2008 Saturn Astra XR Review

Ever complain about the lack of affordable European influenced cars on our side of the pond? If your answer is ‘yes’, then Saturn wants you to take a look at the new Astra. The Astra completes a re-invention of Saturn’s model line-up and is of huge importance to the GM division.

 

The Astra currently comes in three or five doors, so ford customers, disappointed by the now hatchless focus, now have another vehicle to consider. The Astra also has the following options available, 17-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, and chrome features (chrome is hard to pull off on an affordable car, but it works well here).

 

On the inside the Astra has a top-level finish. Soft material are everywhere, and the entire cabin has a well bolted down and heavy, solid feel to it. There are also metal door sill plates, fabric lines a-pillars, click free turn signal stalk, and rubberized climate and audio control knobs. It has some ritzy stuff for $25,000.

 

In the back the cargo area offers decent space behind the split-folding seats, as well as tie-down points to keep items secure on the go.

 

Astra’s European upbringing is apparent in the driving dynamics. The Astra rips up curves with near non-existent body roll and eagerly invites drivers to explore its limits. The solid suspension is relatively quiet and well damped for the grip provided, adding to the overall feel of quality on board.

 

Overall, there is a premium feel throughout the Astra. It recalls portions of the Volvo C30, Volkswagen Rabbit, and MINI Cooper S because of its solid, heavy feel, premium interior, and near go-kart handling.

 

GM Slashes North American Truck Production

General Motors has just announced that they will be cutting full size truck production in North America by 138,000 units by the end of the year. This includes taking out 88,000 full size pick-up units and 50,000 full size SUV units. They will be eliminating three full size truck assembly plants in Pontiac, Michigan; flint, Michigan; and Oshawa, Ontario. They will also be eliminating one full size SUV assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Shift reductions will be effective on the following dates:

• Flint Assembly (Heavy Duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) — July 14

•Janesville (Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL) — July 14

• Pontiac Assembly (Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra) — July 14

• Oshawa Truck (Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) — Sept. 8

The decision was made to bring production more in line with market demand. Since the market has been shifting more towards cars and crossovers, GM is seeing strong sales of the new Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Impala, Buick Enclave, and GMC Arcadia.

“With rising fuel prices, a softening economy, and a downward trend on current and future market demand for full-size trucks, a significant adjustment was needed to align our production with market realities,” said Troy Clarke, president of GM North America.

Clarke also added that the company is continuing to explore options to increase car and crossover production.

GM Slashes North American Truck Production

General Motors has just announced that they will be cutting full size truck production in North America by 138,000 units by the end of the year. This includes taking out 88,000 full size pick-up units and 50,000 full size SUV units. They will be eliminating three full size truck assembly plants in Pontiac, Michigan; flint, Michigan; and Oshawa, Ontario. They will also be eliminating one full size SUV assembly plant in Janesville, Wisconsin.

 

Shift reductions will be effective on the following dates:

 

• Flint Assembly (Heavy Duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) — July 14

 

•Janesville (Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL) — July 14

 

• Pontiac Assembly (Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra) — July 14

 

• Oshawa Truck (Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra) — Sept. 8

 

The decision was made to bring production more in line with market demand. Since the market has been shifting more towards cars and crossovers, GM is seeing strong sales of the new Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Impala, Buick Enclave, and GMC Arcadia.

 

“With rising fuel prices, a softening economy, and a downward trend on current and future market demand for full-size trucks, a significant adjustment was needed to align our production with market realities,” said Troy Clarke, president of GM North America.

 

Clarke also added that the company is continuing to explore options to increase car and crossover production.

 

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The official dyno numbers are in: The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the forthcoming Chevy Corvette ZR1 cranks out 638 horsepower.

That’s about 20 hp more than the estimates from General Motors’

powertrain gurus when they unveiled the new ZR1 and its monster motor last December.

To simplify the math: The LS9 engine in the ZR1 is rated at 103 hp per liter of displacement, or 1.7 hp per cubic inch (6.2 liters is equal to 376 cubic inches, for the old schoolers in the audience.)

All that power will push the Corvette ZR1, which goes on sale this summer, to a top speed of more than 200 mph, GM says.

What about the grunt? The official number is 604 lb-ft of torque.

The key to that making all the horsepower and torque is a Roots-type supercharger with four-lobe rotors that sits atop the LS9 engine. A liquid-to-air intercooler is integrated into the supercharger’s housing.

The engine will be hand-built at GM’s Performance Build Center in suburban Detroit, the same plant that hand-builds the LS7 V8 used in the Corvette Z06.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The official dyno numbers are in: The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the forthcoming Chevy Corvette ZR1 cranks out 638 horsepower.

That’s about 20 hp more than the estimates from General Motors’

powertrain gurus when they unveiled the new ZR1 and its monster motor last December.

To simplify the math: The LS9 engine in the ZR1 is rated at 103 hp per liter of displacement, or 1.7 hp per cubic inch (6.2 liters is equal to 376 cubic inches, for the old schoolers in the audience.)

All that power will push the Corvette ZR1, which goes on sale this summer, to a top speed of more than 200 mph, GM says.

What about the grunt? The official number is 604 lb-ft of torque.

The key to that making all the horsepower and torque is a Roots-type supercharger with four-lobe rotors that sits atop the LS9 engine. A liquid-to-air intercooler is integrated into the supercharger’s housing.

The engine will be hand-built at GM’s Performance Build Center in suburban Detroit, the same plant that hand-builds the LS7 V8 used in the Corvette Z06.

2008 Saturn Sky Carbon Flash Special Edition

The 2008 SKY is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Roadster to the Red Line Carbon Flash Special Edition. Upon introduction, the Roadster is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 173-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. The new Red Line Carbon Flash Special Edition is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 260-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway.

Re-Think

Re-think

What if we took the time to rethink things? Forcing ourselves to look at how things are and imagining what they could be. Not waiting for change but being the catalyst. The philosophy of rethink has been ours since day one. Rethink is treating customers like people. Rethink is buying made easy. Rethink is style made accessible. Rethink is the greener approach. Rethink is the first LEED-Gold Certified automotive plant in North America. Rethink is hybrid technology. Rethink is five new models. Rethink is Saturn.

Rethink responsible.

The Aura. The 30MPG sport sedan.

We’ve rethought the sport sedan by making one that has all the room, comfort, and style you want, but still gets an EPA estimated 30 miles per gallon highway. And we didn’t stop there. With the 5 star crash safety rating and a 5-year/100,000-mile warranty, it’s the sport sedan from the company that’s rethinking everything.

Rethink safe.

The compact SUV with 137 safety features.

We’ve rethought the SUV by making one that protects you from every angle. The 137 standard safety features surround you in protection and the available navigation, and hybrid, takes care of the rest. It’s the compact SUV from the company that’s rethinking everything.

Rethink fuel-efficient.

The Outlook. The 24-MPG, 8-passenger crossover.

We’ve rethought the 8-passenger crossover by making ones that’s remarkably fuel-efficient with an estimated 24-MPG highway, loads of cargo capacity, and room for everyone. It proves that big can also be smart. It’s the super-rightsized crossover from the company that’s rethinking everything.

Rethink Impractical.

The Sky. The wildly impractical roadster.

We’ve rethought the roadster by making exotic styling and performance accessible to the masses. With an available 260-HP engine and a soft top that drops in seconds this German-inspired head-turner is not only exhilarating to drive, but you also get your recommended daily dose of fresh air. It’s the roadster from the company that’s rethinking everything.

Rethink Fun.

The Astra. The ridiculously fun to drive sport compact.

A sleep sport-tuned hatchback with European styling and an EPA estimated 32 MPG it commands attention to the drive, without commanding your wallet. The Astra, from the company that’s rethinking everything.

Re-Think

Re-think

 

What if we took the time to rethink things? Forcing ourselves to look at how things are and imagining what they could be. Not waiting for change but being the catalyst. The philosophy of rethink has been ours since day one. Rethink is treating customers like people. Rethink is buying made easy. Rethink is style made accessible. Rethink is the greener approach. Rethink is the first LEED-Gold Certified automotive plant in North America. Rethink is hybrid technology. Rethink is five new models. Rethink is Saturn.

 

Rethink responsible. 
The Aura. The 30MPG sport sedan.

We’ve rethought the sport sedan by making one that has all the room, comfort, and style you want, but still gets an EPA estimated 30 miles per gallon highway. And we didn’t stop there. With the 5 star crash safety rating and a 5-year/100,000-mile warranty, it’s the sport sedan from the company that’s rethinking everything.

 

Rethink safe. 
The compact SUV with 137 safety features. 
We’ve rethought the SUV by making one that protects you from every angle. The 137 standard safety features surround you in protection and the available navigation, and hybrid, takes care of the rest. It’s the compact SUV from the company that’s rethinking everything.

 

Rethink fuel-efficient. 
The Outlook. The 24-MPG, 8-passenger crossover. 
We’ve rethought the 8-passenger crossover by making ones that’s remarkably fuel-efficient with an estimated 24-MPG highway, loads of cargo capacity, and room for everyone. It proves that big can also be smart. It’s the super-rightsized crossover from the company that’s rethinking everything.

 

Rethink Impractical. 
The Sky. The wildly impractical roadster. 
We’ve rethought the roadster by making exotic styling and performance accessible to the masses. With an available 260-HP engine and a soft top that drops in seconds this German-inspired head-turner is not only exhilarating to drive, but you also get your recommended daily dose of fresh air. It’s the roadster from the company that’s rethinking everything.

 

Rethink Fun. 
The Astra. The ridiculously fun to drive sport compact. 
A sleep sport-tuned hatchback with European styling and an EPA estimated 32 MPG it commands attention to the drive, without commanding your wallet. The Astra, from the company that’s rethinking everything.