My/Your Ideal Saturn Lineup

[gmhashope]

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

An addition to my ever-growing and continually changing "My Ideal Lineup" threads, here is my ideal Saturn lineup.

Ion
Saturn's Astra that is classier and more luxury-oriented interior, a quieter and smoother ride, and a softer suspension. Redline version should offer 275/300-hp turbo-changed I5 engine and a taunter and lower riding suspension. Luxury version (any ideas for names?) should offer a 250/275-hp I5 engine that is smoother, a cabin that is more refined and classy, quiety and silkier, and a suspension that rides softer. Also, more standard equipement. An RSX-type competitor.

Vue
Heavily modified Theta platform with completely redesigned interior and exterior, riding softer, far classier, smoother engine, quiety and silkier cabin that says luxury. V6 and V8 options. Luxury version (any ideas for names?) should offer a 350/375-hp V8 engine. Also, more standard equipement. Should target VW's Touareg.

The 2007 ION will basically be an Opel Astra.

Keep the VUE on Theta, just put it on the extended Theta (Nox/Torrent) and a more powerful V6 but no V8. It will be redesigned in '08 so I'll wait and see.

[AmericanRevolution]

Some minor changes to every model, including prices.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

Sky $21,000-$30,000
Exactly as-is. Redline version should offer 300-hp turbo-changed engine and a race-tuned suspension and minor interior and exterior changes for a more aggressive, sporty design.

Price starts at aroudn $25,000. 300HP is too mcuh for Redline. Possibly 250HP is realistic.

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

Aura $25,000-$36,000
Exactly as-is. Redline version should offer 350-hp turbo-changed V6 engine and a race-tuned suspension and minor interior and exterior changes for a more aggressive, sporty design. Luxury version (any ideas for names?) should offer a 300-hp V6 engine that is smoother, a cabin that is more refined and classy, quiety and silkier, and a suspension that rides softer. Also, more standard equipement. An Acura RL-level competitor.

Competitor will be Passat... not RL (which competes with STS).
base engine should be about 200HP. mid-level V6 at 255. Redline shuld be near 300.

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

Ion $22,000-$32,000
Saturn's Astra that is classier and more luxury-oriented interior, a quieter and smoother ride, and a softer suspension. Redline version should offer 275-hp turbo I5 engine and a race-tuned suspension and minor interior and exterior changes for a more aggressive, sporty design. An RSX-level competitor.

Price too high. $18,000 base is more realistic. base engine should be a 170HP EcoTec. Redline should be a Turbo Ecotec at 250.

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

Vue $48,000-$60,000
Heavily modified Theta platform with completely redesigned interior and exterior, riding softer, far classier, smoother engine, quiety and silkier cabin that says luxury. V6 and V8 options. Luxury version (any ideas for names?) should offer a 350/375-hp V8 engine. Also, more standard equipement. Should target VW's Touareg.

Touareg is a good target point for VUE. unfortunately... not at that price, and not on Theta. Touareg starts at $31K and ramps to $55K.
VUE should remain as is with a similar price point... but upgraded. Better than Torrent or 'Nox. but not as good a BRX or 9-4X.

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

Storm $60,000-$71,000
A mid-engine NSX-level competitor, this car is extremely sporty. With 350 hp from the V6 (Redline pumps out nearly 400hp plus a race-tuned suspension and minor interior and exterior changes for a more aggressive, sporty design), this car is extremely quick. A stiff suspension setup helps it corner like a sports car.

Not needed.

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

Relay $26,000-$36,000
A sleeker design with more luxury, comfort, safety, features, compartments, and more powerful engines. Should go against the Chrysler Town & Country.

Kill Relay.
Outlook should be Touareg competitor... w/o off roading capabilities of Touareg. $33-48K.

[AmericanRevolution]

Alright, it's been streamlined, prices readjusted, but the Storm remains, as, in my view anyway, Saturn is set to take on Acura, VW, and the lower end of Lexus. The Storm would deal with the NSX.

[gmhashope]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Price starts at aroudn $25,000. 300HP is too mcuh for Redline. Possibly 250HP is realistic.


Competitor will be Passat... not RL (which competes with STS).
base engine should be about 200HP. mid-level V6 at 255. Redline shuld be near 300.


Price too high. $18,000 base is more realistic. base engine should be a 170HP EcoTec. Redline should be a Turbo Ecotec at 250.


Touareg is a good target point for VUE. unfortunately... not at that price, and not on Theta. Touareg starts at $31K and ramps to $55K.
VUE should remain as is with a similar price point... but upgraded. Better than Torrent or 'Nox. but not as good a BRX or 9-4X.


Not needed.


Kill Relay.
Outlook should be Touareg competitor... w/o off roading capabilities of Touareg. $33-48K.

I like your changes. That for the most part would be my ideal Saturn line-up.

[DuSpinnst]

What is "Mr Ideal Lineup's" obsession with Exotics. Mid-Engine cars are not something Saturn wants or needs. Who is going to buy a Mid-Engine Saturn? NO ONE.

[AmericanRevolution]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

What is "Mr Ideal Lineup's" obsession with Exotics. Mid-Engine cars are not something Saturn wants or needs. Who is going to buy a Mid-Engine Saturn? NO ONE.

lol... well... what can I say? My favorite car is a Diablo... need I say more? :p

Favorite car being an exotic and an addiction to HP does that to a man...

[AmericanRevolution]

Storm taken out.

[AmericanRevolution]

New model added: Universe (any better ideas for the name?) and the Aura has been slightly modified. Also, Ion renamed Ring, and minor changes to that, too.

[Proetus]

Astra
- 2.4L 170hp Ecotec, 6-speed auto
- Needs to compete with Mazda3 so HIDs, LED tails, DVD sat-nav, leather, etc.
- $20k+



Aura
- 2.8HF 210hp, 6-speed auto
- 3.6HF 260hp, 6-speed auto
- Take the 3500/4-speed and drop it on a bean counter.
- $23k+



Antara - 4-door version already coming in '08 to replace Vue
Lutz: "Will be identical to the future Saturn VUE"
- Honda 3.5L, 6-speed auto
- $20k+



Sky
- turbo option down the road



Zafira (kill Relay)
- 2.0 Turbo 240hp, 6-speed auto
- $23k+



Corsa
- Various Ecotec options, 4-speed auto
- $14k+



Final step: rename Saturn to Opel.

[gmhashope]

I think renaming Saturn to Opel would be a stupid idea, but I like your line-up except for the Corsa. That thing is ugly.

[atomicshark]

Originally Posted by gmhashope

I think renaming Saturn to Opel would be a stupid idea, but I like your line-up except for the Corsa. That thing is ugly.

Exactly. If Saturn should change it's name then the Brits should change Vauxhall to Opel. They are pretty much the same cars, even more so than Saturn.

Saturn is a good name. I agree it should stay.

[AmericanRevolution]

Originally Posted by gmhashope

I think renaming Saturn to Opel would be a stupid idea, but I like your line-up except for the Corsa. That thing is ugly.

Agreed... and for the Corsa... remember, Saturn is now the import-fighter... and the higher end ones at that (Acura/new VW/etc)...

Though why the Honda engine? Ya, it's nice, but GM has some good engines...

[Butz]

I'll Add to Proetus Lineup..

ION
- 2.4L 170hp Ecotec, 6-speed auto
- Needs to compete with Mazda3 so HIDs, LED tails, DVD sat-nav, leather, etc.
- $20k+



Aura
- 2.8HF 210hp, 6-speed auto
- 3.6HF 260hp, 6-speed auto
- Take the 3500/4-speed and drop it on a bean counter.
- $23k+



Antara - 3-door and 5-door version
Lutz: "Will be identical to the future Saturn VUE"
- 3.6HF 260 hp, 6-speed auto
- $20k+



Sky
- turbo option down the road



Zafira (kill Relay)
- 2.0 Turbo 240hp, 6-speed auto
- $23k+



ORB aka Corsa
- Various Ecotec options, 6-speed auto
- $14k+



MERIVA (A Small MPV to fill the gap between the Zafira and the ORB)
- Various Ecotec options, 6-speed auto
- $18k+




Outlook
* Saturn's first Xover
- 3.6HF 260 hp, 6-speed auto
- $35k+

[AmericanRevolution]

Updated the VUE... I've fallen inlove with the Antara... lol