Saturn Aura Concept

brettmeyers · 01-07-2005, 05:25 PM

The Saturn Aura Concept is revealed!

http://www.saturnspot.com/headlines/aura1.jpg http://www.saturnspot.com/headlines/aura2.jpg
View more pictures of the Saturn Aura Concept

The new Saturn Aura is "... a sneak peek" to what you'll see in summer 2006 says Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak.

The Aura features the new Saturn design direction. The look, including a front fascia with a distinctive mesh grille and circular fog lamps, will first appear in a production vehicle with the Sky roadster that goes on sale in late 2005 or early 2006. The Aura also features 19-inch polished alloy wheels pushed to the corners.

Saturn has included a 250-hp 3.6-liter double overhead cam engine with variable-valve timing teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual tap up/tap down shift controls.

Source:
Saturn.com

brettmeyers · 01-07-2005, 05:29 PM

DETROIT -- General Motors might be calling it a concept, but what you see with the Saturn Aura is what you'll get.

The mid-sized sedan won't look much different when it hits the streets in summer 2006.

"It's a sneak peek," says Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak, "but a pretty close one."

Saturn will push the Aura as a preview of what Saturn is capable of doing with a sporty sedan. With its replacement for the discontinued L series, Saturn could use the confidence boost.

The final Saturn L series was built at GM's Wilmington, Del., plant June 17. Production of the car began in May 1999. About 406,300 were built over five years.

When the division was launched, Saturn envisioned selling 500,000 vehicles annually. Saturn sold 212,017 vehicles in the United States in 2004, down 21.8 percent from 2003.

Saturn hopes the investment it's making in the exterior and interior of the Aura make this sedan a different story.

"We believe it has the potential to attract today's Accord or Passat buyer," says GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz.

From the outside, the Aura features the new Saturn design direction. The look, including a front fascia with a distinctive mesh grille and circular fog lamps, will first appear in a production vehicle with the Sky roadster that goes on sale in late 2005 or early 2006. The Aura also features 19-inch polished alloy wheels pushed to the corners.

Under the hood, Saturn has included a 250-hp 3.6-liter double overhead cam engine with variable-valve timing teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual tap up/tap down shift controls.

But inside the vehicle is where the Aura will make the largest leap.

"The interior is a bold step," says Greg Bellopatrick, vehicle chief engineer for GM's mid-sized vehicles. "It's a definite reflection of where Saturn wants to go. And when you look at the mid-sized market, the price of entry is products that are premium. That's where we think the Aura will be."

The interior includes Rustica leather seats designed to resemble expensive furniture, as well as two-tone door and seat inserts. There is heavy use of metallic and chrome trim, as well as backlit instrumentation and a four-panel sunroof.

GM design chief Ed Welburn says his team of interior designers borrowed materials from other industries, including some of the best handbag companies in Italy.

"We made interiors a high priority," Welburn says. "This proves it is a new direction from many aspects."

Source: Automotive News

my99sl1 · 01-07-2005, 07:02 PM

the back of it looks like the new galant. Very nice looking car.

jegster · 01-07-2005, 07:53 PM

This new Aura is stunning. I was not expecting anything like this from Saturn.

I hope this concept is close to what the final build will look like.

nukem1st · 01-20-2005, 05:23 AM

I believe Saturn is doing a very good job keeping up with the Honda Acura Toyota etc etc,but my hope is that they come up with a pickup,I'd buy one in a heart beat.
But I have heard that GM told them no to pickups that GM didn't want to deal with the competitive market with pickups.
If there is any truth to that,it is a load of bologna.

Come on Saturn,make some pickups.

my99sl1 · 01-20-2005, 07:26 PM

they still need to get rid of the ION and bring back the S Class

nukem1st · 01-21-2005, 06:33 AM

I thought someone said that they was gettin rid of the ION?
I believe the ION was a stepping stone for different body styles which has been needed for a long time.We have an ION and we are very pleased with it.
I agree the S series is Saturns roots,and is a very good car and body style,for I have an S Series for myself.

I'd still like to see a pickup though,if Saturn can experiment with these kinda bodystyles like the Aura Sky Vue and others,they can go out a limb and come up with a pick up.

I think it would be a big hit myself,but I've been shot in the foot before.

trick94sl2 · 01-21-2005, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my99sl1

they still need to get rid of the ION and bring back the S Class

Yeah...keep dreaming

nukem1st · 01-21-2005, 02:06 PM

I WILL it don't cost nothin.

my99sl1 · 01-22-2005, 12:23 AM

exactly