Answering Saturn Questions
Editor’s note: Back in January, Saturn showcased several tech-related announcements at the North American International Auto Show here in Detroit. We received a lot of good questions from the post on FastLane, so today Kyle Johnson, Director of Saturn Communications, checks back in with us. He’s got answers to some of the questions posted by our readers. Thanks for the great responses, and keep them coming. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor
Q: A coupe version could be cool also. -Paul Eccles
A: Coupe version of what, Vue or Flextreme (or other)?
Q: If the industry was able to design and build vehicles that weren’t even on the drawing boards in just months, why is GM unable or unwilling to do the same with regards to plug-ins and electric only vehicles? -Kevin R
A: Those vehicles that move quickly from drawing board to production use validated components. Plug-ins and electric vehicles will rely on technologies/components that have recently been invented and need to go through extensive validation to prove the designs are robust.
Q: This Vue is made to meet new CAFE, so does that mean that the two-mode will cost 6G’s more? -Mike
A: We haven’t determined pricing on the two-mode option on the Vue. That will happen later this year and we’ll announce pricing in the third or fourth quarter. But the technology is currently expensive.
Q: How about eliminating the hybrid powertrains and just getting the weight under 4,000 lbs. This Vue weighs as much as a 1970s Cadillac! -Adam
A: And 1970s Cadillacs didn’t have the crashworthiness, air bags, ABS, entertainment, navigation, emissions controls and other advanced systems that make the Vue more capable than a 1970s Cadillac. This is an apples-to-oranges comparison.
Q: Was the two-mode hybrid system ever considered with a 1.8L Ecotec engine instead of a V6? -Darren
A: There are a lot of technologies, including hybrid technology, that we haven’t yet discussed publicly. I’m not saying yes and I’m not saying no — stay tuned.
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Please, please, answer this question. Will there be a Redline of the Aura? I mean, there has to be. When I first saw the Aura at the Boston auto show 2 years ago, it blew me away. The concept was one of the most beautiful concepts that was close to production that I have ever seen. I test drove an Aura the day it showed up at dealers. The Aura and Malibu, among a couple of other cars, are being considered for my next car when my current lease is up this Summer. If there was a redline, especially one that brought back the bulked up look of the concept, no contest. Hands down the car I get. Please bring us a redline!
I have a question and a suggestion: Who/what artist created the “hail to the chief” remixed song in the Prez day GM ads? Since you guys aired this commercial practically everywhere, there’s a good number of people (young demo) on the net trying to find the song. That being said, I highly suggest that you keep this song and ad campaign going for all future saturn commercials, it would really go well with your rethink American slogan.
The more I look at it; the more I believe GM is taking Saturn in the wrong direction.
Chevrolet should continue being designed and manufactured in America. No problem here.
Buick would be the better brand to Opel-ize to compete with Audi/VW in the Euro segment. Buick sales would undoubtedly increase as a result to about 700,000 units annually.
Pontiac should tackle Toyota head on in all categories. Have the GMAP (Holden/Daewoo) division design and manufacture this new ‘Asian beater’ line. This would boost Pontiac’s sales numbers tremendously to about 700,000 units annually, and stick a thorn in the side of Toyota as well.
But what happens to Saturn? This is where I think GM could gain some great PR and customer recognition value. Turn Saturn into GM’s Green Machine.
Rebrand the Chevy Volt as the Saturn I.
Design a green version of the Saturn Sky calling it Saturn II.
And call the wild E-Flex concept the Saturn III or IV!
This way GM would have all their bases covered, and each division would have its own identity and raison d’etre. Capiche?
A: And 1970s Cadillacs didn’t have the crashworthiness, air bags, ABS, entertainment, navigation, emissions controls and other advanced systems that make the Vue more capable than a 1970s Cadillac. This is an apples-to-oranges comparison.
I can’t be sure, because i didn’t ask the question, but I believe the idea was to point out that the 70’s caddy was nearly three times the size of the VUE, yet didn’t weigh much more. I believe Suburbans of the same era didn’t really weigh much more than 4,000 lbs. If you want to compare SUV’s.
The auto industry in general has suffered from “weight creep” in the past 20 years. A vehicle such as the VUE really should not weigh two tons. In an era where fuel prices are slowly rising into prohibitive levels, GM should take the lead in not only making more efficient powertrains, but also completing the deal by doing everything possible to reduce vehicle weight while still preserving the safety aspects. A lighter vehicle will use less fuel. It will also have the side effect of better handling for passenger cars. Not bad as side effects go.
How about bringing the Diesel option? I love the Astra, but I’m not buying it with that anemic ecotec motor. Give us diesel power and we will come. More HP and more MPG…where’s the downside?
Diesel makes sense now more than ever.
A: Coupe version of what, Vue or Flextreme (or other)?
I didn’t ask the question, but I’ll comment that the CTS coupe is the most stunning car I’ve seen in my lifetime. If you don’t build the CTS coupe, you’re (corporately) crazy.
Chris R, 2/26, 11:53 AM:
Amen! Preach on brother.
I have to agree that the answer on the weight issue wasn’t a great answer. The Vue is simply heavier than most other current competitors in its class. GM is held to the same safety standards as everyone else, so the weight can come down. I think that is GM’s next hurdle to tackle.
As far as the suggestion that Pontiac compete with Toyota, I really don’t see the reasoning there. Toyota does not have one vehicle with an ounce of excitement in it. Pontiac is GM’s excitement division (or at least it is supposed to be). It needs to compete against the affordable performance cars with a mix of mostly RWD and some FWD/AWD on the low end.
Yes, cars weigh more because they have more equipment today, but an easy way to save weight is to simply make the car smaller and built with weight savings in mind. Mazda did it with the new Mazda 2. They shaved 200 pounds from the previous Mazda 2. Come on GM you can do it too!
I am really interested in buying a Saturn Astra, however its anemic 138 HP, and 8.6 second 0-60 isn’t going to cut it. Is GM going to put the 173 HP Cobalt motor, in the Astra?
My question for GM and Saturn is why I can’t use my GM car credits on one ! What the heck’s with that ?
Cam-
Currently, there is not a Red Line version of the Aura planned.However, we do offer a 3.6-liter DOHC, 252-hp version with a 6-speed auto transmission. We also offer a new, limited-edition paint called Carbon Flash and some great accessories like 18-inch chrome wheels and a rear spoiler. http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/aura/accessories.jsp
The weight is from shallow draw stampings of thicker guage material to save cost (Tooling, Annealing), Spend the money,Cut the Guage, Cut the Weight,Increse fuel ecomomy, improve sales, improve earnings, improve stock price; case closed.
I’ve worked in the sheet steel fabrication buisness for 20 years, Own a Saturn S and a GMC Canyon, and have done collision repairs on Imports and Fords as well as GM product, I know from whence I speak.
Coupe verson of Sky Solcetice Opel GT, Dawoo Whateveryoucallit, Build a small fun to drive rear wheel driven car, Corner the Youth enthusiast (Formula Drift) market, Build consumer base for the future, Must be safe to park in cities (Have hard Roof), must be practical for only car (seating for at least 3 and bagage.
Jason
I think they know to cut weight, but don’t take the time to consider it. I mean look at the Tahoe hybrid, they even use lightweight wheels. The current weight is a little well..dumb. As a good friend of mine pointed out, if safety was the main concern, every car would have a roll cage, 5 point harness and everyone would be required to wear a helment and a neckbrace. Come on GM, cut the stinking weight already.
Learned to drive with a GM/Opel in 72. So glad to see GM finally getting less Midwest. Test drove all the small suv’s and the Vue was the best by far. Great looking and the single mode’s city mileage was everyone else’s highway with the same size 2.4 motor. Alot of value for the money. We will buy a Honda Element tomorrow however.The Honda did feel more nimble and had better utility for us.As a construction/artist/surfers couple we are not normal in our need for utility and you beat the CRV easily. Good job and your only hybrid/great design almost won the day.
It may have been asked already, but I want to know if there will be an Astra Red Line. The Astra, especially the three-door, is the prettiest hatch on the market. The car puts me in a bind: it tops my list in price (ahead of the Mitsu Lancer GTS), but I want a more powerful engine. The present inline-four is appropriate for buyers seeking economy, even though the 4 spd. auto tranny is sluggish. I’d like at least see a solid 2.4 L engine installed for better power in the XR.
I second the AURA call. A souped-up Red Line for that would be grand.
I reject the advertising campaigns that GM uses to build brand identity. Frankly, they do a good job to build recognizability. However, like Barak and Hilary.. you have to know how hard and quick to poke the competition. If I were GM.. I would take the last three years of Toyota, Honda and Nissan.. the top 2 sellers ads and I would clone them into my own mix with a much better production, graphics and voiceover. This is clearly stronger than Saturn’s Rethink. Clearly stronger than Pontiac Action. And clearly stronger than Buicks “drive beautiful”. People today want to drive BETTER THAN another 30K choice. I would advertise in all the ways I am better. Frankly, GPS with Real Time Traffic, Blue Tooth and A power driver seat/passenger seat with dual climate is the packaging GM is missing. I would do a whole division this way and advertise you get more with GM. I would do my warranty 5K better than Hyundai’s to say I have the longest. Perhaps match the unlimited warranty from Chrysler. Advertising in this non agressive manner is not smart! Cadillac is the biggest, boldest ad campaign from GM and it’s Working! There are other ways to be bold! Giving away cars is fine, but putting them in TV shows is better and longer lasting. Giving away cars is great.. but, as Pontiac learned with the solstice on the Apprentice.. You need prolonged exposure. I would also not do this “early blitzing” of the Camaro via transformers. Instead: Do a mighty yell, like the New Malibu has been. That is closer to correct. Gm still has an advertising issue.