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-6 speed auto and 3.6 DOHC engine
-2.4L Hybrid - cool!
-ABS, TC, SABs and CABs standard
-Great interior
-Great exterior
-Good Year tires on a Saturn, whoo hoo!
Negatives
-4-speed auto on base 3.5L version
-Rims only look ok, hopefully more choices
-Mileage #s on 3.6L should be better (especially with 6 speed)
Over all it looks to be an A effort, GM stayed pretty true to the concept. I would like to know the dimensions of the trunk and interior, so far I can't find that data. It's on my shopping list to replace my Intrigue in a couple of years for sure though.
Other than that, the car still looks nice, and I love the two-tone interior.
Either way, it looked absolutley stunning. Resembled the Nissan Murano/Infiniti FX but looked much sexier.
If this is the direction GM is heading in............I say full speed ahead. Nice to see GM's design dept. finally waking from their slumber.
I am not surprised by the 4 speed with the base engine. I dont think most people buying the base engine will even care. My only problems with the car are the lack of nav, the 18" wheel design and the mileage on the 3.6 model. Overall I would give GM a B+ on this car. It looks good inside and out. I just hope more than one 18" wheel design is availble. The 18" wheels on the G6 are far better than what is being shown for the Aura.
The interior looks good and is very true to the concept car.
As far as engines are concerned, Aura should ditch, the base V6 engine option, low tech with the 4 speed tranny, and offer the ecotech turbo 4 with the 6 speed tranny, which will give better performance than the base v6, also I would ditch the 3.6 Caddy V6 and offer the other Caddy 2.8 V6 turbo with 250hp that is currently used on the Saab 9-3 (same platform as the Aura) and the Cadillas BLS sold in Europe (and not sold here). That V6 is lighter and just as fast as the 3.6, so the car will handle better too. That engine also has the 6 speed tranny, and the top end in the 9-3 is 155hp.
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): 112.3 / 2852
Overall length (in / mm): 190.0 / 4851
Overall width (in / mm): 70.3 / 1786
Overall height (in / mm): 57.6 / 1464
Track
Front (in / mm): 59.9 / 1523
Rear (in / mm): 60.3 / 1533
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3528.5 / 1600.5 (XE)
3647.1 / 1654.3 (XR)
Interior
Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 3
Headroom
Front (in /mm): 39.4 / 1000
Rear (in / mm): 37.4 / 950
Legroom
Front (in / mm): 42.2 / 1073
Rear (in / mm): 37.6 / 953
Shoulder room
Front (in / mm): 55.9 / 1420
Rear (in / mm): 54.0 / 1371
Hip room
Front (in / mm): 53.0 / 1345
Rear (in / mm): 52.2 / 1328
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): 15.7 / 444.6
That all said, I'd be ok with the 3.5L Aura so long as it's refined and handles well. Given my G6 test drive, I would imagine Aura will be very good and probably a step up from the G6.
Anyone know if the new GM 6-speeds can be coupled with 4 cyl engines?
Thanks...
The Sound system they are going to offer is cool, with the headphones in the back seat, but I do not undrstand why there is no nav system Holy Crap, while Nissan and Toyota are in there second and third Generations, GM is having trouble fitting it in!
The Saturn has moved upmarket, yes. The cars look good, yes. The development will be cheap (collaboration w/Opel) thats excellent. The only issue is... WHY CAN'T THEY SEAL THE DEAL!
The car was obviously designed to have at least HIDS. This car needs HIDs and Nav. I like many of the features, and power. But market acceptance will mean technological leadership. GM is getting closer, I admit. The rear seat audio is cool. I hope they improved on the panoramic roof.
I have never really been so exited about Saturns before. I hope GM finds a way to put a Nav system in this car. Meybe even a shift mounted manumatic?
That may be true, but only to a degree. For those of us that want these types of features, it means we'll get them from another manufacturer!
I wish the Aura had navigation, but honestly it's not going to cost Saturn many sales. We all know that few Accords or Camrys have navigation. It's nice to offer it, but most midsize buyers arent going to pony up $2k for the option. Perhaps 5% of potential Aura buyers will look elsewhere to get navigation.
Those who were expecting HIDs shouldnt be suprised they werent offered. GM doesnt even offer HIDs on Buicks.
I dont believe GM has a 6 speed manual on any of its 4 cylinder cars. They all have five speeds. Only V8 powered RWD cars, the G6 and the CTS have 6M transmissions. Manuals are a nice option, but how many Accords, Camrys and Altimas are sold with manuals? The real reason they offer them is so they can advertise base prices under $18k even though cars on the lot will be equipped with $1000 automatics. I dont think you will find many manual Camrys at your local Toyota dealer.
The "crap" Vue is actually Saturns biggest success and has kept the brand afloat for the last five years or so. The '06 model with the new interior isnt all that bad.
Also, slight correction.. I'm almost 100% positive the redline on the 3.9L is 6200 RPM.
~alpha
~alpha
Anyway, I sat in the car today at the NY auto show. I was very surprised that they had a model on the floor. They had an XE model with cloth seating on the floor. I can say that the car looks better in person then in the pictures. I really didn't find any major faults with the interior. The backseat is roomy and there is more headroom than the G6 sedan. The materials in the front seemed to be quality but the woodtrim on the doors and dash didnt line up properly. Hopefully this is not going to be a problem with the production cars. The trunk is well finished and has struts instead of hinges. The center storage bin has two levels and operates just like the bin in Honda products. I am not crazy about the 17" alloys on the base model, but aside from that and the lack of a rear center armrest the car looked good. Naturally the XR model on the turntable looked even better. The Outlook was also very nice looking and it was garnering lots of attention.
I saw the new Altima in the flesh and I wasnt impressed. It looks like the Maxima and the interior did not seem high quality to me. Perhaps a lighter interior color would've helped, but the all black one in the display model looked dark and plasticky.
Are they serious? Is it that expensive to put in a center armrest? On a G6 Coupe i guess its forgivable, bit on a family/exciting sedan like this?!
THIS IS INSANE! Its these little things that seem so strange when in other areas GM has advanced so much...
Like others have said it's not all that important, but when you sit a domestic against an import and literally check off their features you sometimes come up short on the little things that consumers now assume will be standard.
What it all boils down to (sometimes) is attendtion to detail.
When i saw no armrest on the G6 coupe i thought, fine, well its a coup and they put cupholders back there anywhay, fine. Plus, its probably a bit narrow so i can see wehy they would remove it...
but on a Sedan, the arura will probably come close to or top 30K fully loaded. This does NOT INCLUDE, a nav system (available on a 20K civic), HID headlamps (25K Altima) or center ARMREST (ANY CAR EXCEPT SOME GM's)!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT!
You know, when your riding in a car, your firends ride in back and beside you, and when they see things like this missing, they may be turned off by it. This is especially true for long trips. How can you exclude it.
You know, you can get a DUAL front armrest on a Mercury Grand Maquis. This is very comfortable as the driver and front passenger each can decide hot they best want to sit.
Also, you can get a dual Armrest on an Infiniti M35/45 I believe. That's why it really dissapointed me when the Cadillac STS has one fat center armrest. Even the Escallade has 1 fat center armrest. BUT AT LEAST THEY HAVE ARMRESTS!
The rear armrest is just about inexcusable in a "Family" sedan, were a "family" would also sit in the back seat. If GM really doesn't have the 20 bucks it would take to install a center armrest (30 with leather TOPS), then I will gladly give it to them as extra if i were shopping. This is just wrong.
In an Age where the Toyota Avalon has "RECLINING" rear seats GM has seriously missed the boat with this.
I know the Aura has other things going for it, but seriously man, this sucks.
I mean just imagine you just bought a 34k S40 and a month later you discover it doesn't have an interior trunk release.......well I wouldn't return the car for that minor omittance but I would be very displeased about it.
I mean just imagine you just bought a 34k S40 and a month later you discover it doesn't have an interior trunk release.......well I wouldn't return the car for that minor omittance but I would be very displeased about it.
Thats would be Mazda's blunder, although it is a really small car. If the cobalt sedan has a center armrest then all of a sudden... ITS A SELLING POINT! Holy Crap, now Armrests are a selling point? Meybe John Travolta will marry Kid Rock and spread Scientology throughout the world.
Either way, on a car this size it should have a center armrest. A typical (read does not know much about cars) buyer could look at this and go "They leave out the little things, like meybe some extra engine protector or something."
GM, put that in!
What are you talking about? First, I agree most people in the US prefer autos in their sedans. But I prefer manuals and I'm certainly not alone. I don't have to go to Europe or by a BMW to get one. Last I checked I can get a 6 cylinder with a manual trans at the following local dealers. Nissan, Honda, Acura, Infinity, Mazda, BMW, & I'm sure I may have left some out, but you get the point.
I really like the looks and stats of the Aura, but my wife and I do prefer a manual transmission in a sporting type of car. It certainly won't doom the Aura for this omission, but It could cost a sale or two from someone like me.
I think this car will be be very reliable out of the gate though as this car is based on very proven technology.
I don't understand, GM had the opportunity to lead the market in HP, wince they have 270hp versions of this engine in toher cars. Why didn't they at least put in a 265 hp unit, since the Altima is now 263...
It is still very good news on the HP front. 252 is competetive, just wondering if it really costs alot to give those extra few horses.
Not complaning, though.