April 12, 200817 yr 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 http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...856&type=0# 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 http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...857&type=0# Outlook Deletions Exterior paint color (67U) Silver Pearl Exterior paint color (78U) Ocean Mist (US9) AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible 6-disc in-dash CD changer (UQG) 10-speaker enhanced system with subwoofer and amplifier (LY7) 3.6L Variable Valve Timing V6 engine (PCU) Advanced Audio Package New Features Exterior paint color (17U) Quick Silver Exterior paint color (92U) Silver Moss (UPF) Bluetooth for phone, personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system and HMI (Human Machine Interface) (UQS) Bose 5.1 Surround Sound 9_speaker system with subwoofer and amplifier (UQA) Bose 9-speaker system with subwoofer and amplifier (QQD) P255/55R20-107J all-season, blackwall, touring tires (PDJ) 4 - 20" x 7.5" machined painted spoke wheels (LLT) 3.6L Variable Valve Timing V6 D1 Direct Injection engine (UBS) XM Nav Traffic Changes (PCU) Bose Audio Package replaced by 2 new audio packages (PCJ) Bose Audio Package and (PCN) Bose Surround Sound Audio Package (QT6) 4 - 19" x 7.5" (48.3 cm x 19.1 cm) polished aluminum wheels were included and only available with (PCZ) Touring Package on XR models are now Standard on XR models (QS6) 4 - 18" x 7.5" (45.7 cm x 19.1 cm) machined aluminum wheels were Standard on XR models, are now Standard on XE models http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...858&type=0#
April 12, 200817 yr Author Sky Deletions (25U) Midnight Blue exterior color (72U) Bluestone exterior color New Features (48U) Evening Blue exterior color (79U) Ruby Red exterior color (UPF) Bluetooth phone interface is standard on ZMG67and is included on ZMB67 with (PCQ) Premium Trim Package http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...859&type=0# Vue Deletions (15U) Silver Pearl exterior color (56U) Sunburst Orange exterior color (67U) Silver Pearl exterior color New Features (17U) Quick Silver exterior color (51U) Goldmist exterior color (61U) Aquamarine exterior color (UPF) Bluetooth for phone Changes (U3U) AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD player and DVD-based navigation is no longer available on XE models http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...860&type=0# Vue Greenline Deletions (15U) Golden Cashmere exterior color (56U) Sunburst Orange exterior color (67U) Silver Pearl exterior color New Features (17U) Quick Silver exterior color (51U) Goldmist exterior color (61U) Aquamarine exterior color ZLU26 V6 Green Line model (AP3) Remote vehicle starter system http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...861&type=0#
April 12, 200817 yr Oh man, looks like the Asstra is discontinued after one model year... for shame. Oh well, from the looks of things, the local dealer has enough of them to last at least another year. :AH-HA_wink:
April 12, 200817 yr Oh man, looks like the Asstra is discontinued after one model year... for shame. Oh well, from the looks of things, the local dealer has enough of them to last at least another year. :AH-HA_wink: What makes you say that? It's too new to the Saturn line-up to receive any model year changes, which is why it isn't listed.
April 12, 200817 yr Just stirring the pot, so to speak. And it does need some changes, like a tan/black interior choice, a 12 hour clock display instead of 24, better base wheels, a couple of new exterior color choices, Red- and Greenline models, etc., all of these things would improve the car.
April 12, 200817 yr Author These 09 details are still incomplete anyway. Right, at least in a few ways--like with the Astra not yet listed. Most everything that is, is shown now, though.
April 14, 200817 yr Oh man, looks like the Asstra is discontinued after one model year... for shame. Oh well, from the looks of things, the local dealer has enough of them to last at least another year. :AH-HA_wink: I highly doubt it. I'm just starting to see them around lately. They're probably waiting on GME for the info.
April 14, 200817 yr Author I highly doubt it. I'm just starting to see them around lately. They're probably waiting on GME for the info. Correct-o. That was a joke, but the Astra info will be out soon enough, just delayed a bit because of the unique Euro-base, etc. probably.
April 14, 200817 yr Correct-o. That was a joke, but the Astra info will be out soon enough, just delayed a bit because of the unique Euro-base, etc. probably. Yeah, I saw the wink right after I clicked submit. Now I feel stupid. Edited April 14, 200817 yr by ToniCipriani
April 14, 200817 yr Looks like the bluetooth whiners won't have anything to whine at GM about starting in 2009. GM was serious when they said they were deploying bluetooth pretty much across the board. It looks like in 2009 GM will have more models with Bluetooth than anyone else out there.
April 14, 200817 yr Looks like the bluetooth whiners won't have anything to whine at GM about starting in 2009. GM was serious when they said they were deploying bluetooth pretty much across the board. It looks like in 2009 GM will have more models with Bluetooth than anyone else out there. Yeah, but that's because GM has more models in general than anyone else out there. :AH-HA_wink:
April 14, 200817 yr Yeah, but that's because GM has more models in general than anyone else out there. :AH-HA_wink: Still, it looks like Bluetooth is going into everything from the Cobalt on up with the exception of the Colorado/Canyon and the work trucks. No one else has bluetooth in that percentage of their lineup do they? Maybe Honda?
April 14, 200817 yr Still, it looks like Bluetooth is going into everything from the Cobalt on up with the exception of the Colorado/Canyon and the work trucks. No one else has bluetooth in that percentage of their lineup do they? Maybe Honda? If you just mean "available" instead of "standard," Nissan is at 100%. So is Subaru, but they only have 5 models here. ChryCo has it available in everything but the Viper, Sprinter (I think), Crossfire, and Wrangler. That's about 86%, so I think GM has them beat, if only by a little bit. Toy's missing the Yaris and all of Scion. Just since you asked... Edited April 14, 200817 yr by Lamar
April 14, 200817 yr That's one of the reasons that people complain that GM is behind technologically... because most everyone else has it already.
April 18, 200817 yr Well they finally fixed the Bluetooth issue. Now they just need to up the Auras V6 mileage to Accord/Camry/Sonata levels, add a rear seat center armrest and overhead assist grips and fix the terrible electric power steering on 4 banger models. Oh and where is the 4 door sedan Astra and 36 highway Ecotec AKA Cobalt/G5?
April 18, 200817 yr Oh and where is the 4 door sedan Astra a couple years away, it's called the "next gen."
May 15, 200817 yr Correct-o. That was a joke, but the Astra info will be out soon enough, just delayed a bit because of the unique Euro-base, etc. probably. So... is the Astra info out yet?
May 18, 200817 yr The commercial ordering guide is up on the GM site, apparently theres no changes for the 2009 Astra, no new colors or anything, however on the VUE though, Chili Pepper Red replaces that green that they had offered.
May 20, 200817 yr That's one of the reasons that people complain that GM is behind technologically... because most everyone else has it already. Yeah....but lord it seems like they do that with everything!!!!!!! (OnStar an obvious exception.)
May 21, 200817 yr So the only engine for the Outlook will be the 3.6 DI version? I didn't think they'd drop the MPFI motor... ... but I guess they are doing the same for the Envoy. Edited May 21, 200817 yr by traumadog
May 22, 200817 yr So the only engine for the Outlook will be the 3.6 DI version? I didn't think they'd drop the MPFI motor... ... but I guess they are doing the same for the Envoy. Does anyone else wonder, like me, why the Saturn and Chevy Lambdas offer both a single and a dual exhaust system and the GMC and Buick only offer the dual setup? Wouldn't it be smarter to just use the same exhaust system on all Lambdas? Especially since the single-exhaust loses 5hp.....? It CAN'T save THAT much money to go with the single system on the Saturn and Chevy......so why even offer it?
August 18, 200817 yr Possible solution for OEM-type/like AUX input in Astra: Saturnfans Thread (see posts #16 and on) Link to UK forum with original info
August 18, 200817 yr Just stirring the pot, so to speak. And it does need some changes, like a tan/black interior choice, a 12 hour clock display instead of 24, better base wheels, a couple of new exterior color choices, Red- and Greenline models, etc., all of these things would improve the car. Careful my friend. Certain admins around here will be threatening you within hours if you 'stir the pot too much' like I apparently did. Ahh, GM and it's bureaucracies...
August 18, 200817 yr Careful my friend. Certain admins around here will be threatening you within hours if you 'stir the pot too much' like I apparently did. Oh... come on... on a 4-month old post, you're gonna say this? Anyway... This isn't the Buick forum... now is it? If you weren't aware, Saturn has a relationship with GME... check out some posts by one of our members, PCS, to learn more. Feel free to blast away with your perspective/ opinion/ agenda on GME
August 18, 200817 yr GME doesn't have a clue what Americans want, if the Asstra is any indication. Local dealership has the very same 20 Asstras sitting there, collecting dust... for months and months... Saturn should be axed, now.
August 19, 200817 yr GME doesn't have a clue what Americans want, if the Asstra is any indication. Local dealership has the very same 20 Asstras sitting there, collecting dust... for months and months... Saturn should be axed, now. The Astra is suffering because it is the wrong product for the wrong division: 1) The car does not offer some of the amenities expected by U.S. buyers (especially at this price point). No front center armrest, no front cupholders, no auxillary stereo input, no satellite radio, 24 hour clock, bizarre ergonomics, etc. The Astra begins to look overpriced and underequipped when test drove back to back with competitors that cost the same or less that have those amenities. 2) The car is underpowered compared to most of its rivals. The U.S. Astra should have the same powerplants that are available in the Cobalt/G5. A premium compact should never appear underpowered when compared to its more affordable platform mates. 3) No sedan version. Many U.S. buyers prefer this configuration. It should have been offered along with the 3-door and 5-door versions. 4) Wrong division. Saturn will never be perceived as a premium division. It started its existence as an affordable small vehicle division and I don't think GM will ever be successful at moving it upmarket. Therefore, the division will not be successful at selling premium products in the market. What it comes down to is that the current Astra should not have been offered in the U.S., especially as a Saturn product. If GM wants a midmarket premium division, then they should replace Saturn with Opel and simultaneously introduce the Insignia (sedan and wagon) and next generation Astra (sedan, 3-door, 5-door) when they launch the division in the U.S (the next gen Meriva, Zafira, and Corsa can be added later). To me, GM is wasting money trying to support or transform Saturn because it will always be perceived as a Chevrolet alternative in the minds of the buying public. There is no need to market 2 brands to target the same portion of the market. A couple of words of advice for GM if they choose to offer next gen Opel products here as Opels: 1) Make sure that the products offer all of the amenities that U.S. buyers will expect in a premium vehicle before you make it available here. 2) Focus the cars marketing on the Euro origins/styling/engineering/driving dynamics of the brand. Make the brand's advertising sophisticated and appealing to the premium shopper (the current Saturn ads are very dorky and don't really indicate the new status or purpose of the brand). Downplay GM's connection and involvement with the brand (the target demographic will be attracted by the brand's Euro origins but repelled if they think it's just another GM division). Edited August 19, 200817 yr by cire
August 19, 200817 yr We could of had this instead: undefined undefined undefined undefined I think it might have fared a little better than the 3-door or 5-door if GM would have ensured that it had the right amenities and more power. Oh well...
August 19, 200817 yr Looks too much like a Cobalt to be taken seriously at such a price premium. I'd say it puts the Cobalt sedan to shame...
August 20, 200817 yr We could of had this instead: undefined undefined undefined undefined I think it might have fared a little better than the 3-door or 5-door if GM would have ensured that it had the right amenities and more power. Oh well... THAT INTERIOR PICTURE HAS AN ARMREST!!!! ARRGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 20, 200817 yr i would absolutely FORGIVE all the astras other flaws if it had a 6th gear, 20 more hp, and cruised at 2500 rpm at 75mph, not 3750-4000 rpm.
August 20, 200817 yr GM seriously should have brought the wagon and sedan here as well to round out the line. even if it looks like the cobalt, the interior is far nicer and it drives a lot better. astra is a seriously sweet little car....but GM needed to tend to the flaws and didn't. Edited August 20, 200817 yr by regfootball
August 20, 200817 yr GM seriously should have brought the wagon and sedan here as well to round out the line. even if it looks like the cobalt, the interior is far nicer and it drives a lot better. astra is a seriously sweet little car....but GM needed to tend to the flaws and didn't. I don't think the Astra sedan looks that similar to the Cobalt sedan. I think the Astra sedan has a somewhat smoother and sportier appearance when compared to the Cobalt sedan. I think there is enough of a difference in the appearance that it doesn't appear to be a rebadge (unlike the Cobalt's relationship to the G5). One thing that I found odd about the Cobalt and Astra sedans were the difference in their wheelbases. The Cobalt sedan has a 103.5 inch wheelbase while the Astra sedan has a 106.4 inch wheelbase. I thought the sedans would have the same wheelbase since they are nearly identical in their exterior dimensions and are based on the Delta platform. I realize that the difference in wheelbase measurements is not really significant, but I did find it interesting. Just in case someone doesn't believe me, I have attached links to the cars' specifications pages: undefined undefined
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