Topic: Preview: 2009 Opel Vectra (aka Saturn Aura)

[Diesel Advocate]

"Powering the new car will be a range of four-cylinder and V6 engines including both petrol and turbodiesel units. The US-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.

Europe should see the new Vectra debut early in 2009 but Saturn fans won’t get to see the car until 2011 at the earliest. The US models will also likely get some minor styling revisions to suit North American tastes."
"While the cars will share sub-systems, suspensions and powertrains, the Aura will have a completely different skin and interior."



Sounds to me as if we will get an over engined Buick clone instead of a proper crisp euro sedan.  That has happened before at GM ( Catera for instance)    I guess some of the old guard are still in there fighting.  I hope I am being too cynical.

The Catera was a Euro Sedan. The Vauxhall/Opel Omega. However the Suits at GM took out the best bits and added Chrome.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

That Insignia Wagon is extremely attractive... I'd forgive GM for not offering the G8 Wagon and would jump on it as a more efficent classy alternative.

[Cortina]

Reminds me a lot of Audi. From the rear end.

[Dante]

Another interesting read ...
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/226563/insignia_vs_passat.html

[Diesel Advocate]

I have no clue why the Big 3 tailor their products to the North American market. 

Looks like I'll just have to get a Toyota Avensis..not available here? OK the Civic Type R...also not available in NA. Fine, I have to step up to the five door 1 series...Ah, I see...rest of the world only...

I think a lot has to do with restrictions on imports. Is more likely the reason why the manufacturers are not offering all there models ranges in NA. 

This should hopefully change now that the bumper laws in Canada have been harmonized with Europe and the US. There should be no reason for GM to completely redesign anything on the new Aura but if they do have to change somthing to make Americans warm and fuzzy to the new car , then just should just change the rear turn-signal bulbs to red and leave the rest of it alone!

[tortoise]

... then they should not change the rear turn-signal bulbs to red and leave the rest of it alone!

Fixed it for ya.

Agreed, that wagon looks great.

[Dante]

All that GM should change on this car is the badge at the most.

[Schmengie]

 That's one of the classiest-looking wagons I've seen since the original A4 Avant. I'm not sure about the practicality of the 'bumperless' rear end though, since the incredibly wide and deep hatch door (judging from the cut-lines in the pic) seems to be flush with the valance and very vulnerable to damage . I want one. 

[APSCORADIALES]

"Europe should see the new Vectra debut early in 2009 but Saturn fans won’t get to see the car until 2011 at the earliest. The US models will also likely get some minor styling revisions to suit North American tastes."

Very nice! However, these two sentences spoil any hope to see a Camcord killer in N/A any time soon.

EXACTLY!
And no diesel either....pfffft!

Why is it that the Big Three always feel necessary to change Euro spec cars when they sell them here?
LEAVE THEM AS THEY ARE - YOU ONLY SPOIL THEM BY MAKING UNNECESSARY CHANGES!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Glowing Edmunds review...
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=135246?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..2.*

Hope it comes for 2011, but thinking she won't. Crossing my fingers the Allure/LaCrosse is as good and gets as much praise.

[ggweci]

Fresh out of the oven, meet the Insignia Sports Tourer.

Oh my!  please bring this here as is. 

[Wetson]

ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh   aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww..... I like!

[UmroAyyar]

This looks very nice. GM will lose some money on cars for the foreseeable future as it seems.

But cars like this will definitely help get out of the rut. Bring it on.

[Cortina]

Thats a very attractive up market looking car. So it should sell well.

[Wetson]

Thats a very attractive up market looking car. So it should sell well.

Assuming they don't butcher the design and performance it when they bring it here.

[tpl]

betcha they will.    "to suit  American tastes"

or they'll just delay it.

[Cortina]

betcha they will.    "to suit  American tastes"

or they'll just delay it.

But what does that really mean. Although I think I understand it. Lets see a Big Engine. Drinks a ton. Soft Supension. Lots of plastics that are design to look like crome and wallowy handling with a dash of play in the steering.  I don't think thats really true tho...ummmmm.....I don't think even Americans really want that do they. 

[tpl]

For sure a somewhat bigger engine to make the car appear to work better ( quieter anyway) with an automatic transmission and do 0-60 faster at the expense of 45-70.  EU drivers can buy diesels with lots of low down torque to drive a slushbox, we will not be given that option, we'll just get the biggest engine that fits... and then people will complain that it is underpowered ( like the Saturn Astra).
Brakes with better low speed "bite" that will fade if used too hard at higher speeds.
 Cup holders.   Softer and flatter seats. (North) Americans are bigger than Europeans and they can't make a wider body without making it a different car altogether so the seats have to be made wider.

I'd bet that a well optioned  Vectra straight off the German dealer's lot with just the emissions changed for here would be a pretty nice car but might end up being in the wrong price bracket here.  I am sure the NA one will be decontented in various ways. No HIDs will mean no headlight washers and no self leveling. Red rear indicators and no rear fog light mean less wiring in the car and so on

[Dante]

I like Insignia overall, but I wonder if it will ever make it here at all, never mind in an acceptable format. Pitty!