Trim Levels
Base: XE
Mid-level: GL, XR
Up-level: RL
Body Styles: Sedan, SportWagon
Introduction
Designing the Aura was tough, as the current model has just been debuted recently, to industry-wide acclaim and a North American Car of The Year Award (NACOTY). We started with what we do know about the next generation Aura. The 2012 Saturn Aura will be virtually identical to it's European market counterpart, the Opel Vectra. Based on GM's highly flexible Epsilon II platform, the Vectra/Aura will be a good indication of where GM wants to take Saturn as a brand. As Saturn's flagship sedan, we didn't take this lightly.
Many have liked the Opel GTC Concept, and while some cues have been used on the Aura from the GTC, we decided to be creative and possibly influence the design direction of the Aura at GM. In our lineup, the Aura moves upmarket at the top end and closely mirrors it's chief competitor, the VW Passat. Firmly placed in the near-luxury market, Aura not only offers the standard technology suite required for competing in this segment, but also brings some new stuff to the table. Available and standard features include SmartKey, Bluetooth, Navigation, OnStar, Heated/Cooled Front & Rear Seats, Rain Sensing Wipers and Projector/LED Headlamps. The LED headlamps would be a first for it's segment. Another innovative feature is the availability of both heated and cooled seats for the rear passengers.
Based on the Epsilon II platform. the Aura changes tack with the introduction of a standard 4-cylinder Ecotec engine in the base XE model in place of the current OHV V6. Starting out at $22,150, XE is a great value and offers features that many have been longing for on a mid-size GM vehicle; an sporty drive, excellent interior, navigation availability, and a manual transmission to name a few. Next is the lineup is the Green Line (GL), starting at $25,150. In it's next generation, the GL takes GM's mainstream hybrid sedans to a new level by changing over to the Dual Mode hybrid system. Unlike the BAS in the current Aura, Dual Mode enables the GL to be a "full" hybrid, therefore yielding much better fuel economy ratings, a key marketing figure for the PR department and the "green" image Saturn is trying to craft. Starting at $29,950 and topping out at $36,950 fully loaded ($38,450 with AWD), the XR is all about luxury and upscale refinement. Elegant and luxurious, the XR’s exterior oozes luxury and Euro style. The inside is no different; XR impresses with exotic combinations of real wood, two tone leather, and soft Amber LED lighting; Aura XR is the pinnacle of luxury for the Saturn brand. Next is the model with a completely different mission altogether: the RL, powered by a 3.6L 315HP V6 and coming fully loaded with AWD and Navigation. On the outside, the RL is aggressive and sports ground effects, aggressive front clip and darkened headlamp surrounds. Inside, RL eschews XR's luxury look for metallic trim and red ambient lighting. From a sedan for everyone (XE), to people looking to save gas (GL), to those looking for luxury (XR) and those wanting a sports sedan (RL), Aura's got it covered.
There is varying reports as to when the production Aura will debut; some have said 2010, others, 2012, so we're going with 2011 as the introduction date of our proposed 2012 Aura. It's going to be interesting; Saturn has time to take some of the ideas here into account; let's see if the production Aura reflects the work and detail put into the Aura by the RIA team.
Specifications Sheet
Vehicle Type: Midsize 5 Passenger 4-Door Sedan and 5-Door SportWagon
Size Comparison: VW Passat
Competitors: VW Passat, Lincoln MKZ, Acura TL
Base Platform: Epsilon II
Drive Wheels: FWD (Standard, XE/GL/XR), AWD (Option, XR), AWD (Standard, RL)
Engines:
XE: 2.0L 230HP Ecotec Turbo 4 - $22,150 - $24,950
GL: 2.0L 175HP Ecotec w/Dual Mode Hybrid System - $25,150 - $27,150
XR: 3.6L 285HP HF V6 - FWD: $29,995 to $36,950 | AWD: $31,495 - $38,450
RL: 3.6L 315HP HF V6 w/DI - $39,995 (Fully Loaded)
Transmissions: 6 Speed Automatic (Standard, XE/GL/XR), 6 Speed Manual (Optional, XE/XR/RL), 6-Speed DSG (Standard, RL)