opel astra becoming saturn astra

[dallasmanta]

just recieved the new car and driver (may 07) and on page 50 is a picture of an opel Astra that will be comming to america with a 140hp 4 cylinder 1.8L. They will be built in Belgium along the opel line and imported to the USA as a saturn Astra check it out Ron

[Dan-MI]

GM says it should be available late this year, probably December.

[BQS4]

They had the Saturn Astra at the Atlanta Int'l Auto Show about 2 weeks ago.

[dallasmanta]

so How did it look? was it stripped down like the euro versions or did it have the toys the Jap cars have on them like power windows, locks A/C etc. Did you happen to get a picture or two that you can post? Ron

[BQS4]

I didn't get a picture, but, my nephew Tony (phoenix) did. As for what it had, it looked nicely equipped.

[Anonymous D]

There was a lineup of the soon-to-be-Saturns
at the Palm Springs Event a couple months ago.
One interesting feature, is a very tall windshield
that reaches back to something like a moonroof
(with an interior shade device). Another is
more like a convertible hardtop (pictured).

[2 Fast 4 U]

Originally Posted by Anonymous D Another is more like a convertible hardtop (pictured).

That is the Opel Astra Twin Top [that is what it's called here in Europe]

[OpelGT-de]

Originally Posted by Anonymous D There was a lineup of the soon-to-be-Saturns at the Palm Springs Event a couple months ago. One interesting feature, is a very tall windshield that reaches back to something like a moonroof (with an interior shade device). Another is more like a convertible hardtop (pictured).

The Tall windshield is called "Panorama Windshield", evailable in Europe for Astra 3-door hatch.





The car on your pic (made at the Astra MCE press launch in Palm Springs) is just the "plain" Convertible version.

[manta73wi]

I posted these pics of of the 2008 Saturn Astra which came from the Saturn Press Kit. No panarama windshield or TwinTop are being offered yet, but the 5 door Astra can be ordered with a dual panel sun/moon roof as seen on the silver car.

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/opels-m...c-concept.html

Interior equipment being listed includes standard 6 speaker AM/FM/CD with opitonal 7 speaker/multidisk/MP3 features, 6 airbags, power locks & windows, available heated seats, available leather seats, steering wheel with rake and telescopic features, sport seats on the 3 door, and 12 volt power outlet.

-Jeff W
'75, '74, & '73 Manta

[Dan-MI]

The Detroit Free Press had an article in today's edition on the Astra. Here is the link MARK PHELAN: Astra a new star for Saturn

[Bill Hoffmann]

Originally Posted by Dan-MI The Detroit Free Press had an article in today's edition on the Astra.[/url]

I also drove the Astra with that 1.9 CDTI engine and manual transmission in Germany and Austria in the fall of '06. It's a great combination at both city and highway speeds. I do think there will be a market for that combination over here once people get in one and drive it.