Saturn Outlook, Aura and Sky Red Line for New York.
Saturn Has New Outlook
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The Saturn Outlook is a three-row, eight-passenger crossover vehicle that goes into production late this year inMichigan. The Outlook is based on GM's new crossover vehicle platform, Lambda, that will also see a new Buick Enclave wagon and a GMC with the unconfirmed name of Acadia, and a new Opel. Powering the Outlook is the GM 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing. It is rated at an estimated 269 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the unibody vehicle shares a six-speed automatic transmission that was developed with Ford Motor Company. While transmission components are shared with Ford, application engineering, such as for its calibration, is unique. GM says the when compared with its usual four-speed automatic, the new transmission provides performance improvements of about six to eight percent while improving fuel economy two to four percent. The Aura, Sky Red Line, and Outlook are among five new vehicles joining the Saturn family for the 2007 model year. -Ken Zino
Usual auto-industry practice is to wait a year or two before introducing derivatives of a new car. This gives companies and dealers something to hawk after the initial sales surge diminishes and the line needs a promotional boost. Not at Saturn nor at Pontiac this time around. The Saturn Sky roadster just now appearing in showrooms starting at $23,690 will be joined this fall by a Red Line version. Red means 260 hp, and 260 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine in place of the base 2.4-liter, 177-hp four-cylinder. This is GM's highest specific output engine ever at 2.1 hp per cubic inch of displacement (130 hp/liter) and the most powerful engine in the Ecotec family. The same powertrain and output numbers apply to the upcoming Pontiac Solstice GXP, the performance version of the Solstice, which starts at $20,490 with less standard equipment than the Sky. The Sky and an upcoming Opel GT version due late this year are based on the same Kappa platform as the Solstice. The turbocharged versions are not priced yet, but look for several thousand dollars to be added, especially if current initial demand remains high. Turbocharged versions should be easily capable of zero-to-60 mph elapsed times of less than six seconds. -Ken Zino
One more time with an Opel feeling? The new Saturn Aura is a mid-size sedan, due this summer as the brand's second attempt at expanding into a segment long dominated by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, after the unlamented and cancelled L-Series. The Aura is based on the Epsilon mid-size car platform shared with the Opel Vectra, but built in the U.S. A 3.5-liter V-6 with variable valve timing (VVT) is standard, while there's an optional more powerful 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 with VVTi. The 3.6-liter engine is mated to a new, six-speed automatic transmission - the first GM product to receive what is called a performance-oriented, fuel-saving gearbox. Later in the 2007 model year, an Aura hybrid model will become available. It uses a four-cylinder-based mild hybrid powertrain similar to the Saturn Vue Green Line appearing this summer. The Vue hybrid is predicted to be the lowest-cost hybrid-powered SUV in the market, starting at less than $23,000, and offering fuel economy improvements of about 20 percent in stop-and-go driving estimated by GM at 27 mpg city. It uses a combination electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4-liter VVT four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission. Efficiency is increased by engine shut-off at idle, fuel cut-off during deceleration, electric power assist during acceleration, and regenerative braking. -Ken Zino
Ford Plugs Mustang GT/California Special for New York
2007 Ford Mustang GT/CS |
They're nothing if not bi-coastal - Ford's planning on hitting up New York Auto Show audiences to drool over the new California Special edition of the Mustang. The limited-edition 2007 Mustang GT/CS ("California Special"), Ford says, draws its inspiration from a 1968 model of the same name, which used Shelby pieces on a stock Mustang chassis. The new version will do the same in GT coupe or GT convertible form. Body mods include the GT500-style front spoiler, snazzy racing stripes down the side, and a lower air diffuser on the rear end. Bright dual exhausts and polished 18-inch aluminum wheels are standard; a hood scoop is optional. Stay tuned for more information as TheCarConnection tours the New York auto show.
Scion FUSE Concept Set for New York
2006 Scion FUSE Concept |
Scion, in a brief release on Monday, said that the coupe concept it's bringing to this week's New York auto show will be dubbed the FUSE. The FUSE concept - shown in this teaser shot - will be shown at Wednesday's Scion press conference, which Scion will follow with a video clip on its own Scion.com Web site.
Love Blimps? Name One, Goodyear Says
For our money, the blimp is one of our culture's highest achievements. And Goodyear's fleet of funbags get so much individual attention, they're given a name. Only now, Goodyear is sending out a ship without a name attached - and they want you to supply the tag. The tire maker will run a contest starting tomorrow at www.nametheblimp.com where contestants can suggest their own names for the air machine. The winner, to be chosen by the company on or about June 5, will see their name applied to a giant "Hello My Name Is" tag - some 18 by 12 feet. A christening ceremony in Akron, Ohio, is to follow and the winner will get free use of the blimp for a day. (Awesome! South Carolina, be prepared to have your airspace violated!) Nine other entrants will win Goodyear tires.
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