PurdueGuy

yup - just like the Ion vs Ion Redline.

Exactly, plus they don't want to have the development cost. There will likely have to be differences (emissions, safety, etc), but they want to keep it to a minimum. If anyone hasn't read Lutz's recent comments about it, you should. It was directly said that they will change as little as possible, and the suspension was specifically addressed in this. Anyone know the approx weights & such for the listed Opels? It's sometimes hard to tell a minivan sized vehicle from something much smaller, but with dimensions that are proportional (xA, for example).

Pix from the Chicago Auto Show. Doesn't look like the interior in the back of the FJ is particularly rugged, though I'm sure the auto show circuit is hard on vehicles.

because it's changing platforms

That factory is just across town from me - this should be good news for the local economy! From what's been talked about before on this forum, it's expected to be supplemental Camry production.

Gasoline/E85 cars will be around much longer than 5-10 more years, so it's worth it, IMO.

TWO TOPICS TO MAKE YOUR PAPER MORE BROAD/INFORMED: 1. The first hybrids. They weren't from honda or toyota. Porsche is the first I'm aware of. 2. Hydraulic hybrids. Could be a cheaper & more reliable type of hybrid, in development by the EPA.

I'd agree that most of the interior is just blah, but those door handles were great.

I loved the inside door handles on my first car - a '76 Mercury Monarch. notice how the release handle is parallel to the armrest handle. To open the door, you simply squeeze & push, instead of pulling & pushing, which seems rather counterintuitive. Also, the angled armrest handle is at a great angle for pushing/pulling on the door. I wasn't a huge fan of the car overall, though it wasn't too bad, but this feature was very impressive.

seems like a very strong rumor, considering it being brough up by Lutz, the trademark filed, & all. Would love the 3 door hatch turned into a 5dr quad coupe, but the way Lutz was talking, the future Opel derived Saturns will be nearly identical to their Opel cousins.

Saw on the news the other night where they're coming across roadside bombs that can pierce tank armor. Dang...

Why would that del sol have a turbocharged Saturn 1.9L DOHC engine in it?

I agree it's stupid for Saturn to be jacking up the price, but they have a "no-haggle" policy, not really fixed pricing. They generally just go by the MSRP, but the dealerships still have the ability to set their own price. IMO, it's a great way to alienate customers.

Exciting news - I'll have to start learning more about Opel.

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what GM wants...

It is still the concept version - the production version is slated to be introduced at the NY auto show.

...and hopefully they'll go straight into retooling the line for a nice new Saturn Astra. Sedan, wagon, and quadcoupe hatch (dang, that'd really be pushing the boundaries of what you can call a "coupe" )

would love it if they built this in Spring Hill - keep the Saturn tradition alive! (oh yeah, and keep the Vue out of mexico, please.)

so much for rolling down a window... but overall it's sweet.

So apparently GM isn't shutting down the Ion line yet? *scratches head*

^links aren't working...

Ok, we know the Ion is being replaced by... something. Astra, something else, whatever. What I'm not quite clear on is the timeline for the rest of the Ion's life. The Ion production line at Spring Hill was slated for shutdown. Has this already happened, or is it yet to come (and if so, when)? Is Ion production being moved to Lordstown OH, or not? What do we know will happen when?

He probably doesn't want to see Saturn get such a popular product.

I want one of the big glowing saturn symbols from the display.

screamed L-Series to me, too.