GM has been busy ridding itself of what many call the “Bad GM”-namely, Pontiac, Hummer, Saturn, and Saab, brands that won’t be a part of the “new” GM. Pontiac is being phased out, earlier this week Tengzhong announced plans to purchase Hummer, and today, Penske Auto Group announced that it will buy the Saturn brand and its dealer network from GM. Price was not disclosed, but the deal is expected to close in the third quarter.

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It's finally been announced what I have been speculating for quite some time. There will be no 2009 Saturn Astra for sale because of the large amount of 2008 Astra's still on dealer lots.

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Exotic cars are impressive, but they tend to be bound by reality and practicality… If you’re going to buy one, you expect certain things. Things like the ability to drive it somewhere. On a road. Legally.

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The Saturn Sky Red Line benefits from a 260-horsepower turbocharged engine, but we wish that the base Sky could enjoy that powerplant, too. We all agree that the Sky is a handsome little roadster, but we wish that the cabin was a bit more livable.

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The Opel Meriva concept's high belt-line and hatchback shape looks like it could double as a Pontiac Vibe of the future, but recent history tells us it could one day find its way into a Saturn dealership. Automotive News quotes unnamed GM execs saying that the next generation Meriva is "being considered" for the U.S. market. The dreaded "business case" has to be made in order for the little MPV to land stateside, but the Meriva, already successful in Europe, has plenty going for it. The concept that previews the next production model was built with parts from two of GM's small car architectures that will be shared with other vehicles, and the Meriva's turbocharged 1.4L engine also rested under the hood of the Saab 9-X concept. The Meriva would also supply Saturn with a fuel-efficient family hauler, at least more efficient than the VUE CUV, another European import from Opel. Heck, it's not our money, we say build it, slap on a Saturn badge and call it a day.

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Back in September 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, General Motors main European brand Opel unveiled the second body style and third power-train variant of their E-Flex architecture. Since the product lines of Opel and Saturn have been converging over the past few years it makes sense to display the Flextreme at U.S. auto shows with Saturn badging...

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GM expects to offer a plug-in variant of the Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode, complete with lithium-ion batteries, as early as 2010. That's the latest word coming out of the Renaissance Center, which is become embroiled in an increasingly escalating "green war" with Toyota...

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Can't wait to become part of The Green Revolution? You're in luck, Al and Kermit, because 2008 should be your year. High-mileage hybrids are blooming like lily pads in a pond fertilized by too much farm runoff. Case in point, by the end of this year you'll be able to hop on over to your local Saturn retailer and have your pick of three politically correct models...

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In 2006, the Saturn Vue Green Line became General Motors' first production hybrid vehicle when it debuted with the company's mild hybrid system. In fall 2007, a updated BAS-equipped Green Line version based on the second-generation Vue went into production...

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The Saturn Astra represents a quantum leap forward for GM in the small car market. For a mere $100 million, which is chicken feed for a new product, the General traded in the uninspiring Ion for the European juggernaut Opel Astra...

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Some new car models have more riding on them than others. Such is the case with the redone sixth-generation Toyota Camry and the new Saturn Aura. Expectations for these vehicles couldn’t be higher, since both figure heavily into each company’s plans...

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Saturn has revealed the price of its upcoming Astra hatchback, due to go on sale in the fall starting at $15,995 for a slightly stripped-down five-door XE model with a five-speed manual transmission, with four-speed automatic-equipped models starting at $17,320. The bargain-priced XE omits air-conditioning and alloy wheels and isn't available with any packages. XR models start at $17,545 for the five-door and $18,495 for the three-door. Powering all Astras is a 140-horse, 1.8-liter four.

Although three-door variants generally are cheaper than their five-door brethren, the three-door Astra XR comes standard with 17-inch wheels, StabiliTrak, and a sport-tuned suspension that lowers the car by 0.6 inch. It also can be had with 18-inch wheels wearing summer performance tires, though not with the dual-panel sunroof that's available on both five-door models.

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At $22,695, the Aura Green Line as the cheapest hybrid on the market, at least until the stripped-down 2008 Prius arrives later this month. However, to get to that price, GM cut some corners. Not enough to turn Picasso into Cezanne as in years past, but still enough to make you scratch your head.

The 164-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-banger is just enough to move the car at a decent clip at reasonable conditions -- say about 70 degrees with the A/C off. Once the mercury breaks the 90 mark and the A/C gets cranked up, however, the car feels woefully underpowered. The aging four-speed automatic is reluctant to downshift and provide anything resembling brisk acceleration. In fact, under those conditions, acceleration is bordering on dangerously slow for making in-traffic maneuvers. Read the rest of this entry »

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Click on the image above to download Saturn Vue Green wallpaper...

A new, more affordable hybrid system is featured in the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid. Based on the popular Vue SUV, which was restyled for 2006, the Green Line has distinctive exterior appointments and a refined interior. This is the first GM vehicle powered by a sophisticated electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4-liter VVT 4-cylinder engine and 4T45-E 4-speed transmission. It delivers an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and the best highway mileage of any SUV at 32 mpg. Saturn dealerships will start selling the Vue Green Line in the 2nd quarter of '07.

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Saturn stunned the world with the release of the sensational 2008 Sky roadster for driving enthusiasts. Built on GM’s new global rear-wheel drive compact performance platform, the Sky rolls on 18-inch wheels and high-performance all-season tires. The exterior combines taut, sharp lines, fluid surfaces and a pronounced fender peak. Several of the vehicle’s key body panels are produced using sheetmetal hydroforming, such as the sharply creased clamshell hood. In the engine bay is 177 horsepower, 2.4-liter, Ecotec engine with variable valve timing. The Red Line performance variant gets a power boost from a turbocharged 2.0-liter that pumps-out 260 horses, and is GM’s first direct injection offering in North America. Both 4-cylinder engines come standard with a 5-speed Aisin manual with short-throw shifter, or optional 5-speed automatic. The 2-seat cockpit features a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, metallic sill plates, stainless steel pedal covers, Red Line-specific gauges and a digital boost gauge included in the Driver Information Center.

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