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Saturn

offbeat news

Saturn Teams With Bon Jovi And Habitat For Humanity For Detroit Neighborhood Build

On Detroit's northeast side on Monday, Saturn joined its Detroit dealers, U-SNAP-BAC, and Jon Bon Jovi with his Soul Charitable Foundation to announce the kickoff of a five-house sponsorship for Habitat for Humanity. Since 2005, Habitat has been back-filling new homes in the MorningSide neighborhood. The project had been going smoothly until recently, when funding began to thin out as the economic slowdown hit local sponsors. The new corporate sponsorship from Saturn was largely driven by local dealers looking to reinvest in a community which has driven Saturn sales in the area up 40% in the last few years.

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transformers 2

Transformers 2 Pictures Show *GASP* A Robot!

Another day of filming Transformers 2 has unveiled some key insights. The first is that Transformers 2 will feature robots; in this particular case, a sort of smaller, dragon-like Transformer who feeds on whomever is inside that vehicle. Given that most of the scenes filmed at Princeton University have featured the Saturn Astra, one could make an assumption that the vehicle pictured is the same Astra, especially noting the windshield slope and sunroof placement. Click through to see the next insight. Yes, it's about Megan Fox. More »

transformers revenge of the fallen

Princeton Transformers 2 Video Reveals Speeding Astra, Sweet Pursuit GKart Camera

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is filming some kind of chase scene this week on the set of Princeton University featuring the Saturn Astra we saw on set last week. These videos, caught by some intrepid students, indicate the Astra appears to be damaged, so one could suggest it's probably not a Transformer and rather the daily driver for a character other than Shia LaBeouf's. We mean, why would he want to cheat on his beloved Bumblebee? Also caught on film is a scene of Shia running around carrying books and talking on a cell phone and seemingly running from giant fake robots. You know, like every other student in the world. But if there's one car we want more than the Camaro, it's got to be the little Shelly Ward-created Pursuit GKart Camera. That go-cart-on-coke looks a lot more fun than the Astra. [Transformers Live]

industry news

Honda Ridgeline The GM Truck Of The Future?

After disclosing yesterday that the GMT900 full-size truck/SUV platform will likely last beyond its original 2012 expiration date, a new report says that future trucks may appear on the Lambda platform. Using Lambda, the foundation for current GM SUVs such as the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, would mark a shift away from body-on-frame pickup construction, since Lambda uses a lighter-weight unit-body chassis — think Honda Ridgeline. Except attractive, hopefully. More »

transformers 2

Yes, That's A Saturn Astra On The Set Of Transformers 2

Leaked screenshots from the set of Transformers 2 continue to trickle in. With a movie that has the likes of the Camaro SS, Saab Aero-X, Hummer HX and more, it's a bit odd seeing this seemingly plain-jane Saturn Astra hatchback roaming around the set during filming. Well, as odd as can be in a movie all about the product placement. More »

industry news

Gas Prices Up 8.2%, Hybrid Sales Down 11.0% In May... Wait, What?

There may be no better indicator that many carmakers have been unable to adjust to the sudden increase in gas prices and the resulting shift in consumer demand than hybrid sales. Although there was an obvious run to more fuel-efficient cars — witness the Civic besting the Ford F-150 in overall sales for the first time ever — hybrid sales overall were down 11% from April to May, down 24.3% month-to-month from 2007 and even the market-leading Toyota Prius experienced a 31% drop in sales for the month. How did that happen? There are a few factors at work here, which we've helpfully outlined below the jump. More »

industry news

Different Kind Of Car Company Kills Different Name For Hybrid

Saturn, "the different kind of car company," is apparently killing their "different kind of name" for hybrids. According to the Kicking Tires blog at PickupTrucks.com Cars.com, they'll be axing the "Green Line" name, opting instead to call it "Hybrid." Apparently, GM's galactic brand just wasn't getting any traction on such an adorable naming convention. This actually makes sense to us — if everyone calls something a hybrid, and you're doing something for the marketing love it brings — why call it anything else? And no, it's not because Opel told them to do it. Although we think they totally would have if Opel had asked. [Kicking Tires]

alternative energy

Aural Leakage: Battery Problems Short-Circuit Saturn Hybrid Sales

In the midst of a $4/gallon-inspired run on every ride that gets more than 12 MPG, we were more than a little surprised to hear that the 2008 Saturn Aura Green Line has racked up a measly 69 sales through the end of April. Wot's the deal? Turns out that leaky batteries, courtesy of supplier Cobasys, have sent the Saturn hybrids into the realm of vaporware at the same time GM's marketers are touting the company's green credentials to any buyer who will listen. The same issue has plagued the Saturn Vue Green Line, which saw sales numbers fall to 326 through April, vs. 2,683 in the first four months of 2007. Cobasys claims to have solved the problem and is now shipping defect-free battery packs. Knowing GM's luck with timing the market, a betting man might expect fuel prices to drop back below a buck a gallon at about the same time as production ramps back up. More »

custom cars

Breckland Beira Is The Saturn Sky Everyone Wants

What if you took a Kappa platform from GM, replaced some of the metal body panels with composite, and dropped a 400 HP LS2 V8 under the hood? Not only would you get the Kappa everyone wants, but you'd have a Breckland Beira straight from the isle of Great Britain. In addition to looking the part and having more than adequate grunt to back it up, the Beira can also be fueled with liquefied petroleum (LP) gas — though we don't know if it will make the claimed 0-60 in under 5 seconds on the grill gas. All pretty nice, but it had better be for £55,000, or right about $108,000 for us Yanks. Um. Okay, maybe it isn't that nice.

[WorldCarFans]

2011 saturn astra

2010 Opel Astra Spotted Testing In Alps, 2011 Saturn Version Not Far Behind

While on a testing field trip in the Austrian Alps, GM engineers managed to wander into the range of a wild pack of KGP photographers, giving us a bit more of a solid look at the pending 2010 Opel Astra, and by extension, the next version of the 2011 Saturn Astra. Though the outside camo makes us want to play checkers, the cockpit was sans cover-ups and looking pretty snazzy for the segment. We can imagine the character line at the bottom of the rear door swooping up to match a Mazda3-wagon-like C-pillar and window treatment, but that's just us. And wow, check out the front quarter lower intakes, or maybe it could just be sneaky camouflage. Full spy report below the fold.

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novelties

2008 Saturn VUE XE On Sale For $2.3 Million

With the emerging global Saturn Vue shortage crisis biting into the supply of crossovers, global prices of the US-ified Opel are spiking to unheard of levels. Case in point comes from Saturn of Oxford Valley — ground zero for the desperate shortages. With so few Vues on the market, and demand so incredibly high, prices there have surged to $2,293,500. Of course, this particular model may be the one equipped with 70 lbs of platinum body panels so, you know, that would be market price. [Saturn of Oxford Valley] (Thanks Dillon)

hoon of the day

Jumping A Saturn At Dave's Farm

Another day, another beater car hooned at Dave's Farm. Sure it's not as impressive as the Honda 666, or the Buick Halfmaster, but who doesn't love seeing a car catching air? It may be a lowly '90s Saturn, but the flat black and flames make up for it.
[Dave's Farm]

industry news

Saturn Discovers Social Networking, Attempts To Join 21st Century

Apparently young people these days like to talk to each other online rather than read. Sometimes, they even take advantage of toy-like technological innovations to transmit electronic images and even music! Based on this cutting edge research, Saturn has launched a new concept in online communication to reach these digital girls and boys in the 21st Century. Called ImSaturn, it provides an online "space" Saturn owners can call their own — a place that let's them say "why yes, this is my space." More »

2009 opel insignia

2009 Opel Insignia Revealed, Officially

The General's German brand saw the sign it needed to replace the aged Vectra, so they opened up their eyes — and came up with this — the new 2009 Opel Insignia. It's a new name, a new car and yes, a new badge for the brand preciously misspelled from the name of a gem and it's being revealed in July at the London Motor Show. We're guessing Opel decided to drop this load of shots and details early due to, you know, all the leakage everywhere — both manufactured, silly and otherwise. This new Vectra-replacing four-door will hit the market with a pickup truck-like selection of engine options and powertrains. Buyers of the new Insignia will be able to choose from seven different engines — four gasoline engines ranging from a four-banger 115 HP unit to a V6 with an output of 260 horses and three new direct-injection diesels displacing 2.0 liters and with outputs spanning from 110 to 160 HP. And when you're done choosing your boring engines, you'll have a choice between either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. What else would we expect from a four-door that's 7.9 inches longer than the current Vectra and is built on the General's new globe-spanning Epsilon II platform. Of course we'd expect a variety of available options — this sculpted boat's going to need to play the role of like, every car in GM's multi-brand lineup. And that's why we should care about this new Euro sedan — because everything else with an Opel badge gets sent state-wide as a Saturn, so we're under the impression we'll be seeing this as the 2011 Saturn Aura. But the platform prostitution doesn't end there — the bones underneath will hold the skin and meat of the 2011 Pontiac G6 and the 2012 Chevy Malibu. Rumor is we'll also see it as the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the 2010 Saab 9-3. Yes, that means the 2010 LaCrosse would actually get an AWD platform — hmm, maybe there's some life in that old brand. Yeah, right. Full press release after the jump.

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2009 opel insignia

2009 Opel Insignia Revealed Early, Sans Carefully Placed Tape

It's a shame the folks at Opel went through all that trouble to tape up the 2009 Opel Insignia, just to have the cover blown a few days later by the crew at AutoWeek.nl. Here it is, your future Opel Insignia in all its watermarked glory. Why should you care? This curvy sedan is likely to be the new Saturn Aura sometime down the line. The Insignia is scheduled for a big public unveiling at the London Motor Show in July with full details coming in a few days.

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spy photos

2009 Opel Insignia Spy Photos Released... By Opel?

In what seems to be a burgeoning trend, Opel joins the ranks of automakers that are releasing their own versions of professionally shot spy photos to whet the appetites of the motoring press. In this case we have the 2009 Open Insignia (and possibly the future Saturn Aura), which is based on GM's Epsilon-2 global platform. It's been taped up fairly well and, just for laughs, they guide us through the process of taping up a test mule. You clever buggers!

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spy photos

2011 Saturn Astra

Some say this test unit caught running 'round the 'Ring today thinks it actually has cupholders integrated into its design. Others claim despite the above-average Euro exterior styling and a somewhat dated interior (by Euro standards), it's terrible at checkers. All we know is it's called the — insert preferred name here, either the 2010 Opel Astra or the 2011 Saturn Astra. Heck, it may even be a 2010 Saturn Astra. Any way you look at it, the same hatch has hit the public track in Germany and the spy shooters of KGP have caught it running laps 'round the 'Ring. They've even caught an interior shot or two which gives away a center stack design with a high display and slender, vertical air-vents, reminiscent of its larger, midsize brother — the Opel Insignia, aka Saturn Aura. It also appears the new Astra will get an Insignia-inspired gauge cluster, with its distinctive chrome-ringed instrument pods. Full spy report from KGP after the jump.

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novelties

How Many Things Are Wrong With This Saturn?

We know that movies like The Fast & The Furious have seriously warped our collective understanding of what is and what is not a reasonable modification but this definitely crosses the line somewhere. Reader "Rub-ISH" over at the MotiveMag forums managed to capture this rolling monstrosity. As soon as we saw it we giggled a little, and then threw up some in the back of our mouth. Is there downforce on this car? Yeah, and to make room for it they removed what little class this particular Saturn ever had. One more picture below the jump. More »