Rebadged Opel Astra will come to U.S. at end of 2007 as Saturn Ion

[.paul]

I can see these with Saturn badges on them.

I remember watching a Top Gear episode where they tested this car. The torque steer on it was positively absurd. It seemed like if you thought about accelerating the car would pull off to the left. It also understeered like mad. It was however, incredibly fast in a straight line...once it was done torque steering.

 

[Kansei]

I remember watching a Top Gear episode where they tested this car. The torque steer on it was positively absurd. It seemed like if you thought about accelerating the car would pull off to the left. It also understeered like mad. It was however, incredibly fast in a straight line...once it was done torque steering.

I wouldn't mind if it had an FS-DE in it if it looked hot like it does

If Nissan can fix torque steer with the VQ monster (by lowering the engine about 1 inch and having equal length front axles) I don't see why Opel has such a hard time? German Engineering FTL?

Well it did take Nissan quite a few years to fix the problem too I guess..

 

[.paul]

FS-DE is that the engine in the P5?

 

[Kansei]

hell yeah it is

 

[JOS3]

if they bring the opel astra opc over with the same specs as it has in europe,and they dont replace the doors with plastic ones, i may just buy an american car. my first mod would be buying euro-spec badges

 

[Kansei]

my first mod would be buying euro-spec badges

definitely necessary. As of right now I think the vue is the only model in their lineup that still has the plastic panels. I don't think the ion has them, I read something about them being built on a GM assembly line not equipped for that sort of thing. I know the Sky and Aura don't have the plastic panels.

Hopefully it'll remedy the terrible panel gap Saturns are plagued with.

 

[.paul]

Hopefully it'll remedy the terrible panel gap Saturns are plagued with.

I think that's just a byproduct of cruddy products and careless design.

 

[mikeyb]

if they bring the opel astra opc over with the same specs as it has in europe,and they dont replace the doors with plastic ones, i may just buy an american car. my first mod would be buying euro-spec badges

Saturn will be no longer doing plastic exterior panels on their new vehicles.

 

[dmitrik4]

that's too bad...lighter and more damage-resistant than steel = better.

 

[Mallard]

I think that's just a byproduct of cruddy products and careless design.

No, the larger panel gaps comes from the plastic panels. They have to account for expansion and contraction of the material int he hot/cold. Plastc expands/contracts more then metal, so you're left with larger gaps so there's no interference on hot days/climates.

 

[YellowMP5]

looks decent. i am glad we are starting to see small cars that actually look nice, not the festiva, aspire, exel, echo...crap that was put out a while back. i can actually see myself in one of these newer smaller cars, even though i want a mustang gt, it is sure better on the gas especially at $3+ at gallon.