[nsap]

DETROIT -- Saturn Corp. on Monday confirmed it will introduce a large sport wagon crossover in 2006.

Supplier sources have said Saturn will have a crossover on General Motors' new Lambda architecture, designed for front-wheel-drive vans and sport wagons, but GM had not publicly said it will do so.

GM has told suppliers it will build base and upscale versions for a combined target of 100,000 units annually. GM will build Lambda vehicles in its new Delta Township plant under construction near Lansing, Mich.

GM plans to give Saturn a six-vehicle product range within the next 30 months, the automaker said Monday.

The new crossover will be the "big brother" to the Saturn Vue, said John Smith, GM group vice president for vehicle sales, service and marketing.

The Ion and Vue will be joined by the Saturn Relay minivan, due in showrooms later this year. Saturn will launch three vehicles in 2006 - the crossover, a new mid-size sedan to replace the L-series, and a roadster built on GM's new rear-wheel drive Kappa architecture.

Full Article

 

[Ming]

This was rumored about 6 months ago, good to see it confirmed.

Could this be the "Saturn Signal"?

 

[nsap]

Here Is What I think on the names

Saturn Signal--new midsize
Saturn SPV--Crossover
Saturn Curve--Kappa (I look for it to be another Solstice)

 

[tgagneguam]

I'm stoked about the impending expansion of the Saturn line, presuming the means by which GM accomplishes this is not simply a rebadge, a la Relay. As mentioned previously, GM has shown that it can successfully differentiate models built on the same chassis: VUE and Equinox, Malibu and 9-3, Corvette and XLR. Admittedly, in some circumstances one of them (VUE) appears weaker than its "sister ship" (Equinox).

I'm also curious if GM will be able to attain its goal of 20,000 Solstices/year and 20,000(?) Saturn Kappa convertibles/year, considering cars like the Miata and MR2, cars against which the Kappa convertibles presumably will compete, sold fewer than those numbers last year. As an example, though Miata sales were up 28.1% through February 2004 (yes, winter months, I know), they still totaled 1,345 for the first two months of the year. I wonder if the market will be able to absorb the excess numbers. It seemed to me that the beauty of the Kappa was its flexibility: a 2-seat convertible for Pontiac, a 4-place coupe for Saturn, and a 4-place "micro wagon" for Chevrolet. Hence, neither model would encroach upon another Kappa's targeted audience. That was part of the appeal of the Solstice, Curve and Nomad; it seemed uncharacteristically forward-thinking of GM. I hope that they haven't regressed.

 

[jro4566]

Isn't Suzuki supposed to get a version of this too? Or are they getting a version of the Equinox/Vue?

 

[nsap]

I think Suzuki was getting a Theta based vehicle...maybe not..

 

[PeteSaturnSales]

Originally posted by tgagneguam@Apr 20 2004, 12:54 PM
I'm stoked about the impending expansion of the Saturn line, presuming the means by which GM accomplishes this is not simply a rebadge, a la Relay.  As mentioned previously, GM has shown that it can successfully differentiate models built on the same chassis: VUE and Equinox, Malibu and 9-3, Corvette and XLR.  Admittedly, in some circumstances one of them (VUE) appears weaker than its "sister ship" (Equinox).

Vue weaker than Equinox? Give me a break. The V6VUE is a rocketship compared with anything in its class. Is the Corvette weaker than the XLR? I don't think so. I admit I don't even know what you mean by weak. However I would agree that some "sister-ships" as you put it get plus and minus for sharing (Saturn ION redline coupe vs. Chevy Cobalt SS s/c)

 

[tgagneguam]

Originally posted by PeteSaturnSales@Apr 21 2004, 02:36 AM
Vue weaker than Equinox? Give me a break. The V6VUE is a rocketship compared with anything in its class. Is the Corvette weaker than the XLR? I don't think so. I admit I don't even know what you mean by weak. However I would agree that some "sister-ships" as you put it get plus and minus for sharing (Saturn ION redline coupe vs. Chevy Cobalt SS s/c)

As I know you know, "weak" has multiple definitions; it doesn't always relate specifically to power. Like most on this site, I'm well aware of the engine choices and power outputs of a variety of engines found in many cars.

So I reread my post several times, and I'm a bit confused. I don't see where you think I said that the Corvette is weaker than the XLR. Both are great, and they're platform-sharing done right. Grab some spectacles and reread, please.

As an overall package, I still believe the Equinox is superior to the VUE. I agree with you that it may have been premature to make a final judgment 'til I actually drove the Equinox (with Honda's V-6), but while a 250-hp engine is great, a car is far more than the hp its engine produces. I'll take a 225-hp 330 Ci over a more powerful 280-hp Lincoln LS V-8 any day.

In retrospect, your Cobalt/Ion example may have been more apropos of platform-sharing done wrong at GM.

 

[mackingu]

Originally posted by tgagneguam@Apr 21 2004, 03:19 AM
As an overall package, I still believe the Equinox is superior to the VUE. I agree with you that it may have been premature to make a final judgment 'til I actually drove the Equinox (with Honda's V-6), but while a 250-hp engine is great, a car is far more than the hp its engine produces. I'll take a 225-hp 330 Ci over a more powerful 280-hp Lincoln LS V-8 any day.

i thought the only powertrain option for the equinox is the 3.4L V6. maybe you're not so well versed in the engine choices and power outputs of a variety of engines? i kid, i kid

 

[tgagneguam]

Originally posted by mackingu+Apr 21 2004, 10:15 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mackingu @ Apr 21 2004, 10:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-tgagneguam@Apr 21 2004, 03:19 AM
As an overall package, I still believe the Equinox is superior to the VUE. I agree with you that it may have been premature to make a final judgment 'til I actually drove the Equinox (with Honda's V-6), but while a 250-hp engine is great, a car is far more than the hp its engine produces.  I'll take a 225-hp 330 Ci over a more powerful 280-hp Lincoln LS V-8 any day.

i thought the only powertrain option for the equinox is the 3.4L V6. maybe you're not so well versed in the engine choices and power outputs of a variety of engines? i kid, i kid [/b][/quote]
Sharp! I'm glad you know that I meant VUE!

 

[pupp1]

might be fun to drive for a little while but im sure i would get bored with it soon