Saturn Introduces New Vue

Anthony Fontanelle
June 21, 2007

General Motors’ effort to revitalize its import-fighting brand Saturn has seemingly paid off after the brand posted the highest sales increase among all automobile brands last month. For this year, sales are already 32 percent more than last year for the same period of time. The increasing popularity of the brand is in part due to their platform sharing with Opel. The German car brand is also owned by General Motors.

The working relationship between Opel and Saturn has led many to look at Saturn vehicles as the most European-looking American-branded autos in the market today. One of the most notable Saturn vehicles with the Opel bloodline is the convertible Saturn Sky - it is similar in design as the Opel GT. Aside from the Sky, a Saturn vehicle with the Opel influence will be released in the North American market this fall. In fact, the new vehicle is a rebadged version of the Opel Astra and will be called the Saturn Astra.

For now though, Saturn has introduced the 2008 model year version of the best-selling Saturn Vue. While being the best selling vehicle in Saturn's lineup, General Motors saw it fit to redesign the Vue based on the design of the Opel Antara SUV. The changes made by General Motors on the Vue made it look better than the previous version of the vehicle.

While based on the design of the Antara SUV, the new Vue does not look anything like an SUV. It looks like what it is, a crossover SUV. The auto industry got its first look at the 2008 Saturn Vue when it was unveiled at the 2007 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. But before that, a concept version of the new Vue was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show.

The concept version of the 2008 Saturn Vue dubbed as the Saturn PreVue concept sports two doors. General Motors though announced that the production version of the midsize crossover SUV will have four doors.

In redesigning the Vue which is based on the Antara, the crossover’s angular body panel designs have been redesigned. The result is that the 2008 Saturn Vue has a more rounded profile than its predecessor which makes the new Vue look bigger than it actually is. On the inside, it is expected that Saturn will make the cockpit of the Saturn Vue more refined. From a possible new control panel design to the Saturn floor mats, it is expected that General Motors will give the cockpit of the new Vue a European car feel.

The standard engine for the 2008 Vue is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Ecotec engine which can produce 169 horsepower. This engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. According to the manufacturer of the Vue, the base engine produces 29 more horsepower than the Antara. This engine is the same used on the Vue Green Line or the hybrid version of the crossover Vue.

Aside from the base engine, the Saturn Vue can also come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine which is capable of producing 222 horsepower. This powerplant is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Another engine choice for Vue buyers is a slightly bigger 3.6-liter V6 engine which is rated to produce 257 horsepower. This engine will be used by the XR trim line and the performance-oriented Vue Red Line. It will be available in fall this year along with the introduction of the Saturn Astra.

Source:  Amazines.com