Motor Trend reports, “The Saturn Aura is about to become obsolete.” The aura is a re-badged version of the Opel Vectra a successful midsize sedan built by GM’s European unit. Opel is preparing to replace the Vectra with a new midsize, the Opel Insignia, which will debut at the London Auto Show on July 22. MT offers spy shots of the next Aura/Insignia sedan. The car may provide a clue to the future of GM design. It is “the first car on GM's new global Epsilon platform,” which will eventually provide “replacements for the Chevy Malibu and Pontiac G6, Saab's 9-3 and 9-5…and the next-generation Buick LaCrosse.” The Insignia/Aura “is characterized by a sloping, almost coupe-like roofline.”
GM is increasingly using its foreign units to build new models for the U.S. market. In addition to the Vectra/Aura, Saturn’s new Astra economy car is a re-badged Opel Astra. Pontiac’s G8 is a renamed Holden Commodore (from GM’s Australian partner), and the upcoming Pontiac Sport Truck is a Holden Ute.
Edmunds Inside Line has reported, “In Europe, the Insignia will be marketed as a sedan, a hatchback and a wagon, but only an Aura sedan is likely to be produced in the States. The 2010 Aura also is expected to use GM's next-generation hybrid system, announced earlier this month at the Geneva show.”
Motor Authority added, “The latest version will have a much more premium feel than previous generations and has grown significantly in size compared with its predecessor.” The car may be offered with “a range of four-cylinder and V6 engines including both petrol and turbodiesel units. The U.S.-spec Aura may also be available with a new V8 engine as well as a new hybrid option similar to that used in the new Chevrolet Malibu.”
Research the current Aura, and its competition, with U.S. News’ rankings and reviews of affordable midsize cars.
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