Edit] Not sure where I'd stick a $27k Aura across GM...maybe a Buick?

 

[krunchykrome]

Exterior of the car looks cheap, but the interior looks amazing IMO. I especially love that brown leather. I think the package/model shown in the pics is the $27K model. Too expensive for a Saturn.

 

[feelingshorter]

I dont like how the car looks on the outside. Leather is ok as long as you dont live in a hot area like Texas and park your car outside. I'd buy a v6 camry with 269hp over a 27k Saturn.

 

[DougK62]

That interior is awesome.

I wish the exterior looked more like the show car, but it's not bad.

 

[PricklyPete]

I think Saturn is attempting to reposition itself as the youthful-premium Euro-like subsidiary of GM. They are attempting to look as much like Opel cars as possible...and I don't think that is a bad thing regardless of how much Jeremy Clarkson goes off on the Opel's on Top Gear.

I think this car has a lot of promise. Sure it isn't a Camry/Accord...but it is just about there..matching it in most every area. While it would be great for it to be head and shoulder's above these other two vehicles, I'm just happy a customer wanting to buy an American vehicle has the opportunity to buy one that matches the foreign competition.

I also think that engine...while not getting quite as good horsepower...will be a joy to drive with all that torque down low.

This may very well be my fiance's next car when we need to replace her civic in a few years.

 

[archcommus]

Looks alright but the price is disappointing. A better Sonata or possibly even Accord could be had for less.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: archcommus
Looks alright but the price is disappointing. A better Sonata or possibly even Accord could be had for less.

How is that so? Neither the Sonata or the Accord have engines that come close to the top of the line 3.6L found here with all the trimmings for 27K...only 24K for the base premium model. For 20K, you get a 224HP V6. That is also a good price (similar to Sonata prices). I really think the pricing really isn't all that bad.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: archcommus
Looks alright but the price is disappointing. A better Sonata or possibly even Accord could be had for less.

How is that so? Neither the Sonata or the Accord have engines that come close to the top of the line 3.6L found here with all the trimmings for 27K...only 24K for the base premium model. For 20K, you get a 224HP V6. That is also a good price (similar to Sonata prices). I really think the pricing really isn't all that bad.

Read BASE PRICE: $24,595 and figured that meant it didn't come any cheaper.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: archcommus
Looks alright but the price is disappointing. A better Sonata or possibly even Accord could be had for less.

How is that so? Neither the Sonata or the Accord have engines that come close to the top of the line 3.6L found here with all the trimmings for 27K...only 24K for the base premium model. For 20K, you get a 224HP V6. That is also a good price (similar to Sonata prices). I really think the pricing really isn't all that bad.

Read BASE PRICE: $24,595 and figured that meant it didn't come any cheaper.

Base Price is meantioned twice in the article. Once for the XE model (the lowest model w/ 224HP V6) at 20,595 while the XR (the premiumm model w/ 250HP V6) starts at 24,595 USD.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Looks perfectly nice, and I like the interior considering this is a GM product. They will need deep discounts to sell this considering the stiff competition in the car's segment, though. I think it's funny the way they used a font that makes the "Aura" logos look as much like "Acura" as possible.

 

[Kaido]

Not as cool looking as the prototype, but the interior definately looks nice. I love my ION. Turning radius is amazing, hope it's the same as this one

Edit: Looks like there's not much glass...one thing I love about my ION is that it's like being in a glass bubble...you can see really well out the front, sides, and rear, no huge blindspots either...

 

[MikeMike]

congrats GM.

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: archcommus
Looks alright but the price is disappointing. A better Sonata or possibly even Accord could be had for less.

How is that so? Neither the Sonata or the Accord have engines that come close to the top of the line 3.6L found here with all the trimmings for 27K...only 24K for the base premium model. For 20K, you get a 224HP V6. That is also a good price (similar to Sonata prices). I really think the pricing really isn't all that bad.

Read BASE PRICE: $24,595 and figured that meant it didn't come any cheaper.

Base Price is meantioned twice in the article. Once for the XE model (the lowest model w/ 224HP V6) at 20,595 while the XR (the premiumm model w/ 250HP V6) starts at 24,595 USD.

With GM incentive and little bit of bargaining, you might be able to get this car under $20k.

It'll be interesting if Saturn could save GM, because they(other GM division/corporate) tried to kill it in the early 90s, now they are bringing Saturn back.

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
congrats GM.

For making a decent car for a decent price?! Should've done that 20 years ago.

 

[Mermaidman]

Oh no--same crappy steering wheel cruise controls as in other GM cars. Those buttons are too small for my big sausage fingers.

Unlike you guys, I like the leather's texture and color.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

When founded as a subsidiary (not a division) of General Motors in 1985, Saturn?s aim was to match Honda and Toyota....

Now Saturn is in the midst of a product turnaround that promises to match or exceed the Cadillac revival for setting things right

Hmmm...so what niche is GM aiming to fill with Saturn these days?

Chevy is all-encompassing
Pontiac is sport
Buick is semi-luxury
Cadillac is luxury

I'd say it's their "value" brand...except that the Sky and Red Line models sort of mess that up...I might instead say it's their college kid/young couple brand (a la Scion) but with the Ion on its way out, they don't have an inexpensive small car (or hatch) to compete...

[Edit] Not sure where I'd stick a $27k Aura across GM...maybe a Buick?

Saturn is slotted to replace Oldsmobile. Go figure.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

the problem US makers have is that by the time they finally could compete with the Japanese the Koreans beat them to the punch with quality and price

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: Shivetya
the problem US makers have is that by the time they finally could compete with the Japanese the Koreans beat them to the punch with quality and price

US companies have a hell of alot more baggage than the Koreans. I would say the US auto makers are doing extremely well considering all the problems they have.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Shivetya
the problem US makers have is that by the time they finally could compete with the Japanese the Koreans beat them to the punch with quality and price

The quality problems (using cheap materials to be specific) was a choice. No one told GM to go out and find the cheapest materials possible except for GM. However, unlike Asian companies, American companies (Germany ones as well) have huge amounts of baggage.

 

[OS]

heh, that article spends a lot of time saying how the saturn stacks up to the accord while not mentioning the accord is going to be redesigned in another year.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Throw the Opel symbol on it and everyone would kill for it.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: iversonyin

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: archcommus
Looks alright but the price is disappointing. A better Sonata or possibly even Accord could be had for less.

How is that so? Neither the Sonata or the Accord have engines that come close to the top of the line 3.6L found here with all the trimmings for 27K...only 24K for the base premium model. For 20K, you get a 224HP V6. That is also a good price (similar to Sonata prices). I really think the pricing really isn't all that bad.

Read BASE PRICE: $24,595 and figured that meant it didn't come any cheaper.

Base Price is meantioned twice in the article. Once for the XE model (the lowest model w/ 224HP V6) at 20,595 while the XR (the premiumm model w/ 250HP V6) starts at 24,595 USD.

With GM incentive and little bit of bargaining, you might be able to get this car under $20k.

It'll be interesting if Saturn could save GM, because they(other GM division/corporate) tried to kill it in the early 90s, now they are bringing Saturn back.

you can not bargain on saturn. its a one set price, they give you it, you take it.

Saturn will become a VW fighter, the interior is supposed to feel like a VW as well.