And I thought those wheels were an exclusive on the Aura:

Edited September 15, 200519 yr by HarleyEarl

I think you'll see that design on a lot of GM cars. The Solstice has GM accessory wheels that look like those too.

So, are the toned down wheel flairs an Aura thing too? I really hope not, since they give the Aura so much more character and presence as compared to the Astra.

Me too, hope the Aura doesn't just rebadge the Opel. I really like the wheel flares and sill on the Saturn. Gives it a nice stance, solid.

The wheels were first seen on the Astra VXR:

crap, you are right, I had overlooked that. Here I always thought the Aura had them first. And for the record, they have to be one of my favorite wheels of all time.

Edited September 16, 200519 yr by HarleyEarl

Good news for fans of the concept. Though, I don't think they'll be chrome-plated like that. They're a little too gawdy.

Good news for fans of the concept.  Though, I don't think they'll be chrome-plated like that.  They're a little too gawdy.

[post="15230"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Bling sells

Here's another look... This looks more like the lower fascia of the Aura...(Aurora? Anyone else see the similarities... The "comeback" car for Olds is now a slightly modified name for the "comeback" car for Saturn???)

But notice how the sill carries through onto the fender lip on the Aura....that is what makes it look so good.

Me too, hope the Aura doesn't just rebadge the Opel.  I really like the wheel flares and sill on the Saturn.  Gives it a nice stance, solid.

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Same here.. Especially the rear.. granted it's simular to the G6, I think it has more striking body lines that the Vectra's rear.
Also LED Taillights would be awsome in a GM car other than Cadillac, but I'm not putting my money down that it's going to happen.

That great! This means that the production vehicle won't loose the overall excitement of the show car. I think the new Vectra is stunning. Let's hope GM doesn't loose the appeal on the inside.

Same here.. Especially the rear.. granted it's simular to the G6, I think it has more striking body lines that the Vectra's rear.
Also LED Taillights would be awsome in a GM car other than Cadillac, but I'm not putting my money down that it's going to happen.

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Agreed... I was surprised the LaCrosse and Lucerne didn't have LEDs.

So if they're doing this to the Aura, why can't they speed the process up on replacing the Ion?

Exactly, they should transplant one of the Opel models here to put the Ion out of it's misery. Do a blatant rebadge. Anything would be better than the awful Ion.

Exactly, they should transplant one of the Opel models here to put the Ion out of it's misery.  Do a blatant rebadge.  Anything would be better than the awful Ion.

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I agree.. hell, If i was in the market for a new car, I'd seriously consider a 3 door Astra.
And to think I HATE hatches...

I hate hatches too, but something about this Opel just grabs me. It's downright sexy, hot. It's almost a two-door sport wagon. I love it! Put an Ion beside this, well don't, it's just too painful.

I hate hatches too, but something about this Opel just grabs me.  It's downright sexy, hot.  It's almost a two-door sport wagon.  I love it!  Put an Ion beside this, well don't, it's just too painful.

[post="16548"][/post]

As much as I hate the horrible Saturn Dealers service, I'd convert to Saturn for the Astra Coupe.

For the record, those wheels also pre-date the Astra VXR. They have been an optional (but regular factory - not aftermarket) wheel on Vectra for a couple of years in Europe. You see lots on the road over here. They're 19's.

I never liked hatches and I don't like this one either.