The real Saturn Astra is here

[Sage]

Autoblog.com/…/chicago-preview-2008-saturn-astra/

No sedan. At all. Just two flat-out gorgeous hatchbacks. I’m about to wet myself.

 

[Omnis]

Wow. Way to go, Saturn. I do think the coupe would've looked better with rear side windows that followed the roofline, but the two cars still look great.

 

[ND4SPD]

Wow, thats kickass. I definately hope they also bring the Astra VXR and badge it as a Redline model!

 

[V1P3R]

Wow, GM decided not to shoot itself in the foot for once and bring a Euro car here? No wonder the weather has been all wacked out...

 

[F1GTR]

Hope you guys get the VXR version.

 

[Dave A]

Autoblog.com/…/chicago-preview-2008-saturn-astra/

No sedan. At all. Just two flat-out gorgeous hatchbacks. I’m about to wet myself.

We've had thoes for a few years now, they arn't the best in their class, but they are far from bad cars.

 

[Pebb]

Hope you guys get the VXR version.

I don't think they need it at all, because it has too much torque steer.

 

[Danny]

I don't think they need it at all, because it has too much torque steer.

That's okay because America has no corners.

 

[Leonidae]

That's okay because America has no corners.

OWNED!

 

[Keef]

Sage, I did wet my pants. I'm up for supporting GM more than I have recently, because they're finally getting the picture. I think Saturn is my new up-and-coming favorite company within GM, too.

So now we're getting a little European flair, which is spectacular. I can't wait until Ford decides to do the same. I am sort of worried about the inevitable performance versions of the Astra, though. Top Gear has shown the spectacular handling characteristics of the VXR/OPC versions, and, well, I'd rather be driving a snow plow. The Ion Red Line we have now actually handles pretty well, and I'm afraid that if GM just transplants the VXR hardware into our Astra, the car's handling will go to pot. I don't want that to happen.

 

[Dave A]

The handling only goes to pot in the Astra VXR is you give it a lot of power in a corner, or if you floor it off the line without touching the steering wheel. They arn't bad handling cars, the power just kicks for a fwd cars. You can drive an Astra VXR very fast if you moderate the throttle around corners properly. The Astra VXR is a faster track car than the last Honda Civic Type-R.

 

[daan]

The Astra VXR is a faster track car than the last Honda Civic Type-R.

No its not.

1:32.2 – Ford Focus RS
1:32.2 – Mazda6 MPS
1:32.5 – Renaultsport Mégane 225 Cup
1:32.8 – Honda Civic Type-R
1:32.9 – SEAT León Cupra R
1:33.0 – Vauxhall Astra VXR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Laps_(Top_Gear)

 

[Dave A]

I was looking at the wrong Civic Type-R

1:36.5 – Honda Civic Type-R

I didn't notice there was two different ones listed. Oh well, my point still stands, it's a capable track car if you drive it right.

 

[YSSMAN]

I have to say that I'm very happy with the introuction of the Astra. Its looks as though GM has gone without cutting any major corners, and is offering more than enough car at a pretty reasonable price. A big thumbs-up goes for the 140 BHP 1.8L engine, skipping over the "standard" 144 BHP 2.2L engine in America. Beyond that, it would appear that the German-market looks have gone untouched, and that is a good thing.

...I think the only thing that confuses me is the lack of the American-styled interior, as I'm not a huge fan of the look of all the Opel/Vauxhall interiors. I'll hold judgement until I see it next weekend at the Chicago Auto Show, but things are certainly looking up for GM at that show...

---

On the subject of the VXR/OPC-turned Red-Line model, I can't be certain that it would happen right away. Given that the Astra will replace the Ion, there is obviously a need for a performance version, however it is unknown how GM will do it. Chances are that the LSJ Supercharged 2.0L I4 (205 BHP) will find its way into the Red-Line version, given the success of the powerplant in the current Ion Red-Line and Cobalt SS. That said, test mules of the "HHR SS" have been spotted with the 2.0L direct-injection turbocharged I4 from the Solstice GXP/Sky Red-Line/Opel GT. That unit is good for 260 BHP, and chances are that GM would do their best to end the torque-steer issue, maybe using their special "tire trick" from the big V8-powered W-Body models.

 

[niky]

Hmmm... three 260+ hp front wheelers on the market? Man, let me get my goggles... this'll be fun to watch.

You know, this might help the US rallying scene, too... more competitors for the SRT4 in the unlimited FWD class.

 

[a6m5]

Wow. Way to go, Saturn. I do think the coupe would've looked better with rear side windows that followed the roofline, but the two cars still look great.

I also don't care for that part, but that look is increasingly becoming popular.

 

[MustangSVT]

Don't want to crap the party, but I think this car sucks quite a lot. Me and my family rented the 4 door hatchback one while we were in europe in 2005 and travelled quite a lot with it, through germany, switzerland, austria, hungary and romania. The ride is very very uncomfortable in this car. My back would hurt me after about 2 hours. And when I say hurt, I mean it. Hell, my dad got a huge back problem that lasted him 2 weeks because of how bad this car is. I advise other people to stay away from the Astra, it's a piece of crap.

And it's not "just me". My dad and my mom agreed it was very unconfortable and we have had long trips before through the summer. In 2004 we went all the way to Vancouver (a 1000km trip) in my dad's Ford Escape and I've also done long trips in my '98 Jetta, and the Astra was definetely very very bad.

 

[TheCracker]

I can't believe people are getting so excited about an Astra - the mind boggles!

 

[daan]

I can't believe people are getting so excited about an Astra - the mind boggles!

Just shows you how bad American cars are....




Runs away and hides...

 

[Omnis]

Just shows you how bad American cars are....




Runs away and hides...

No shame in that truth.

 

[Sting]

Just shows you how bad American cars are....




Runs away and hides...

lol love it.

Looks better with the V grille though, and regardless of any handling issues the VXR model has, it's still a great hot hatch, i reckon Americans would like it. (But I dont see Saturn as a hot hatch brand, so I dunno if they'll get it.)

 

[Pebb]

OWNED!

I know about the US not having any corners, still the VXR version should never be allowed in the US, because some cars deserve to be exclusive to some brands.

 

[Jay]

I know about the US not having any corners, still the VXR version should never be allowed in the US, because some cars deserve to be exclusive to some brands.

So Aussies can have it but the US can't?

 

[Dave A]

I know about the US not having any corners, still the VXR version should never be allowed in the US, because some cars deserve to be exclusive to some brands.

If they did a Saturn version it wouldn't be the Saturn Astra VXR, it'd mor likely be the Saturn Astra Red Line or something else.

 

[Jim Prower]

I think I'm gonna cry. That car is a thing of beauty.

 

[Kent]

Yeah, let's bash American cars and highways! So easy and yet so fun... Almost makes me feel like it's not some kind of ethnocentrism or ethnic prejudice.

In any case, atleast us Americans are finally going to get a car that's built by Germans.
Ah, German engineering, it saves us everytime.


No really, on the subject at hand...
I'm definately interested to see what this car is all about. Despite the negative comments I'm going to check this car out for myself (sorry but bad comments about a car from a member named after a Mustang are taken with a grain of salt).

Love the appearance and the alleged standard equipment.
Just a matter of time before I get to find out if this car is really worth a darn or not.

Btw, if you think the US doesn't have corners, you're as clueless as Americans who don't know about the Nurburgring (just take the time to look up what they do out in the west called "canyon runs").

 

[Dave A]

I have to say regarding the cars comfort, it may be a trim thing, the base trim might not be comfey or another trim ect, I wouldn't know all the trim levels. But I do know the one my work collegue has is a decent car. Like I said earlier, it's not the best thing out there but it's far from the worst either. He's never had any problems with the car not being comfey or it causing back ache.

 

[Poverty]

back pain can be from the seats themselves and not the ride. It could also be that the car was abused and the suspension was done with. Then theres the roads, as some of those european countries he drove through arent exactly too sophistacated.

 

[MustangSVT]

back pain can be from the seats themselves and not the ride. It could also be that the car was abused and the suspension was done with. Then theres the roads, as some of those european countries he drove through arent exactly too sophistacated.

For your information, my dad got the huge back pain after we drove through Germany and Switzerland for must've been 3 or 4 days. You're telling me germany and switzerland have bad roads? I don't think so.

I just thought I would share my thoughts. I would stay away from it because I (and my family) thought the car was a piece of crap. Even my ****ty '98 Jetta has a more comfortable ride.

 

[Poverty]

For your information, my dad got the huge back pain after we drove through Germany and Switzerland for must've been 3 or 4 days. You're telling me germany and switzerland have bad roads? I don't think so.

I just thought I would share my thoughts. I would stay away from it because I (and my family) thought the car was a piece of crap. Even my ****ty '98 Jetta has a more comfortable ride.

Continual driving day after day will do that to a person. Theres a reason why so many truckers have bad backs

Astras arent very good, but they arent that bad, from my own experiences.