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Looks very similar to the new Mitsubishi Outlander. Coincidence?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Astra GTC is THE best looking compact on the global market. This will be a great car for Saturn...something I may even consider purchasing as a commuter car (and if the reliability turns out to be good). Hope som of the Astra's neat & different features - such as the piano-black trim and panoramic windshield - cross the pond. What will the US powertrain lineup be for this vehicle?

Great topic! If you're an avid music fan, you've got to have some balance. Some of my favorites that are worth checking out: "Sultans of Swing" - Dire Straits. Perfect Rhythm, textured, and relaxed. Great guitar work by Mark Knopfler. "On Every Street" - Dire Straits. Painstakingly produced to perfection, with rich sounding instruments abound. A little boring for some in the first 3 minutes, but the closing instrumental is absolutely fantastic. "LA Woman" - The Doors. Great beatnik bassline & eastern drumwork. "Riders of the Storm" - The Doors. Very relaxing & somewhat eerie. "Walk" - Blind Melon. Acoustic Zeppelin-y ditty from an underrated band. "Learning to Fly" - Tom Petty. Fantastic layered guitar work and rhythm. Enjoy!

To clarify, he was referring to a production prototype rather than the concept shown at last years show circuit. Not to say I praise the guy, as he also recently lauded the gag-inducing FJ Cruiser.

Fantastic. Great to hear such an enthusiastic review - I was a little worried about the acceleration of the Lambda's, but from this review it seems to be a non-issue. It seems that the Lambda's long delay might have paid off. Random thought: would be nice if they could engineer a pickup of this platform & stay ahead of the curve...

I think a bad car is a vehicle that fails in nearly every area. Reliability, styling, quality, design, features etc. Think 1st gen Hyunday Accent, the Yugo, Chevy Vega, Saturn ION, Pontiac Aztek, Ford Pinto, and introducing the new Chysler Sebring.

Piling up at a dealer lot near you!

An interesting perspective. I like the chopped/sharp headlights...similar to things I doodle on sketches. Also like the '68 rear fender arch. Taillights are interesting, if unfinished. The car itself looks too heavy, though, and the rear stance still sucks.

As much as I love it to death, I'm about to give up on my old 5-series. It averages a shop visit every two to three months - and it's constructed so oddly (to quote a mechanic: "back-asswards") that I can't even perform simple tasks like changing the air filter. It's a beautiful, timeless car that drives great & has loads of modern features...but the reliability is starting to make the vehicle a lot less appealing.

The Enclave appears to display the qualities of an absolute hit. I've gotta say, the level of execution on this product has been a long time coming; the vehicle seems to be class-leading in every single area, while throwing in a few new tricks. All that's left is competitive pricing, and most importantly, reliability. Without the latter, this star might dim - it's crucial that they nail reliability & durability, because I have a feeling that this is the vehicle that will REALLY get everyone's attention, and not some PR-hogwash about inflated percentages of conquest buyers etc etc. Definitely a very promising vehicle, builds on the success that the GMT-SUV redesign had...keep it up!

Robert Cumberford recently reviewed the Saturn AURA design in Automobile Magazine, but mainly focused on the continuance of GM's bean-counter dominance. He alluded to a prototype previewed to the media in 2004 - remember that buzz of class-leading, innovative interiors? - and how the ultimate product was nothing like the original. He said something along the lines of "the AURA is an example of everything right and wrong within GM - designers and engineers build amazing cars, but it's everyone else in the process that screw things up." An interesting read, worthy of checking out. Being an outsider, I've got to credit the guy for giving me (what I feel is) a more educated eye for automotive design.

This article infers that the GTO did not hit its targets due to the size of its relative market. Which is partly true, but the bigger picture is that the GTO was too plain in design. And so is the new VE. While the new VE has excellent proportions and execution, some of its key styling elements date back to 1999. A more exciting, risky design is necessary to get noticed in the US sport sedan market. Better reliability couldn't hurt as well.

I wouldn't exactly call Motor Trend a "respected source." Their questionable methods and journalistic style change every 2+ years to satisfy the evolving goals of its publisher. As for the Silverado, yes, it does face increased competition. However, from my judgement, this is a solid product - yes it could be better - that will fend off Toyota for a while. However, GM does need to develop a better market focus regarding this segment - the Ridgeline's price was a major fault, but the vehicle itself was innovative...I believe this segment will only grow once manufacturers get the costs down.

Competitive. Not deal-breaking, not class-leading. I like it, but I doubt the authenticity of materials as well as the shaky interior build quality relative to its sister, AURA. Stylistically, it is not very forward thinking, but it is brand-specific. Again, I'd pay extra to have real materials - real aluminum for example. That plastiluminum does not wear well. I'm really pulling for this car - hopefully the bean counters were given Xanax throughout the duration of this project - as it is a crucial piece of GM's future. As a side note, what happened to Hogans Heroes' statement about this project's cancellation?

...as for this auto show season, I'd like to see the following pie-in-the-sky items: 2.) A concept showing the next Cadillac design theme, similar in testicular fortitude to A&S circa '99 3.) A few concepts taking a stab at Pontiac's future direction 4.) A feasible hydrogen-powered concept showng further progress in affordability and practicality 5.) Absolutely no hint of the future styling of the Impala. Surprise me. 6.) A magical agreement between the US Government, UAW, and Big 3 to ease pensions and labor costs while providing sustainable economic relief to the communities which depend on the current wage structure. but most importantly: 1.) The return of the American sedan as a dominant force to be reckoned with - including a design that will be remembered 50 years from now, similar in fame to the '57 Bel Air. And not in concept form.

These pictures show a much more competitive interior - not world-class, but pretty damn nice. The STS continues to be too timid in design, however, and doesn't really make a statement. I remember following this program (much thanks to evok) back in the day. From the things I remember being tossed around about the pre-Lutz STS were: poor stance, disproportinate greenhouse, cheap bumper designs, etc...but I collected that the design was alot more ballsy than what came out - similar to the LaCrosse program. Now that GM seems to be fixing the 'interior' program, it'd be great if they could recapture the forward thinking concepts from the late 90s (ie more balls) while using the newfound discipline that the former organization clearly lacked.

Promising statement. Alludes to a plan that is "all-new." I'm for any plan that stays true to Pontiac's image: youthful, daring, performance specialists. Whether that equates to a lineup of turbocharged pocket rockets or an all-RWD performance line - well, that's not the most important thing. What's important is that GM develop Pontiacs that are solid, differentiated, distinctive, class-leading/inventing with flawless execution. And then, stay true to that plan. Until then, I'm anxiously awaiting a full announcement.

Sell anything that someone would consider 'collectible' on ebay. Also, think of books, clothes, and other products that you haven't used in the past year & consider selling. Or do things illegally and grow a few marijuana plants.

As I've said before the Aztek was a great idea, but the final result was just plain awful. GM had a great plan: introduce a radically styled, innovative, and well-targeted Pontiac in the promising crossover segment. Inspiration for this product will be derived from rally cars and extreme lifestyles. Content available for this vehicle will be class-exclusive and a major point of sale. Additionally, this crossover will increase Pontiac's brand equity and further define the division as perceived by the consumer. Problem #1: Brand Management Structure. Imposes difficult design limitations such as preset dimensions that maximize occupant space but minimize design leverage. Styling must incorporate predetermined character lines and cues, or else. Problem #2: Time-to-Market & Resources Available. Because we had our thumb in our butts and only respond to a market segment when its a sure, quantifiable success, you must develop this crossover in 2.5 years. Unfortunately, we can't use the Theta platform given these time constraints. Nor will we have a competitive powertrain. Let's use our award-winning minivan platform and bump up the hood a few inches and hope customers don't notice the driving dynamics. Problem #3: Pricing. Our outdated business structure says we have to price this vehicle higher than the consumer is willing to pay. Sorry. The Aztek could've been great had it been developed under today's system. I will admit that the styling ideas they had for the vehicle were pretty out there - but also very Pontiac. Also, like the headlights or not, that styling detail can now be seen in Chryslers and BMWs. Under the new GM system - with a little more creativity thrown into the mix - a Pontiac in the spirit of the Aztek would be very successful.

About as polished as you can get this turd...and another reason why Mopar designers and engineers need a lesson from the "finishing school." The bumper is perfect. Some lines are cleaned up, stance is stronger, and the overall cohesiveness of the design is improved. However, those headlights & grille are still terrible, and that C-Pillar is too upright. If Mopar designers were going for the 'fastback' look they should have pulled the C-pillar more inward - requiring the pulling of some strings in engineering and marketing (interior room sacrifices).

That's an amazing front end - really creative! Build it!

1. '07 Altima 2. Accord 3. Camry 4. Passat 5a. AURA 5b. Mazda 6 6. Fusion/Milan 7a. Sonata 7b. Subaru Legacy 7c. Galant 8. G6 9. Impala 10. '07 Stratus (if 3.5L V6 is offered) 11. '07 Sebring 12. Kia Optima 13. Pontiac Grand Prix 14. Suzuki Verona My ratings are purely opinionated. I did not research this thoroughly, this is based on my perceptions, and from what I've analyzed, the midsize's target consumer's mindset and overall competitiveness. Basically, I'm looking at this from a desirability/market relevancy point of view. Price, sales, and my patriotic bias are not a factor here. The Altima continues to be the gold standard. I'd take a marginal hit in reliability than rather be seen in an Accord or Camry. Defintely would invest in a good warranty, though. Overall, this car has the style, execution, differentiation, power, and great "perceived" quality. The Accord and Camry continue to improve. Even with it's more "sporty" restyle and upgraded power, I'd still take the Accord based on looks and comfort. I really don't like a single seat that Toyota has made. The new Passat, initially, looked like a winner. However, that interior I was jazzed up about took a hit in materials quality - the design is great, but the amazing quality of the previous generation just isn't there. I think the design could've been better. Still looks too bloated, rear wheels look especially weak in stance, and I'm still not sold on that giant, clearly plastic(chrome) grill. The AURA is promising. If GM gets the build quality up, that'd really help. Also, longterm reliability is a big, big question. The 6 is its own little beast. And that's what I like about it. Sporty, unique, & nice interior. Could use a power boost. I'm not as big on the Milan/Fusion simply based on styling and unforseen reliability. I would have ranked the Sonata higher, but I'm well aware that Hyundai's reliability continues to be poor. However, the Sonata is a solid looker, has power, and a decent interior. Beware of Hyundai, their relative product improvement over previous generations are huge - and the only way seems up. The G6 would benefit from the 3.6L V6 and a six-speed transmission. As would it benefit from a quality center stack and console. The Impala, especially in SS form, looks really stealthy. Like the G6, tight gaps & well-executed surface details really add to the car's appeal. However, the interior is too plain in style and too cheap in materials. The lack of a 5 or 6 speed tranny adds to its weaknesses. The Sebring will flop. The Stratus has a chance, but its long-term sustainability has little - a case of "hollow product" as seen in the 300 (not C), Magnum, Commander, et al. The Kia Optima is grossly underpowered and very short on style. Kia reliability also stinks. The Grand Prix is the symbol of old GM. Minus the rear, styling is simply ugly. Powertrain is outdated. Interior is laughable. The Verona, while not that bad of a looker, is simply irrelevant.

I'm left cold. Could have been much more effective. Really comes off as derivative: how many times have we seen evolution-ads like this? The photography looks overly cheap, does not pick up on the details. Makes no attempt to make Cadillac an "aspirational" product. DOES attempt show 'pride' for less grandiose Cadillac's of the 1970s...trying to change history, are we? The 70s and 80s weren't so great for Cadillac, image-wise. Modernista has yet to impress...

Alas, GM has a seriously competitive product in the tough mid-size sedan segment. The reviews coming in all seem to agree on that notion. T The final, big factor that is necessary for the vehicle's long-term success is clearly reliability. It seems that GM has not been able to shake build quality woes, as apparent from most reviews. Hopefully, these are just initial problems that won't worsen with time, and, issues that will be fixed come next MY. From here, it is absolutely vital that GM increase investment in the AURA's lifecycle. Take a cue from Nissan and the Altima. Nissan improved the quality of the Altima within 2 years...addressing key weakpoints such as interior materials and build quality. This is the kind of investment that will keep your product not only fresh, but permanent in consumer's minds. On the flip side, look at Ford and the Focus. This car, by and far, was the best compact on the market upon introduction, beating out its competitors in several compraros. But, Ford neglected the Focus, clearly their most successful product in years, and now the vehicle is falling deeply into irrelevancy. So where should the AURA go from here? Ideally, a significant MCE should be on the cards for the 2009 MY. Targets should be: replace the base powertrain with smaller HF V6/6-speed Auto, redesign interior with better materials and better integration, enhance bumpers/grille/lights. As I've always, firmly believed, consumers will pay more for quality, authentic materials, should they be offered. I believe the Mustang has proved this (in a mass market sense), with its authentic brushed aluminum option selling way over projected targets. Additionally, using these kinds of materials are a point of competitive differentiation, and take heed to the increasingly individualistic and expressive consumer population. Or, GM can choose to do what they've often done, opting for a MCE 3 years down, and only changing the styling - not addressing the weakeness and upping quality. All in all, I'd like to see the AURA and upcoming Malibu be "here to stay."

Purely informational for those of you in the market for notebooks: based on the reliability of my Inspiron, I'd advise you to definitely give Dell's competitors a good look. I recently found that the model I own is the victim of a design defect - I now have to replace my hard drive and processor after 13 months of ownership. The cause of this - which I am sure is common with all notebooks (to a certain degree) - relates to an excessively hot battery and a lack of some heat barrier. Unfortunately, my battery was not covered in that massive recall nor has Dell felt the need to notify owners. This diagnosis was made by an on-site Dell tech, who also stated that this is a growing problem. Currently, recovery of the 4 gigs of pictures and video (porn not included) continues at a price that I really wish Dell covered. So far, no dice. Other reliability issues: my DVD-R drive failed and needed replacement after two months of ownership. The battery won't hold its charge past 40 minutes, a problem I mistakenly procrastinated in telling Dell, for I thought its replacement would be covered under the 2-year warranty (I was wrong). Now I'm trying not to complain here, I just want to warn you guys that even the most perceivingly reliable, solid product can be an unreliable, solid stool sample. On that note, how are the Apple notebooks these days?