General Motors’ Saturn division is difficult at work on building a replacement for its small SUV, the Saturn VUE. Currently based mostly strictly on U.S. technology, the 2008 VUE is predicted to be heavily based mostly on Opel technology: Opel is General Motors’ principal European brand. This is often smart news for people who were involved that GM would ditch the Saturn VUE. Instead, the SUV can get new life and additional support via its new relationship with Opel. While it’s too early to grasp all the main points regarding the upcoming Saturn VUE makeover, there are some things we tend to do grasp about this revamped model.
Ever since Saturn released the primary “S Series” models back in 1990, the company has struggled to maintain a unique identity. Neglected by parent GM, the upstart Saturn complete had to attend nearly a decade before further vehicles were added to its line including the Saturn VUE SUV. Along with the “L Series” midsize cars, the three vehicle lines [ION having replace the S Series] totally comprised the Saturn line for several years. Sadly, not one of the 3 models were stand out performers, thus the complete suffered accordingly.
With the demise of Oldsmobile has return new life for Saturn. Now a fully integrated GM division, Saturn is getting further vehicles to help enhance its line up. Drawing upon its highly regarded dealer network and high shopper satisfaction scores, Saturn is being quickly remade into a European style division. Saturn has Opel to thank for that.
Along with the coming Aura midsize sedan which is heavily based on an Opel design, the Saturn VUE will be primarily based upon the Opel Antera GTC. An Antera concept has been making the rounds of auto shows across Europe and what we tend to apprehend concerning the Antera points to what we have a tendency to can expect to see with the VUE.
The Antera is slightly smaller in size than the current Saturn VUE; though the Antera reportedly can have only two doors, the Saturn VUE model can get four doors. Each vehicles are nearer in size to the present Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V models, their chief competitors. This smaller size conjointly permits Saturn to introduce a slightly larger seven passenger SUV next year, the Outlook.
The 2008 Saturn VUE will feature both four and 6 cylinder gas powered engines. Expect each AWD and RWD to be offered. The Antera’s front end will be redone to mesh with this Saturn look. Beyond that, the VUE can possible incorporate current GM technology with upgraded safety and performance options included. A base price of around $twenty,000 for the FWD model is doubtless with fully loaded AWD versions retailing for as high as $30K.
The 2008 Saturn VUE will be designed in Spring Hill, TN home of the original Saturn plant. Along with the Outlook, the Aura, the SKY roadster, the RELAY crossover, and the ION compact, new life is being breathed into Saturn because of Opel. This is often smart news for Saturn fans that have loyally supported the automaker since its inception additional than 15 years ago.


