CreativeVision

How is GMC the "natural" choice for a minivan? You state for multiple other GM brands that they should remain tightly focused and not dilute the brand, and yet you think it is okay for a brand that has always been "Professional Grade" and very much based on strong trucks and brute force to have a family minivan? Wow...that doesn't dilute a brand does it? Sure its still somewhat trucky in a sense, but come on! The only natural place for a minivan in GM's lineup would be Chevy and Saturn of yesteryear(as they mature and head toward a European presence, it doesn't fit anymore). I could see the argument for Buick as they are trying to attract younger buyers now, but it still doesn't seem to fit the reality of who actually buys Buicks.

How the heck did I miss that...I'm an Autoweek subscriber!! Thanks!

Anything new on the horizon for Subaru due out in the next year? I'll be in buyer mode soon and curious what they will have to offer when I am looking. Currently likethe Forester and Legacy, but hate to purhase an ld body style if a newer one is right around the corner.

By greenhouse one usually is referring to the glass and not a door outline. They may not be exact sheetmetal siblings, but these are very similar cars. The gas tank filler door is positioned the same, only the new spy car has larger fender flares encompassing a bit of the filler door. Both have similar body lines near the bottom of the door sills and even the zebra tape at the rear qtr window ends just at the front edge of the rear door handle, suggesting they are similar sized greenhouses. I'm sure your correct in saying they are different bodies...I just don't think they are going to be different enough for GM to get over the rebadge stigma.

This thread has gone on forever it seems and it would appear the most obvious and logical answer all along is that this is merely an Aura rebadge for Chevy. I know a few have said it...I don't understand why some still can't get over themselves and see the same. Epsilon platform, LWB is why it appears so big. Same greenhouse as Aura, similar shaped headlights, and shoulder line. I would put money on this being a new Malibu showing in Chicago in February. And it will look just like an Aura with a Chevy grill and round taillights.

Even if they just made the inner housings body color instead of blacked out, that would make it a bit more sporty. I'm really interested in the RL, but fear it will push it out of my budgeted price range and/or show up too late for my anticipated trade in time. Wish I knew more about it...

I find it somewhat interesting that there is no spoiler for the Aura. I wouldn't want anything crazy, but a nice lip spoiler is always a classy touch and would aid the 'European' feel like that of an Audi/BMW/etc... Maybe they are reserving it for the Red line version along with more aggressive fascias.

Am I missing something??? Oh Yeah...like the article that this topic was started for?

Uhh...I'm not in marketing or part of GM, but as a potential buyer of this vehicle I don't think it is necessarily intended for soccer moms. That's what minivans and crossovers are for. With the European-esque design, muscular "shoulders" and wheel arches, and the aforementioned 'tap' shifters, this is more about the guys than the ladies. I'm perfectly happy that my wife wants to continue buying SUVs like her current Envoy. It leaves me the ability to purchase a cool 4-dr sedan that not only can haul my family comfortably on long trips, but haul ass when I am alone and want to carve some corners. Is there a way for common folk like me to voice and opinion about her in a way that we can all begin to boycott and/or ban her from writing? I haven't read many of their articles, but enough to make me wonder who really pays her salary. The paper or some of the automotive manufacturers.

'thegriffon': thanks for the link. Looks like Bronze Pewter will not allow metallic trim with the tan interior. I'm torn on the black...I've never had a black interior and worry about heat discoloration, burning myself from the sun, and closing in the interior on me... Wonder if I can bribe the dealership into a swap

I'm really liking the Bronzed Pewter the best so far. The Red is nice but I have a dark red car now and need a change. I'm concerned over the trunk opening. With a young child, I need to be able to load in a stroller and other stuff easily. I fear I'll have the top of the bumper all marked up and/or not even get the items into the opening. I also still don't like the guages and guage surround very much. As someone said, I find them to be too small and the ribbed pattern does look cheap and boring. Also it does not appear the Saturn website is correct or complete yet. When I try to build an Aura, no matter what exterior color I choose, there is no option for Tan or Gray interior. Yet of all the pictures we've seen and the ones I saw in person here, that is all that is shown. With the Bronze Pewter exterior, the only interior I would want is the tan or the 2-tone shown in the pictures. However I want the metallic trim. I can't seem to find any info though on if the metallic trim is privy to only certain interior colrs, certain trim level, or up to the buyer?

First and foremost...Thanks for the pictures and all the work you wnet thru to take them and provide them to the readers of C&G. Also great write up about the Aura. I would like to point out though that I believe you may have the Golden Cashmere and Bronze Pewter listed under the wrong pictures...Bronzed Pewter according to the Saturn website is the darker of the two. Now I wonder if I could get the Metallic trim with the Bronze Pewter exterior...

Woohoo...let the countdown begin. No pressure though! :-)

Is the Bronzed Pewter similar to what the last gen Grand Prix had?

Went to my local dealer today to take a look in person and they had only XE models in Black and silver. They did have what appears to be an Ocean Mist in the showroom, but being Sunday they were closed so I couldn't get a good look in natural light. It looks like a silver with a light blue pearl in it. Could be nice, but might come off a little more feminine for my tastes. Have to see it more and get a good walk around in the daylight. The 3 outside all had the silver metallic interior and two-tone black and gray seating...all cloth.

Bronzed Pewter would be my first request...but Silver Pearl and Berry Red are nice alternatives to what we've seen thus far.

Looking to see some better pics of the Aura colors. The website shows them, but they are too small to really see the color clear. If you have real-life pics that would be best. My local dealer doesn't have anything too exciting just black white and blue. Would like to see the Ocean Mist and Bronzed Pewter...

The most important thing that I would like to know is how much rear legroom and overall interior space there is? I am assuming similar to a Malibu and G6 to due being platform mates, of which I have sat in both at recent auto shows. I was astonished at how much rear legroom especially there appeared to be even though the car itself(G6/Malibu) seemed relatively small/mid car sized. I wasn't expected to be so roomy. I'm not particular tall, just 5'11", but I have had a hard time finding a car that I can sit in the front comfortably(legs not bent for example), and yet allow ample rear seat room for someone of equal height sit directly behind me.

Not sure if this is the proper forum for this question, but where are the various GM locations in the US? More specifically do they have an office or something in Traverse City, MI? On the recently added Camaro production announcement topic from the homepage, there was a GM newsletter with information on it's release and I noticed that it said Traverse City, MI near the beginning of the main article. My wife's family, and her and I, have all considered moving out near that area, but were concerned over what work would be available. Of all the years we've traveled to Traverse(from Chicago), none of us knew there was anything GM related in the area. Can anyone confirm? Thanks!

One more thing I need to add after looking at the photos a bit more...the foglights are WAAAAYYY too small on that front end. They look out of place alognside the Huge headlights and big chrome grill bar. Just seems like they should have had more presence given the other attributes of the front end. ...The tailpipe tips are too puny as well, especially for a so-called "sports sedan". I also am also not a fan of the trunk opening. Seems extremely small and high for getting large packages in the car. I can see that rear bumper getting marred up quick. Maybe I just need to see it in person to pass judgment. However I do like that the pass thru from trunk to interior compartment is a full rectanlge versus some of the more rounded off styles I've seen in the past, just wish there was a better way to deal with that middle shoulder-style seat belt attached to the seat.

The Autoweek article did provide some positive comments, but mind you they were driving a prototype Aura, not a full-production model. Here are some of the things worth noting... "Finally merits comparison with the competition"...[Accord and Camry]. They apparently liked the interior and thought everything "from the embossed 'Moroccan brown' leather to the cast-skin dash top to the console mounted shifter, most everything the eye sees and the finger touches is up to snuff". And they continue to say it "surpasses expectations inside the cabin". They do call out the fact that it is not as sporty looking as the concept, but we all already knew that. Along with the interior looks, they said it is quiet, had nice rear seat room thanks to the longer wheelbase as used on the Malibu Maxx. And handling was more european feeling like that of a Saab. Supposedly the car was originally intended for introduction in July(rather than Fall), but Jill Lajdziak(Saturn General Manager) didn't like the armrest/console storage-bin assembly. Autoweek stated that the delay was not just due to the console, but because of Saturn's "general philosophy this car has to be right from the outset". Based on standard equipment, costs, and fuel mileage, the Aura is very close in nature to the Accord and Camry. They go on to say, "Aura launches smartly from a stop with sharp upshifts from the new transmission that pleased our drivers who approached it as a sporty sedan, but annoyed those who sought the silky smoothness of Camry". Next spring will bring the 4-cyl Aura Hybrid, but there was no mention of when the Red Line would be available. Overall they seemed to be very pleased with it and do expect it to sell well. Can't wait to see some in person and see what the press will have to say after a longer period of time with a full production model.

Bonneville?!?! Wasn't this discontinued? Why did I think they no longer made them? And are you assuming Trailblazer and Envoy are going to be dropped because of the Acadia? If so I asked this question a few months ago in another Thread and everyone thought I was incorrect and that only the XL versions would go away...

Any insight on the Aura Red Line. I am expecting possible release next Fall maybe? Any details...special appearance enhancements, 270+HP and AWD for around 30-35K perhaps?

Autoweek already had a blurp about this in one of the most recent issues. They noted Hyundai was considering spawning off an upper line of cars (ie. Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti, etc...). Another option was to purchase Jaguar to give them a simialr marketplace spot. Since we know they are building a larger than Azera RWD V8, and the Azera itself is now over the $30,000 mark for the first time in company history, this doesn't seem inconceivable. I haven't been following Jaguar in great detail, but Ford really didn't do much in my opinion to keep it alive. If they are doing as bad as it sounds like folks here are suggesting, Hyundai might be able to get them relatively cheap. However, the thought of a korean company trying to maintain a British heritage is almost as laughable as a Chinese company trying to do it(Cough: MG :Cough)

You know what I really hate...the way the headlights bug out farther than the fenders. Look at the pics from Leftlane.com that were recently added to this thread(pg 6 I think). The Pontiac Grand Prix is like this and it is one of those visual things from the right angle that make me dislike the entore car. Why do automakers design them this way? Jason