VIDEO: Saturn Astra Reveal

February 7th, 2007

VIDEO: Saturn Astra Reveal

Take a look at today’s introduction of the Saturn Astra at the Chicago Auto Show.

-Alicia Dorset, blog editor

Posted in Auto Shows

34 Comments

February 8th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Paul

Like the Opel Astra, this one is extremely good looking, safe and functional.

However, unlike the Opel Astra, the Saturn Astra, it doesn’t have the number of engine and transmission options.

According to all the sources I can find, the Saturn Astra is only available with the 1.8L, 140-horsepower Ecotec engine and a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed automatic. This leaves the Astra getting only 27 mpg in the city or 34 mpg on the highway. (Source)

This doesn’t compare favorably to the Corolla or Civic, which will be the primary competitors in this segment.

Come on GM! You’ve got diesel engines in Europe! Bring them over here! Use your clout in Washington to get the emissions regulations loosened for high-mpg diesel engines. Do something!

I had hoped that my next car would be an Astra because they really are that good. And if this was available in a two-mode hybrid or a turbo-diesel engine, I’d buy it. But why would I buy a brand new car that only gets 34 mpg when I can get a certified used one for 2/3 of the price that gets 40+mpg?

I’m very disappointed.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
talonsaab

I am glad that the Astra will finally arive to NA. I’ve been asking why not since the Opel Astra was introduced. It will sell very well against the Golf, Mazda 3 and Civic. I see no mention of a Red Line version yet. GM is missing a big opportunity if the the Opel Astra OPC 3 door is not imported as the Red Line version. It would compete very well against the Golf GT, Civic SI.. etc and would really raise the Saturn and GM image with the younger “tuner” generation. A “hot hatch” is really missing in GMs line up and there is large profit potential in selling accessories and performance upgrades for it. Lets make it happen.
February 8th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Congratulations! Again, for sure this will prove as the right decision. But maybe you should go a step further.

Dear Mrs. Lajdziak, referring to the positive feedback so far, I really would like to suggest, also to consider the all-new Corsa for the US-Market, although it’s initially intended to wait until the NEXT generation Corsa will be unveiled. I strongly believe, the current new Corsa would be the easiest and most inexpensive way to regain market-share from your Asian competitors. When it’s possible to adopt the Astra to the US-Market, this should be valid for the Corsa, too, even more since this beautiful subcompact gained a 5-star rating at EuroNCAP.

I am well aware that decisions like those never are easy, because of costs, exchange-rates or whatsoever.

How about a survey like it was conducted for the Chevy Volt? I could imagine, you might be amazed, how many US-Car-drivers would be interested in purchasing the all-new Corsa.

Use your global presence like it’s done with the new Pontiac G8. And: Please, bring the Aura (especially Green Line!) over to Europe as a replacement for the current (unfortunately) slow-selling Vectra. Thanks for paying attention.
February 8th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Phil

If every car you come out with has the side marker light down on the bumper like that, WHERE’S THE BRAND EQUITY??? Give Cadillac (CTS) it’s uniqueness back!!
February 9th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Andre

The Astra is an Opel wonder. Saturn has done a wonderful job in turning itself around since 2006. The Aura is a big jump from the L300 my mother used to own. The Outlook is a sharp CUV in the same league as the Mazda CX-7. The Sky is the hottest roadster on the market. The upcoming VUE is far more pleasing to the eye than the RAV4 and the CR-V.

Even if the latest Saturns don’t top their classes, they look better than the competition. The Astra is held in high esteem in Europe, and I think that will translate well here in North America. The Astra is a good item to use for promoting fuel-efficient small cars here in the US.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:15 am
noel park

Paul, 2/8/07, 1:48 PM:

Alas, I can only agree with you. My sentiments exactly.

Gereon, 2/8/07, 4:31 PM:

Absolutely right, as usual, about the Corsa. Your comment compliments Paul’s perfectly. The mileage of the proposed US version Astra is clearly not good enough to attract people like me who want to make a statement about fuel economy, but are struggling to wait to buy a GM product and not a Prius/Fit/Yaris.

Gas prices may be a bit lower at the moment, although creeping back up here, but wait until summer.
February 9th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Paul,

almost any of the current European Diesel-engines, regardless the manufacturer, can’t be available in America, because of the US emission-restrictions. BTW, the market-share of Diesels in the States is about 3%. In my opinion it wouldn’t make sense to offer an option, even more, since the vehicle has to be imported, which hardly would be demanded by the public. Even optimistic people over here don’t expect a market-share of Diesel-cars in the US higher than 20% and this wouldn’t happen, as they say, before 2015.

I wouldn’t always overestimate the Japanese competition. Recently, at a comparison test on German TV, the Astra CLEARLY gained the first place against the Honda Civic and others. And the Astra also did win the majority of comparos against the VW Golf. The Astra belongs to the very best-selling compacts in Europe since many years. In comparison, the market-share of its Japanese counterparts doesn’t play any big part at all.

I already test-drove an Astra myself. It’s a compact car providing a midsize-feeling by driving. A former co-worker initially would get an Audi A4 as a company-supplied car. Finally the order was changed into an Astra. Guess, what he said after he drove his new car: “The Astra is absolutely gorgeous! I am glad, that I didn’t get another model!”

The Astra WILL succeed in the US, either. Definitely.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Noel,

I just looked at Opel.de for the Astra’s fuel-consumption ratings (1.8/140HP), referring to standard 1999/100/EG. The official rating for driving outside the city : 5.8 - 6.0 liters/100km = 39.2 - 40.5 mpg! Only the number for the city (27 mpg), mentioned by Paul, roughly agrees with “our” rating.

Before I purchased my 2001 Alero, I always used to drive Opels. And in most cases the real fuel-economy was even slightly better than the rating!

In Germany and other European countries we have to pay 6.50$/Gallon or even more. Consequently people over here are at least the same or even more focused on excellent fuel-efficiency like you. The Astra for sure wouldn’t have been that successful without a competitive gas consumption.

In the meanwhile the all-new Saturn Vue’s twin-brother, the Opel Antara, is running on our roads, too. This will be the next story of success for Saturn, even more as the Green Line version. In my opinion everything looks very promising for Saturn. They just have to go on that way.

Have a nice weekend.
February 9th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Rick Lupori

Jill: I am surprised at the low MPG, from my calculations (source: Opel website) the 1.8L VVT should get 23/39 (10.0/6.0) with 5M and 22/37 (10.5/6.2) with 4A. Hopefully, the Astra will get that in the real world.

The Astra will attract many new buyers with the versatile and stylish 3 and 5 door models although I am holding out for a 3-door Redline with panoramic roof.

Saturn must bring the 4-door Astra with it’s world class passenger and trunk room to retain current sedan owners, and it’s time Saturn remembered their loyal SW1 and SW2 owners and offer the Astra Estate with it’s great looks and large cargo area.

The Astra I want to see is the Twin-Top in a Quad-Coupe Hardtop version, since exchange rates make the convertible too costly.

Why not bring some 4-door, Estate and Twin-Top models to the New York Auto Show and find out what the public thinks. These models will not steal sales from the 3 and 5 door models and will only broaden the Astra’s appeal.
February 11th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Paul

Gereon,

One of the reasons I think the Astra is so successful in Europe is that it’s got so many engine configurations. There are three different gasoline engines and two diesels available as options, along with three different transmissions.

The drivetrain on the options is like Henry Ford’s color choices on the Model T. “You can have it in any color you want, as long as it’s black.”

Also, I seem to remember Bob Lutz saying not too long ago that GM would be competing in every market, even niche markets like diesels and high-mileage cars.

If VW can offer diesels in the US, why can’t GM? And if GM is insistent on gasoline engines, why not offer a hybrid option to compete directly with the Prius? Why not a six speed automatic or CVT transmission that would improve the gas mileage.

GM doesn’t seem to understand that people who buy small cars buy them, in part, for their good gas mileage. Why buy an Astra that only gets 34mpg on the highway when you could buy a Corolla that gets over 40?

If GM wanted to, they could bring a diesel or a hybrid Astra or at the very least one other engine option over that gets better gas mileage. They just don’t seem to want my business.
February 11th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Zach Hudson

One word, Diesel!
February 11th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Rick Lupori

Jill: Paul, Gereon and Noel are correct about the need to offer an Astra model that gets over 40 MPG.

There are quite a few to choose from; one being the new 115 HP 1.6L at 27/45 with 5M and 26/47 with the 5 speed Easytronic (electronic shift manual). The new 180 HP 1.6L Turbo is another option and although it only gets 38 MPG the performance will attract young tuner buyers.

Adding the 6-speed Easytronic to the 1.8L or changing the automatic to a 5 or 6 speed would put it over 40 MPG.

Paul is right about putting pressure on Washington, unfortunately GM will have to take a chance and offer the 1.3L Turbo-Diesel and hope the 38/59 MPG attract enough buyers to open our governments eyes.

Hopefully powertrain updates like these will be available in 2009 along with the Zafira.
February 12th, 2007 at 11:56 am
noel park

Hi Gereon, Paul and Rick:

Thank you, as always for your thoughtful and informative comments.

The 5 door configuration is exactly what we want, so they have that part right for us for sure.

As to the Green Line Antara/Vue, what do you suppose happened to the “plug-in Vue”? There was a big splash after the LA show but it seemed to get swept away in all of the Volt publicity.

My sense was that it was something that could go forward with existing battery technology, as opposed to waiting who knows how long for the magic batteries it seems to take to make the Volt work.

Was that just wishful thinking on my part? Does the bigger Vue platform allow it to carry the heavier/more bulky conventional batteries? Has anybody heard anything about the status of this project? Bob?

I called the local Saturn dealer and told them that I would put down a deposit, but no iterest. I took them the press clippings, which they professed to find interesting.
February 12th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

“Why buy an Astra that only gets 34mpg on the highway when you could buy a Corolla that gets over 40?” - Paul

Because the Astra obviously is regarded as the better, more sophisticated car. There had been sold 108313 Astra in Germany alone (in 2006), but just 43465 Corolla (decline 3.7%). Although we are paying 6.50 - 7$/Gallon, this didn’t help the Corolla, neither. BTW, referring to our standards, the Astra’s mileage (1.8/140HP) is about 40 mpg.

In my opinion Diesels also have a significant downside. NO2 contributes to cancer. No serious scientist has any doubt about that. I can assure you, my wife’s co-worker (New Beetle, 1.9 TDi) sometimes is pretty envious, as she sees how much only my wife’s paying by filling up her Aveo with LPG.
February 12th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
noel park

Gereon:

Alas, you are too correct about diesels and cancer. The fine particulate matter (soot) emitted by diesels is even more dangerous than the NO2.

We live near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Between them, they are the largest concentrated source of diesel emissions in the US. A doctor friend of ours did a search of medical papers and cme up with 30 health “end points” including stroke, heart attack, asthma, COPD, low birth weight, increased incidence of still birth, and many others. These are related to diesel exhaust by peer reviewed medical research. Meanwhile, the cancer risk calculated by our local Air Pollution Control District must be seen to be believed.

These are the reasons it is so difficult to get emissions certification for diesel cars in California and the US. Of course, the uncontrolled ships, trains, trucks, and container yard equipment go merrily on poisoning the air.

DB and Honda both claim that they have technology which will now control this. If so, bring on the more efficient diesels, but be very careful of our health.

This is why we chose an 8.1 gas engine instead of a diesel in our 3500 pickup which tows our race cars. It is a gas guzzling SOB, but the exhaust is remarkably clean.
February 13th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Noel,

in the meanwhile the particles not even would be the big problem any longer, since almost any of the Diesel-cars on the market over here have maintenance-free filters for that purpose in the exhaust-systems.

It would be too sad, if you couldn’t see permanently what’s going on over here. This morning, on German TV our former Secretary of Environmental Affairs, Mrs. Kuenast, was cited, that she recommends buying Hybrid-Vehicles. Suddenly all our journalists, who once praised German auto-industry for the efforts, regarding Diesels, now are worried, whether it might break the neck of the domestic manufacturers, if they continue oversleeping the developments. You see, that’s exactly what I said a time ago. Anybody is always blaming the Big 3 for paying late in Hybrids, but nobody cared about the policy of the Europeans/Germans. Now the reality comes closer… How used to say former Soviet President, Mr. Gorbatchev? “Who’s coming too late, will be punished by life.”

Not to mention the CO2-discussions over here, especially triggered by the EC.

For that reason, again: Opel should get ASAP the Hybrid drive systems of the Aura or Vue Green Line for their Astra, Vectra and Antara. It would be the unique chance to get at the top, regarding hybrids, among the German auto-industry.

Well, that’s off topic, but guess, what I did read at the “Autozeitung”: The first year’s production of the Opel GT (Saturn Sky) already is nearly sold out, all over Germany. You see, American auto-workers also take benefits from the joint operations of Saturn and Opel.
February 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
noel park

Hi Gereon:

Right on target, as always.

I guess the Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) available in Europe are not efficient enough to meet US, and particularly California, standards yet. DB has this technology to inject urea into the exhaust stream which supposedly will be certified here soon. Honda says they can do it without the urea. We’ll see.

There are actually DPFs certified for trucks in California now, but reliability and durability are still question marks. They have to “burn off” periodically, which seems to be a bit chancy so far.

On the other hand, my understanding is that diesels are better on C02, maybe just because of the better fuel efficiency. They are terrible on NOX, as you correctly point out. Some research shows that the NOX morphs into more particulate. It all boils down to be careful what you ask for you might get it!

As many bloggers have pointed out, if you could use the DB, Honda, or other technology to scrub the diesel as clean as a gas engine, and then use it in a hybrid, some realy good mileage numbers might result. Add plug in capability and over 100 mpg should be within reach.
February 13th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Noel,

CNG leads to a decrease of 25% regarding CO2. LPG-Vehicles at least blow 15% less CO2 into the atmosphere and 80% less toxic gases in general. I don’t understand why politicians from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean don’t pay attention to this facts. This makes it evident, that they simply are not familiar with the matter or it’s a sign of ignorance. Or lobby-ism. Or all together.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
noel park

Hi Gereon:

All together.

Honda markets a CNG Civic here. As a designated “clean air vehicle”, it is allowed in the carpool lanes with only one person. They even developed a home fueling unit which allows it to be refueled over night off the home gas service. You almost never see them, however.

Ford offered a CNG Crown Victoria for awhile. They are still in demand by some LA area commuters.

How many times have we said, “If GM only offered _____, we would buy one?”

For example, I said it about the LPG Aveo the minute you said it was available in Europe.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Paul

The Astra for sure wouldn’t have been that successful without a competitive gas consumption. - Gereon Langlitz

I completely agree. And that’s why there are engines like a 1.7L diesel or a 1.3L gas engine that get much better mileage than the 1.8L that’s being released in the US.

What I’m arguing isn’t that there’s a market for the 1.8L, but that GM is ignoring the market for the smaller engines and the diesels. Let me reiterate: I’d buy an Astra if it got better mileage.

And I’d buy an Aveo if I could fill it up with the natural gas that’s piped into my house. I’d buy a Chevy if it were a plugin like the Volt.

But what does GM keep making? Large sedans. Big SUVs. Trucks. Small cars that don’t compare favorably to other small cars.

I’m beginning think, as I did before I visited this blog, that GM doesn’t make cars for people like me. And my opinion of GM is only going to degrade until I get a tangible sign that they want to make cars that get good gas mileage.
February 15th, 2007 at 11:23 am
noel park

Thank you Paul, 2/15/07, 10:22 AM. Well said!
February 16th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Paul,

the Asian competition is offering smaller engines and Diesels over here, either. But why doesn’t play their market-share any big part in comparison to the Opel Astra in Europe? Think about it. BTW, Opel also offers CNG-Cars.
February 16th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Paul,

just let me add this: At Toyota Germany I found the following data: Toyota Corolla 1.4 (97HP only!): 6.7 liters/100km (combined)=35 mpg.

Opel Germany: Astra 1.8 (140HP): 7.3 liters/100km(combined)=32.2 mpg

These are official figures referring to standard 1999/100/EG.

So I really wonder, how you could come to the conclusion, that a Toyota Corolla would be more fuel-efficient than a Saturn Astra.
February 19th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Paul

Gereon,

That’s not really comparing apples to apples.

The base Corolla available in the US is a 1.8L VVTi and makes 32 city, 41 highway with a manual transmission.

The only Astra that will be available in the states gets 27 in the city and 34 on the highway.

This is using the same EPA testing methods.

And the biggest problem isn’t that it gets such comparatively poor mileage, it’s that there aren’t any other engines available and only two relatively old-fashioned transmissions.

There’s no way for me to get an engine with a smaller displacement and lower horsepower if I want to.
February 19th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Rick Lupori

Hi Paul

I understand your frustration and I’m not sure this will help but my guess is GM is introducing the Astra with a single engine to reduce variables so that they can focus on getting vehicles were they need to be and taking care of any problems that may come up.

I totally agree that the Astra should get class leading MPG. The new 115 HP 1.6L VVT gas engine with 5-speed manual is rated at 27/45 little higher with 5 speed Easytronic 28/47 MPG 36 combined and the 1.3 T-Diesel with 6-speed manual is rated at 38/59 MPG 49 combined and with 6 speed Easytronic 37/56 MPG 47 combined.

Hopefully after launch GM will introduce one of these high MPG drivetrains in the U.S.

GM must offer a conventional high MPG vehicle to improve its image and gain credibility.

Offering family cars that can get 35 MPG in the real world has limited effect when the EPA label says 31-32 MPG. As you have correctly pointed out GM needs that 40 MPG plus EPA label for marketing.
February 20th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Paul and Rick,

to be honest, I have some serious doubt about the EPA-ratings, concerning the Astra. 34 mpg (highway) compares to 6.9 liters/100km. The Astra’s rating in Europe, for driving outside the city, is only about 6.0 liters/100km = 39.2 mpg. Why should its fuel-consumption be higher on US-Highways, where you have speed-limits everywhere in contrast to Germany? This doesn’t sound plausible at all to me. I really can’t explain those big differences.

Like I already mentioned, I used to drive Opels from 1986 to 2001. Basically the ratings, which I found on the data-sheets from Opel, had been reached actually at daily driving or sometimes the real fuel-efficiency was even better than the rating. I can assure you, not only the Diesels, but also the gasoline-engines from Opel, regardless the size, repeatedly gain praise at our comparison tests because of their fuel-efficiency.
February 21st, 2007 at 5:42 am
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

“Gereon,
That’s not really comparing apples to apples.” - from Paul

Right. I think it’s embarrassing for Toyota, as their significantly weaker (43HP difference) Corolla only gets a slightly better (0.6 liters) mileage at the EC-Rating, than the 1.8 Astra.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Rick Lupori

Hi Gereon, I agree with you on our EPA ratings vs. the EC rating. The EPA highway rating up to 2007 is done at a steady speed below 70 MPH, I think it may even be below 60 MPH so it is hard to figure the large gap between the ratings. The Astra ratings are 2008 ratings and will be lower than the 2007 ones since the speed for the highway test is higher and the A/C is on.

U.S. GM models do share the European models ability to deliver higher MPG than rated in real world conditions. Every owner of a G6, Malibu, Impala, Regal I have talked to with the base V-6 gets over 30 MPG at 75 MPH in the real world and I have heard as high as 40 MPG for 2.2L Malibu models.
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Hi Rick,

thanks for your response and information. Concerning the GMNA-Models I also agree. My oldest brother is living in Florida since 1999. He’s driving a Pontiac G6 (6-cylinder) and he’s very pleased with the mileage, either.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Michael

Please bring the diesels, I don’t want to waste money on gas when I could have a cheaper alternative.
October 3rd, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Earl

Why do we have to compromise omissions for diesels? VW’s diesel will meet California’s rules for 2008. CA is tougher than the Feds.

I like the Astra but I am unimpressed with MPG.

I have a 2006 Scion Xa that gets 37+. I need something that handles better in the snow as I travel mountain passes at least once a week in the winter.

I would love to buy from a US automaker, but it is hard finding a car that has reasonable handling, MPG and a little safety.

I bought a Ford Focus SVT for my son in 2004. What a gas! Looks good, 170 HP, 6 speed, great handling, reasonable MPG, and inexpensive. So what does Ford do? They stop producing it…

I was looking at the new Scion’s but ruled them out when I discovered the economy went down by 4-5 mpg.

Detriot, I am trying. Help me…
November 6th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Jeff

Hey guys,
What you are neglecting to notice is that the Astra is using the NEW 2008 EPA ratings. I looked at the 2007 Civic with the old rating it showed 30/38 but the 2008 showed 26/34 so the Astra is right in line with these vehicles.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
meese

with oil near $100, i am waiting to buy my next new car…and it will have to get close to 40mpg in the city. so far it looks like only the smart car will do it in 2008. I may buy a smart because the car makers refuse to import small 1.3, 1.5 L engines or the european diesels. it is coming, just a matter of when! i considered the corolla, but a 1.8L engine is not good enough on fuel economy and the astra is about the same. I’m planning ahead on my next car purchase for gas to be $4 or $5. i don’t want to spend $15k and then the fuel economy is not good enough with gas $5.
December 15th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
joe

My 2001 SL2 with 150K still gets 40 MPG, bring it back.

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FastLane

VIDEO: Saturn Astra Reveal

34 Comments

Paul

talonsaab

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Phil

Andre

noel park

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Rick Lupori

Paul

Zach Hudson

Rick Lupori

noel park

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

noel park

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

noel park

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

noel park

Paul

noel park

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Paul

Rick Lupori

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Rick Lupori

Gereon Langlitz (Germany)

Michael

Earl

Jeff

meese

joe

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