Saturn's Future, Opel's Shoulders. Future Saturn Products Stem From European Opels

[coolmazda5]

We've applauded GM's decision to transform Saturn from a brand associated with basic transportation to one exhibiting European style. If you're of the same mindset, you'll like what's in store for the brand. We're told to expect more badge-engineered Opels straight from the Continent, and here's but a taste of what's in the pipeline.

2010
By this point, Saturn's Aura - the sedan whose design helped spark the brand's rejuvenation - will be five years old. Hoping to keep the car from getting too long in the tooth, we're told designers will freshen the car for the 2010 model year. Don't expect anything too grandiose; a new Aura will arrive by 2012.

2011
Saturn's only been importing the Opel Astra for a year, but the Astra itself was last redesigned in 2004. An all-new Astra, sharing the new global Delta platform with the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, will arrive in the U.S. in 2011. In a move to cut costs and actually make money on the car, expect the new Saturn Astra to be built in Mexico, not Belgium.

Automotive News claims another Opel product should debut in the same year. Bolstered by the success of the Mazda5 in the U.S. market, the next iteration of Opel's Zafira - also a "mini-minivan" - will cross the pond with Saturn badges. Also sharing the Astra's Delta platform, the Zafira (should the name remain the same) will seat approximately six or seven, albeit third-row seating will be extremely tight.


2012
The refreshed Aura will last but two years, falling away in favor of an all-new car based off the shapely Opel Insignia, which arrives in European showrooms in late 2008. Expect the Saturn form to arrive only in sedan form, abandoning the attractive wagon form introduced at the 2008 London motor show.

A possible arrival is a crossover slotting in below the Vue SUV. Should it be approved, the vehicle would ride on GM's new Gamma platform, which will also support the next Opel Corsa.

2013
Speaking of that car, there's some buzz about the Corsa arriving in Saturn's lineup. Although Saturn executives are reportedly "on the fence" about importing the subcompact Opel Corsa, sources at GM tell us that the Gamma platform is a hot topic within the design studios. If deemed worthy for our shores, the Corsa wouldn't debut until 2013.


Source:
http://blogs.automobilemag.com/6271...-products-stem-from-european-opels/index.html

 

[coolmazda5]

Yeah! Bring the Zafira! (naughty)

 

[mikeyb]

I think GM should bring all the Opels here as Saturns.

Agila

Corsa

Meriva

 

[mikeyb]

Yeah! Bring the Zafira! (naughty)

Yea bring the Zafira VXR as a Zafira Redline.

with its 240hp 2.0 Ecotec 4cyl.

 

[genericuser]

so is that an mpv or a wagon?

 

[coolmazda5]

It is an MPV w/o the sliding doors (or a bloated wagon?, LOL)

 

[coolmazda5]

Yea bring the Zafira VXR as a Zafira Redline with its 240hp 2.0 Ecotec 4cyl.

It is the same engine as the new Cobalt SS, right?

 

[mikeyb]

It is the same engine as the new Cobalt SS, right?

Its the same just detuned.

 

[coolmazda5]

Its the same just detuned.

Forget it, no Zafira RedLine for me, detuned, boooh!... LOL, no seriously, a people mover with 240hp and 6MT would be sweet, and again, would bring the MAZDASPEED5 a little bit closer to reality...

 

[Mallard]

It is the same engine as the new Cobalt SS, right?

No, it is not the same engine as anything in the states. It's not even an 'Ecotec' in design, not sure if that's actually what they call it, but it's not even close to a Cobalt SS engine.

 

[coolmazda5]

No, it is not the same engine as anything in the states. It's not even an 'Ecotec' in design, not sure if that's actually what they call it, but it's not even close to a Cobalt SS engine.

Hmmm, I've read it somewhere earlier that they are the same engine, just wanted to confirm if it also goes to the Zafira OPC/VXR (which makes sense as she is like the big sis)...

Check this out:

Confirmed for arrival in the second quarter of 2008 in coupe form, General Motors is set to debut the 2008 Cobalt SS at SEMA starting tomorrow October 30. In sedan form the Cobalt SS is expected to arrive in dealerships a few months after the coupe. Equipped with the Opel 2.0 liter Ecotec 260hp (194 kW) turbo engine found in the Chevy HHR SS, Opel Astra OPC and Pontiac Solstice, the 2008 Cobalt SS packs 55 more horsepower more than the previous supercharged Cobalt SS and delivers a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

Main highlights of the SS package include a 5-speed manual trans with short-throw shifter, sport suspension, Brembo brakes, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, SS appearance package consisting of front bumper fascia with integrated projector-beam fog lights, mesh grille, SS-badged rocker panels, rear bumper fascia with prominent exhaust tip outlet and optional boy-racer high wing-style spoiler which replaces the smaller standard rear deck lid spoiler.

Interior gets upgrades as well with SS-embroidered sport seats with pseudo-suede inserts, SS gauge cluster and a turbo boost gauge mounted to the windshield pillar for easy eye-level visibility.

Source:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071029.003/2008-chevrolet-cobalt-ss#

 

[Mallard]

Hmmm, I've read it somewhere earlier that they are the same engine, just wanted to confirm if it also goes to the Zafira OPC/VXR (which makes sense as she is like the big sis)...

Check this out:

Confirmed for arrival in the second quarter of 2008 in coupe form, General Motors is set to debut the 2008 Cobalt SS at SEMA starting tomorrow October 30. In sedan form the Cobalt SS is expected to arrive in dealerships a few months after the coupe. Equipped with the Opel 2.0 liter Ecotec 260hp (194 kW) turbo engine found in the Chevy HHR SS, Opel Astra OPC and Pontiac Solstice, the 2008 Cobalt SS packs 55 more horsepower more than the previous supercharged Cobalt SS and delivers a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

Main highlights of the SS package include a 5-speed manual trans with short-throw shifter, sport suspension, Brembo brakes, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, SS appearance package consisting of front bumper fascia with integrated projector-beam fog lights, mesh grille, SS-badged rocker panels, rear bumper fascia with prominent exhaust tip outlet and optional boy-racer high wing-style spoiler which replaces the smaller standard rear deck lid spoiler.

Interior gets upgrades as well with SS-embroidered sport seats with pseudo-suede inserts, SS gauge cluster and a turbo boost gauge mounted to the windshield pillar for easy eye-level visibility.

Source:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071029.003/2008-chevrolet-cobalt-ss#

The Ecotec in the Cobalt SS first debuted in the Pontiac Solstice and Satrun Sky. It is only used in the Solstice, Sky, HHR SS, and Cobalt SS at this point.

The Astra and Zafira OPC use a completely different engine. It does not have direct injection, and looking at that pic of the Zafira's engine bay, the ignition is completely different, and the cams are belt driven (on all Ecotec's the cams are chain driven and are inside the block. You can access the chain my taking off the cam cover or the pan/girdle).

The turbo Opel engines have been around for a while and don't share any parts with anything stateside, AFAIK.

 

[coolmazda5]

Allready, good to know, somebody is then confused in the auto news and articles (poke), I think I've seen it twice... and GM is way too big to know what they have ...