gmhashope

Might we also see a Saturn Astra model?  It is about a year away so I wouldn't be too surprised.

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If I were a betting man, I'd say New York. I tend to remember Saturn unveiling the Aura and Outlook there for that upcoming fall/winter which reminds me that the Astra is supposed to be here in the upcoming fall/winter.

The interiors are huge improvements. I can't stand the interiors in the F-150. I'm beginning to like the Sierra more than the Silverado now.

Anyone have any ideas why the Saturn website won't load for me? I haven't been able to get it to load in about a week.

This article says the Outlook will be available in Spring 2007; what is the actual date from someone who knows?

I've heard November 2006.

Now all they have to do is release the prices and the I'll be able to decide on which model to get.

Maybe the XR will have 279 hp like the Enclave Concept and they are just trying to surprise the competition.

The only thing I would change is make the concept's wheels in 18 inch form and make them an option on the XR. Other than that the Aura is awesome.

also keep in mind... someone's (some GM brand) gotta have a minivan that actually looks like a minivan - that market isn't going to just vanish.

That's where Chevy's and GMC's Lambda minivan comes in.

The Outlook is great and I can't wait until dealers get it so I can buy one. Any word on prices?

I love the Sky Redline. The car is beautiful.

Interesting, according to Motor Trend, the Aura is built off teh Epsilon II platform, I didn't realize it was on the new version.

Nope, it's on Epsilon. According to MT Auto Show coverage, the Outlook is on the Theta platform.

The only thing I don't like on the Aura is the 14 spoke wheels. Saturn should have just downsized the concept wheels for the XR. I think I'm gonna buy the XE just because I can't stand the XR's wheels.

That article also says GM might build a Saturn Astra in the U.S. or rebadge one from Europe but either way there should be an Astra in the U.S. by fall '07.

From talking to various people, including some that work at the Fairfax plant, it sounds like the base engine will be the 248 hp V6 (3.5 VVT makes 211hp so it can't be that, 3.9 VVT makes 240-242 hp so it can't be that, but the 3.6 makes from 240-255 hp currently).

I'm guessing the the 248 hp V6 will be the 3.6 and from what I've heard is that the top of the line non Redline version will have 270-ish hp. Now is it a coincidence that the Buick Enclave debuted a new 3.6 that makes 279 hp.

This is all pure speculation but I'm guessing all 3.6s; one making 248 hp and another making 279 hp, both mated to 6 speed autos. It also sounds like the 3.5 VVT idea has been scrapped and production will begin in late April or early May, not July.

BTW, the chrome bar looks wierd just because of the lighting. The chrome bar will look like the concepts, its not silver plastic.

Here are more pictures I took at the Chicago Auto Show. They're not that great. The lighting around the Aura display was really bad (it wasn't that great at the Sky display either) and went from being dark to being really bright and was playing tricks on the flash on the camera. Oh, well, the Aura still looks great and I can't wait until it debuts in New York and for production to begin on July 24, 2006.

BTW, the first Auras are on the assembly line. http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71909

Maybe that's because the ION is the only car that Saturn sells at the moment. Period. The other two vehicles are the VUE and Relay...and I don't think those are cars.

True. What I've heard is that Saturn will continue to build the ION through the end of the 2006 year which means that the ones made in September, October, ect. will probably be considered '07 models. They will try to produce as many as possible so Saturn dealers can still have a compact car on the lot.

But by the time the ION production stops, Saturn will have the Sky, Aura, and Outlook to go along with the VUE and RELAY.

BTW, I fixed the link but I posted the whole story.

You're right...'07 Sebring is based on the Galant platform.

It's RWD, right?

The Aveo taillights are pretty cool.

Yea, I like them too. When I took the pic. the taillights were on and the flash on the camera also helped a little too, but when they were just on by themselves they still looked good. I was really impressed with the new Aveo.

http://www.saturnfans.com/Cars/Future/2007sopdates.shtml

Start of Production Dates for 2007 Saturn AURA, ION, VUE

SaturnFans.com • January 29, 2006

GM Canada's Fleet and Commercial website has published start of production dates for the 2007 Saturn AURA midsize car, ION sedan and quad coupe small cars, and the VUE sport-utility.

Saturn AURA in Fairfax, Kansas starts on July 24, 2006

Saturn ION in Spring Hill, Tennessee starts on June 15, 2006

Saturn VUE in Spring Hill, Tennessee starts on June 12, 2006

The dates were valid as of January 16, 2006, but are subject to change.

Source: General Motors

http://www.saturnfans.com/Cars/Future/2007sopdates.shtml

He probably hates the fact that it will only dilute the market impact of the Solstice and is somewhat dismayed to see (at least informally here at C&G) that the majority of opinion favors the Sky over the Solstice, even tho the Sky's stylistic differences are much more homogenized with the mainstream than it's much more unique cousin's.

Do you also hate the Malibu, 9-3, and Aura because they take away from the G6 sales? I know many people that don't like the Solstice and think it has bug eyes and wouldn't consider buying it, but love the Sky and want one. I also know people that don't like the Sky wouldn't buy it, but love the Solstice. It gives the buyer some options so they don't just see one and not like and then go and buy a Miata or something else, they can look at the other brand.

What'd you think of the new interior?

-RBB

I love the new interior. The old one was okay, but the new one is really nice. The wood trim looks real and really brightens up the interior. The seats were nice. I don't think their was anything I didn't like in the interior.

I liked what Chevrolet had to display. I liked the fact they also had the base models and the top models to show the differences.

Yea, I hate when you go to an auto show display and all you see are the top of the line models at a price some people won't pay.

Thanks for posting these pictures, gmhashope.  The blue was the color I originally wanted, but it looks a little darker than what I like - almost black from a distance, even in the sun light.  Great color though.

The fifth picture down has something I want for my garage - the huge S-K-Y letters just barely visible at the top of the pic.  Maybe if this display is used at the NYIAS, maybe I can steal them

I think the blue is by far my favorite color. I think I like it because it's close to black but still blue.

The SKY letters are pretty neat. Good luck at stealing them though.

Here are more pictures that I took at the Chicago Auto Show. I think the Sky was the best looking car there and in midnight blue it just looks plain awesome.

Here are 3 pictures of the Saturn VUE I took at the Chicago Auto Show. After seeing the new VUE in person I must say I really like it. At first I really didn't care for the front end but now its has grown on me. Not to mention the new interior which looks great.

I was originally going to put these pictures with the ones of the Sky and Aura I have but I don't want to post 20 pictures on one thread.

What, no Kodiak pics?

If I would have remembered to clear both memory cards their would have been Kodiak pics.

Here are more pictures from my trip to the Chicago Auto Show. The first picture is of the the Trailblazer SS which I absolutely love.

The Chevy Equinox just needs a bigger engine and I think it would be a hit. I love the blue on it.

Next are two pictures of the '07 Tahoe. One is a base model and one is a top of the line model.

I also love the interior of the new Tahoe which compared to pre-Bob Lutz era truck interiors look great.

I like the exterior of the Colorado but it needs a bigger engine and a freshened interior. (see above pic. for Colorado interior)