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All I have read about the Aura though has been good. Nissan has quite a challenger. We will see what the comparison testers say!
Anyone who find that the media is more open minded when reviewing domestic vehicles isnt being realistic. Even though the Aura is getting some positive press its still framed as "It's hard to believe Saturn has finally come up with a competent, attractive car after so many years of being mismanaged by GM. It's about time they actually made something that can sell on merits rather than dealership service". It's called damning with faint praise, you will find that in most reviews of GM products.
It is interesting to note though that with 112 inch wheelbase Aura is still a narrow car compared to Camry/Accord/Milan. But sitting inside it does not fill cramped at all. But I still like more athletic exterior of Milan. If they only make more comfortable interior and better sound system.
BTW did anyone check Aura's premium (if there is one) sound system?
Now with the W cars going away (by 2009) the new Epsilon 2 architecture will be larger and be about the same size as the Accord/Camry. Malibu will be out soon and it is a winner!
The Aura is apparently based on the Malibu Maxx/Pontiac G6/Sabb Sport Combi/Opel Equivalent (???), with a longer wheelbase than the usual Epsilon body. Plus is more interior room. Minus is a big turning circle for the size of the car (41' plus).
What I don't know is if the Aura is using the same suspension components the Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saab are using. The electric steering version of those has been prone to rattles, clunks and other problems. Perhaps the hydraulic version will be less prone to these problems?
All Eps 1 have same suspension components (but with different tuning) but there is some mix of electric vs. hydraulic steering. Aura though has hydraulic steering. G6 only has electric on the base sedan.
New Mondeo based on stretched new Focus platform (similar to Passat being based on Golf platform). Is new eplsilon stretched Astra platform?
Not sure but here is a link that shows something. But it is incorrect. Malibu will be out by 2008 and I am pretty sure it is on the Eps 2 platform.
http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=55743
How this will affect the Aura, I don't know, as it would be unusual for Saturn to adopt a completely new unibody for the Aura a year into its production.
Wrt suspension components, will have to wait and see if GM's finally fixed the rattle issues plaguing all their other EP1 cars (save, possibly, those with hydraulic steering).
Very good point. Since the Aura was just a minor revision to the European version and 2008 is the first usage of the eps 2 we will see a mixture of eps 1 and eps 2 vehicles being built at the same time. Most likely the same plants could build both platforms. Currently the Aura and Malibu are built in Kansas City and the G6 at Orion.
Most likely one plant will be picked (or a new plant!) to start up the Malibu/Eps 2. The Malibu volume should fill most of one plant. Then the lower volume Saabs will be brought into the same plant 6 months or so later. A year later the LaCrosse will start to be built somewhere else (Lake Orion?) and then some time after that a revised G6 and then a new revised Aura.
So possible plant splits here in the US.
2008 kansas City? Malibu/Saabs
2009/2010 Orion? LaCrosse/G6/Aura
Of course one model could be built in both plants to give some volume flexibility. Probably the LaCrosse.
Reason why above could be wrong is that they introduced Aura in Kansas. Would have made more sense to start it in Orion. Then again the plants are flexible enough that moving a car to a different plant is not as crazy as it used to be and Kansas City needed some volume untill the new Malibu came out. G6 is outselling the old Malibu.
So perhaps the LaCrosse will be built with the Malibu?
Pontiacs largest car will just be slightly larger.
Not sure that Buick could survive just on large cars. Not much market. They need to be a premium marque, not just a large car marque.
LaCrosse-midsize FWD, soon to be Eps 2
Lucerne-large FWD, perhaps a RWD 2010
Enclave-large CUV
And a couple Supers that I think will be at SEMA.
Issue with Enclave is that GMC will also have a CUV in the dealership. I forsee the Enclave going away some day and hopefully replaced with an upscale 2 or 4 seater roadster($35K).
The Altima does indeed look almost unchanged and I wouldn't be surprised if it goes unoticed by many buyers. This is the same problem Ford had (in addition to gas prices) with the 2006 Explorer. To me the Altima and Maxima are so similar that I have to wonder why anyone would pay for the Maxima. The 2007 Altima isnt a bad looking car, but it's not a new look like the Aura.
Consider here and here and here and here, just to name a few. Are they all on the GM payroll?
Hmmm. Maybe Saturn has done something right.
is was rated at 20/29 with the 224hp v6 i think.
The only change would be the transmission change. Hey, it may even increase city mpg too. It would also give GM a boost in there ads, they can say they have even more cars that get 30mpg or better.
It would be good news for the buyer, too.
The Altima V6 as 270hp according to the review in this month's Automobile magazine. They didnt seem blown away by the car at all. They said the interior was much better, but it was best if you didnt look too closely or you might find out the quality isnt all that. The CVT didnt seem to be considered a plus or a detriment to the car at all. I will say that the car looks too much like the Maxima and I think that is a mistake. Nothing in the review suggested the Altima will leave the Aura in the dust as some have suggested.
Also, why are mostpeoplethinking that Saturn is the direct challenger to Nissan? I think the Aurais more the size of the Maxima anywhay, but...
The funny thing is, that Pontiac seems to be more in line with fighting nissan. The G6 also has the 252hp DOHC, and more closely resembles the altima in size.
I do like the fact you can get a manual trans. with a v6 in the Altima. As for the exterior/interior looks, thats subjective.
I have been seeing more and more Auras on the road.
Aura evidently narrower car than Altima, Fusion or Camry. I agree most people would not notice it sitting in the car. It looks like more upscale than Altima though. I would compare it to upper trims of Milan, Camry and Accord.
I do not think Maxima is that big. Also Maxima is more of a performance sedan while Avalon is more of a family sedan as I feel the Camry is also. Of course I would say the Altima is more of a performance sedan (youth oriented) than the Camry.
i recently read in a car magazine that the Aura is based on the Epsilon 2 Platform and not the E1 that all other GM's are. If that is actually true, the Aura is the first GM on E2 in the US.
I think now that the Malibu is on the Epsilon 1. I think they stretched it as big as they could to get it up to Camry/Accord size.
First Eps 2 should be around in spring '09
No Epsilon 2 cars have been sold yet. The Opel Vectra and 9-3 will get the platform first. Expect a new Aura/G6 on that platform in 2010.
I think Edmunds is going to give the Saturn a good review. I guess they're not going to be amateurish and bias in this instance. But wait, you can throw those charges at them if they don't have the Aura near the top in the next mid-size sedan comparison test.
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