stickmax

Is this intended for the 2008 or 2009 MY? And when will it be release in North America?

The profile would be substantially better if C-pillar didn't slop to the edge of the car but instead stopped short of it and the car had a short trunk instead.

Maybe if it had flying buttresses.

I'm imagining something more along the lines of the Chevy SS concept and less similar to the Opel Insignia concept.

The SRX has been the only Cadillac vehicle regarded as class leading by the media. It would be stupid for GM to throw that away.

The profile would be substantially better if C-pillar didn't slop to the edge of the car but instead stopped short of it and the car had a short trunk instead.

FOG is on the right track. I would like to see both as well. Pontiac is supposed to get an Alpha G6 which could serve as the basis of the Firebird. The Zeta coupe could be the GTO only with a V8 standard unlike the Camaro. Eventually the G8 could move to Zeta and be produced domestically.

I'm hoping to see the 3-door, 5-door, wagon, and convertible models. Europe can keep the sedan which really isn't the same car anyhow. I plan on end up with either a 3-door Astra or Mazda3 sedan by the spring of '08.

#1 Buick Lucerne

Cadillac CTS

Saab 9-3

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Pontiac Grand Prix

GMC Envoy Denali

The only one I can see myself owning is the 9-3. I would have thought the G6 and Aura would have made my list.

I'd like to second the request for a side-by-side comparision with the Outlook. Have production images of the Enclave been released yet?

Overall, I think the Acadia looks to much like the Outlook and feel the third Lambda should have been given to SAAB instead of GMC. One Lambda is engough for PGB dealers.

Could someone please explain to me what is the difference between DSG and other 'manualmatic' systems?

I don't think a larger SAAB line would automatically be a failure. Look at what Ford has done with Volvo. cavalier36's idea are very similar to my own exept for using Kappa and RWD Sigma based vehicles.

Certainly:

9-1 sedan, convertible, 3-door hatch, 5-door hatch and wagon on next generation Delta

9-3 sedan, hatchback sedan, convertible, and wagon on short-wheelbase Epsilion

9-4 SUV on long-wheelbase Theta

9-5 sedan and wagon on long-wheelbase Epsilion

9-6 SUV on Lambda

Possibly:

9-2 SUV on compact or short-wheelbase Theta

9-7 sedan on Chi or AWD only Zeta or Sigma

Sonnett roadster, coupe, and shooting brake on Gamma or Delta

Call me a traditionalist, but I would have rather seen Bumblebee remain a Beetle. There are several Autobot who could have been reimagined as a Camaro. Even then, I would have prefer a third gen over a second gen given the Transformer's 80's heritage.

On the other hand, I don't think Hasbro requested permission from VW for the orginal Bumblebee are not in favor of having thier vehicles depicted in a militaristic manner. Something about Germany trying to take over the world a couple decades back.

It might be hard to believe but apparently someone has traded in a Solstice at the Chrysler dealership across from where I work. Has anyone else seen any preowned Solstices already?

How many Thetas are there any how?

Sub-Theta

Theta-Epsilion

Theta-short wheelbase (VUE)

Theta-long wheelbase (Equinox)

Any others?

I agree that Pontiac, SAAB, and Cadillac though I would substitute Saturn for Buick. Pontiac and Cadillac's both need to be RWD however.

I like the current version better which is not to say this revision looks bad. Just that too many other cars have the scalloped headlight and clear backlight look.

What's with the thing on the roof? T-top? Maxima mohawk style sunroof?

GM has virtually guaranteed my next car will be a Mazda3. I would have been willing to wait for a redesigned ION but I have no interest in a rebadged Brazilian Vectra, Cobalt, or Forenza. I'd love to see the Astra brought here but by the time it arrives and I'm comfortable the dealer's maintenance department have things figured out it will be too late.

P.S. On top of those changes here are a few additions I would like to see but understand they may be unrealistic but I feel should be heard.

- More body styles:

2 door coupe

3 door hatch

5 door hatch (similar to that of the Mazda 6 and Opel Vectra 5 door models)

I'd like to second the request for additional body styles though my choices are different:

1) Wagon

2) Opel Insignia inspired coupe with rear reverse access doors and a hatch

3) Convertible if the Astra convertible is not brought to the states and the NG G6 is RWD

I agree wholeheartedly with the idea of adding piano black finish and aluminum trim to the interior of the Aura. Rims inspired by the original concept would be an excellent addition as well.

It looks the the story originated at SaturnFans. A revised version carries this message:

A draft version of this story was mistakenly posted for a few hours in the middle of the night earlier today. It contained some bits of erroneous information that should have not been included in the article. The original story should have never been posted in public view on this site, and I apologize for any confusion that it might have caused.

I have mixed feelings on this one.

A) It has been watered down from the "production concept."

B) The Aura is the best of the domestic Epsilon sedans in my opinion thought the 9-3, Vectra, and G6 coupe and convertible are better.

Could it be worse? Yes. Could to be better? Yes.

It's certainly not as bad as what was done to the G6. It feels like it was just yesterday we were arguing the same thing about that car.

Some changes to the front end, specifically the chrome bar and fog lights would go a long way. I'm hoping that the Red Line is closer to the original concept. I've been dissapointed by the cartoonish direction the G6 GXP has taken and hope that the Aura Red Line offers a more mature alternative. A turboed 2.8L with a six automatic would be nice if anyone's listening.

Wasn't this originally a GMI scoop as I saw it on their website? The faslified information that was leaked, that is.

For the record, I saw it first on CamaroZ28.com which had a link to GMI though SaturnFans.com was reporting it as well and is usually accurate.

SaturnFans has pulled this story and insiders at other boards are saying that its not true. The Aura will still be receiving the HF 3.6L along with the HV 3.5L. It seems the rumor mills have been in overdrive at Saturn the last few months between this, the Sky automatic transmission, and the Outlook stories.

Carguy brings up an interesting point. Which brand should get the HF engines and which shouldn’t? I would rather have the HF 2.8L than the 3.5L however. Given the markets that Saturn is pursuing I think it is more important that Saturn (along with Cadillac and Saab) get the HF engine than Buick. There are Buick customers who would rather stay with the 3800 than move to the HV engines let alone the HF ones.

SaturnFans have since pull this story.

AURA Expected to be More Powerful than Competition

According to SaturnFans the Aura will initially be offered in two trim levels: The XE will receive the 230HP 3.5L V6, while the XR will be powered by 275hp 3.9L V6 with to a 6-speed transmission. A 4-cylinder hybrid-electric AURA Green Line version is rumored for 2008.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I know that OHC engines are necessarily better than OHV ones but the portion of the general public that knows there is a different favors OHC engines. Not to mention the fact that I thought Saturn wasn't going to be watered-down. So much for brand differentiation. Even Olds used DOHC engines during its time as an import fighter. I was afraid something like this was going to happen when I was the G6 GXP using the 3.9 not 3.6. Also who chose XE and XR as trim designations? I think something more original could have been chosen.

There seems to be some debate as to what the X6 is. I've heard two stories:

1) It's essentially a BMW CLS as seen above. A so-called “four-door coupe.”

2) It's a more “athletic”, FX-like version of the X5.

The picture below represents the second interpretation.

I can't understand why BMW needs the V5 and the X6 (or for that matter what the difference between them is supposed to be).