2009 Aura Changes Posted

[caddycruiser]

Aura:
Deletions
(QPE) P215/60R16 touring, blackwall tires
(QAD) P225/50R17 touring, blackwall tires
(QD1) 16" 5-spoke machined alloy wheels
(LZ4) 3.5L Variable Valve Timing V6 engine
(NW9) traction control
(MN5) 4-speed automatic transmission
Exterior color (15U) Golden Cashmere
Exterior color (40U) Cream White
Exterior color (53U) Bronzed Pewter
Exterior color (67U) Silver Pearl
(19B) Black cloth

New Features
(QGG) P215/55R17 touring, blackwall tires are standard on all models but XR V6 Sedan
Exterior paint color (17U) Quick Silver
Exterior paint color (50U) Polar White
Exterior paint color (51U) Gold Mist
Exterior paint color (92U) Silver Moss
(UPF) Bluetooth for phone, personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system is included and only available with (PCM) Preferred Package on XE Sedan and standard on XR Sedans

Changes
ZZV69 is now the XR 4-cylinder model
ZZX69 is the XR V6 model

Aura Greenline:
Deletions
(QPE) P215/60R16 touring, blackwall tires
(QD1) 16" 5-spoke machined alloy wheels
Exterior color (15U) Golden Cashmere
Exterior color (40U) Cream White
Exterior color (53U) Bronzed Pewter
Exterior color (67U) Silver Pearl

New Features
Exterior paint color (17U) Quick Silver
Exterior paint color (50U) Polar White
Exterior paint color (51U) Gold Mist
Exterior paint color (92U) Silver Moss
(UPF) Bluetooth for phone, personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system is included and only available with (PCM) Preferred Package
(QGG) P215/55R17 touring, blackwall tires
(PFG) Wheels 17" (43.2 cm) twin-spoke machined alloy


As talked about before, no more 3.5L and now the 2.4L is standard in both XE and XR trims--and gets the 6-speed on ALL, unlike the Malibu which still uses the 4-speed on some trims. Also, Bluetooth on everything.

Pretty good, especially the XR-4 which a lot of people have been wishing for, and though some may carp about the 3.5L going away...everyone who drives a 2.4L Aura seems to love it, and it will only help with CAFE, etc.

[JBsZ06]

Thanks for the heads up.

JB

[diurnal618]

no traction control?
Also very excited to see GM updating this product with what people want (I4 XR). Are we not going to see a MCE for the Aura for 09?
and bluetooth is over rated!

[crazyjkz]

It's definitely great to see that GM finally dropped the 4-speed auto entirely from the Aura lineup for 2009, and I also think it was a smart move to drop the 3500 as well. The 2.4 Ecotec/6-spd auto combo will get better mileage with most likely equal or better performance than the 3500, and with the new NVH refinements GM made to the 2.4 Ecotec it will probably be smoother and quieter than the 3500 as well.

And although you could argue that a 3500/6-spd auto combo would of been better performing than the 2.4/6-spd auto combo, you have to remember that the Aura and Saturn as a whole is suppose to be GM's import fighter, and most import-buyers are NOT looking for a pushrod motor under their hood. And even though many consumers don't really know the difference between OHV and OHC, thanks to the media many consumers will be immediately turned off to any "import-alternative" vehicle that is equipped with an OHV motor, plain and simple. The truth is that most import buyers think "anemic, unrefined, and outdated" when they think of pushrod, regardless of the relative advantage the 3500 holds over the 2.4 Ecotec in performance.

Also with gas prices predicted to reach $4-$5 a gallon in many parts of the U.S., it isn't really surprising that GM would do away with the 3500 and make the 2.4 Ecotec/6spd auto their complete base model powertrain.

[caddycruiser]

Originally Posted by crazyjkz

It's definitely great to see that GM finally dropped the 4-speed auto entirely from the Aura lineup for 2009, and I also think it was a smart move to drop the 3500 as well. The 2.4 Ecotec/6-spd auto combo will get better mileage with most likely equal or better performance than the 3500, and with the new NVH refinements GM made to the 2.4 Ecotec it will probably be smoother and quieter than the 3500 as well.

And although you could argue that a 3500/6-spd auto combo would of been better performing than the 2.4/6-spd auto combo, you have to remember that the Aura and Saturn as a whole is suppose to be GM's import fighter, and most import-buyers are NOT looking for a pushrod motor under their hood. And even though many consumers don't really know the difference between OHV and OHC, thanks to the media many consumers will be immediately turned off to any "import-alternative" vehicle that is equipped with an OHV motor, plain and simple. The truth is that most import buyers think "anemic, unrefined, and outdated" when they think of pushrod, regardless of the relative advantage the 3500 holds over the 2.4 Ecotec in performance.

Also with gas prices predicted to reach $4-$5 a gallon in many parts of the U.S., it isn't really surprising that GM would do away with the 3500 and make the 2.4 Ecotec/6spd auto their complete base model powertrain.

You took the words out of my mouth, exactly

As we currently own an '08 Malibu 2.4L with the 4-speed, and are pleased to pieces, I'm still anxious to see what the 6-speed does with it (not holding onto the spaced out gears so long will be a help), and am waiting on the first of the late '08 LTZ-4 Malibus to show up to take a drive.

Not a whole lot changed with the Aura, but the main issues were models and packaging...and they've properly fixed that.

[likearock00]

Yeah bluetooth......and new colors. Great.

[ronald mcretard]

good info... got anything on the Astra?

[TheGeneral]

Good move on the transmission and 3.5 delete.

[autofan]

I loved the XR 4-cyl idea but there are some features from the V6 XR that won't be available at any price: no fog lights, no auto climate control, and a downgrade to 17" wheels (like the 4-cyl Malibu LTZ). Why? I'd like a 4-cyl Aura XR or Malibu LTZ loaded just like their V6 siblings. GM can't fully understand that "premium" and "4-cylinder" can be synonymous.

[Aerodynamix]

Cool. Bluetooth AND the 2.4 I4 + 6spd combo. I'm curious to see what the mpg figures of this drivetrain will be.

[crazyjkz]

Originally Posted by caddycruiser

You took the words out of my mouth, exactly

As we currently own an '08 Malibu 2.4L with the 4-speed, and are pleased to pieces, I'm still anxious to see what the 6-speed does with it (not holding onto the spaced out gears so long will be a help), and am waiting on the first of the late '08 LTZ-4 Malibus to show up to take a drive.

Not a whole lot changed with the Aura, but the main issues were models and packaging...and they've properly fixed that.

If gas prices really do jump up to the $4-$5 per gallon price range this summer as many economists have predicted I'm seriously considering trading in my 3500VVT-equipped 2007 Aura XE for a 2009 Aura with the 2.4 Ecotec/6-spd auto combo. I'm very curious to see what the mpg and performance figures will be with the 2.4/6spd auto powertrain, but logically one would have to assume that they will be improved over the current 2.4/4spd auto combo.

The bottom line is that what GM did with the Aura's powertrain options for 2009 shows that they are finally truly understanding what the consumer majority desires when they are looking for an alternative to an Altima or Camcord. Doing away with the 4spd auto and the 3500 pushrod completely and having the 2.4/6spd auto as the base powertrain and leaving the 3.6/6spd auto as the sole V6 powertrain for the higher-end models was a very smart move by GM and this will do wonders in continuing to improve their brand images, reducing criticism from the media, and improving customer satisfaction.

The next step GM needs to take with the Aura's powertrains for next year is to make the 3.6 DI standard on the XR with around 280-300hp and conjure up a DI-version of the 2.4L Ecotec with around 190-200hp. GM is going to have to do this for the 2010 model year with ALL of their Epsilon cars if they are serious about competing with fwd midsize sedan competition in the years to come. Making the 6-speed auto standard across the board was a great move, but GM simply cannot stop there if they are serious about competing with the imports, plain and simple.

[TheGeneral]

Close to the hybrid model which is 24/32. Which isn't bad considering the aura weighs 3500 pounds

[coaster.n3rd]

09 is gonna be a good year.

[diurnal618]

Originally Posted by autofan

I loved the XR 4-cyl idea but there are some features from the V6 XR that won't be available at any price: no fog lights, no auto climate control, and a downgrade to 17" wheels (like the 4-cyl Malibu LTZ). Why? I'd like a 4-cyl Aura XR or Malibu LTZ loaded just like their V6 siblings. GM can't fully understand that "premium" and "4-cylinder" can be synonymous.

If that is true its very sad. thats what makes the XR different from the XE. fog lights, auto climate and the wheels! What are the other differences?

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by autofan

I loved the XR 4-cyl idea but there are some features from the V6 XR that won't be available at any price: no fog lights, no auto climate control, and a downgrade to 17" wheels (like the 4-cyl Malibu LTZ). Why? I'd like a 4-cyl Aura XR or Malibu LTZ loaded just like their V6 siblings. GM can't fully understand that "premium" and "4-cylinder" can be synonymous.

Probably has nothing to do with what they think, but rather getting suppliers to make additional variations in wiring harnesses as well as setting up the assembly line to make these additional variants.