Aura hits the pages of Motor Trend

[Bimmer325]

Aura hits the pages of Motor Trend

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Part of Saturn's "Like Always. Like Never Before" ad campaign, the three-page spread features a Golden Cashmere Aura XR. The Sky and VUE Green Line are also featured, though it's safe to say Saturn's midsizer steals the spotlight. The ad elaborates on the theme that commenced with Saturn's latest T.V. commercials, and more importantly, it proves that GM's initial press-photography failed to capture the Aura's essense. Judge for yourself.

Our Take: Look closely, that's the car some have dismissed as a Sebring knockoff.

As seen on page 15 of this month's MT:

[regfootball]

saturn's new ad campaign is awesome.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

A lot of GM's new ads are good, if not great.

[Dsuupr]

I think it looks beautiful.

[Drew Dowdell]

pick another color GM.

[Croc]

pick another color GM.

170546[/snapback]

Other than sharing the same criticism, the ad is pretty good. The color of the AURA makes it rather forgettable though.

[jbartley]

the current AURA color palate is a little dull, it needs some BRIGHT colors, like cobalt blue and some electric red.

[CSpec]

The exterior looks really good here, but the interior is a major letdown IMO.

EDIT: does anyone see an ever-so-slight Camry resemblance the way the hood crease runs into the Saturn bucktooth grill?

[Bimmer325]

I can't wait to see pictures of an interior with aluminum trim in place of that awful plood.

[VenSeattle]

I just want to see the production vehicle in person. I really don't think the wood is going to look that bad... however, I do agree with you Bimmer that the aluminum trim will look better on the Aura, if only that it more inline with Aura's image.

[HarleyEarl]

The whole plastic wood thing in Saturn interiors just leaves me cold. It seems to go against the new image they are trying convey. When I saw all that hideous fake wood in the Outlook, I just couldn't believe my eyes.

[Bimmer325]

I just want to see the production vehicle in person. I really don't think the wood is going to look that bad... however, I do agree with you Bimmer that the aluminum trim will look better on the Aura, if only that it more inline with Aura's image.

170730[/snapback]

The good news is that the Aura looks far better in person than it does in any GM-released image.

The bad news is that the wood trim is terribly unconvincing in person and has a plasticky, high-gloss finish. The fact that there's so much of it is the interior's biggest flaw.

According to Saturn, the wood trim will ONLY be available on XR models with black interiors. Why it was featured with the Morocco Brown Leather upon debut is beyond me.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

The wheel flares look less subtracted in that photo and just as agressive as the concept's.

The Aura really is a great car.

[ToniCipriani]

pick another color GM.

170546[/snapback]

I actually think the other way round. Despite that's the most common rental-grade paint, it actually works on some cars, especially sedans. And this one is an example where it works. Looks elegant.

BTW, anyone thing that front reminds a lot of a Cobalt?

[Flybrian]

EDIT: does anyone see an ever-so-slight Camry resemblance the way the hood crease runs into the Saturn bucktooth grill?

170668[/snapback]

Only if you completely ignore the 2007 Camry's EuroCAP-friendly blunted nose. Note from a lower front profile angle, the Camry is very upright, almost appearing to project further ahead towards the crown of the grille. The Aura looks so much better in this regard.

[Paolino]

Dang... the ad says "Build yours at Saturn.com" but it's not available yet for the Aura.

[Northstar]

Dang... the ad says "Build yours at Saturn.com" but it's not available yet for the Aura.

170827[/snapback]

Maybe that means it will be up in August (since that's when the magazines are supposed to hit the shelves, I think), but it seems that MT has shipped out the September issues a bit early, and people already have them.

As for the Aura, I think it looks really good, and an all-black interior with paluminum trim should actually look pretty good, I think.

[pontiac1]

stunning. i still cant believe its a saturn!

[titan]

Beautiful car. Can't wait to test drive it.

[titan]

Dang... the ad says "Build yours at Saturn.com" but it's not available yet for the Aura.

170827[/snapback]

That's exactly what I said! I'm itching to build this car.

[BlkHhr104]

Hmm no sunroof??? .... but it looks awsome, but the way the fenders come to a point it kinda has a Cobalt vibe to it, but still looks great.