Saturn to explore clean diesel option
With Saturn doing whatever it can to bring a Euro flavor to its North American lineup, the brand is now looking towards a very European way to save fuel - the use of a modern diesel engine. Saturn boss Jill Lajdziak feels that clean diesel would be a "natural" fit for her products. She's also looking to grow the brand through "conquest sales" (new customers that come from outside the GM family), and with the limited number of diesel passenger-car options currently in the marketplace, this looks to be a very smart way to bring new faces into Saturn dealerships.
Saturn's PreVue concept from earlier this year was shown packing a 212-hp twin-turbo Ecotec diesel, so it seems like an obvious candidate. We'd also love to see a Saturn version of the Opel Astra diesel hybrid concept (pictured above), which combines 125 hp from an oilburner with 95 hp from two electric motors to obtain nearly 60 MPG and a 0-60 MPH time below eight seconds.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jamie 10:39AM (8/15/2006)
Saturn is doing the right thing by distancing itself from mainstream GM products and uploading Opel. Saturn is now the Opel venue we have long waited for in America. Hopefully this will enable Springhill to remain open for business longer as well.
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sz 10:54AM (8/15/2006)
why do septics have the astra now? wtf.
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Owen 10:57AM (8/15/2006)
Jill, don't be such a tease. You know we want it, now if you take it back I'll have automotive blue balls.
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Tri-Bob 10:57AM (8/15/2006)
This may be totally crazy, but I would love a hybrid minivan. I have three kids and we simply don't fit in the Ion together, and have to have something bigger to travel as a family. Nothing would make me happier than Saturn distancing itself from the horrible minivans of GM rebadging hell, by bringing a hybrid minivan that they design.
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Richard Wiggler 10:59AM (8/15/2006)
I have a 99 SL2 which has been a great car. Unfortunately Saturn has not presented me with a good replacement. I wouldnt even consider the ION. A diesel Astra would be a definite consideration for me.
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All World Automotive 11:10AM (8/15/2006)
You may be on to something with the hybrid minivan. I see alot of potential for a vehicle like that. I wonder if anyone with GM or Saturn will read this.
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Steve S 11:20AM (8/15/2006)
What is so amazing is that GM is finally doing something smart. Granted it should have been done 5 years ago but at least they are doing it. Saturn would have a distinct purpose which it so needed in addition to quality products; European styling, no-hassle buying and alternate engine platforms. I say bring it. A diesel Aura would be a great competitor to a TDI Jetta and would probably get over 40mpg.
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Nick 11:29AM (8/15/2006)
How about a hybrid Saturn Outlook? I think there's probably a decent chance for that already.
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Bill 11:29AM (8/15/2006)
#5 I could totally see something like the Opel Zafira or Meriva in the Saturn lineup. Different than a traditional minivan, and would not be huge volume, but there's a niche for that kind of product, and I think it will grow.
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Sean 11:33AM (8/15/2006)
Oh geez, if Saturn had a diesel option that was relatively quick I might actually buy one. Who would have figured that Saturn would be the brand that finally start listening to what consumers want.
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Dr. Woo 11:53AM (8/15/2006)
Now America just needs Europe-grade low-sulfur Diesel fuel.
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UH2L 11:55AM (8/15/2006)
I advocated bringing diesels and the Euro 2.0 L engine, (as well as bringing Opels to compete against VW) 4 years ago when I worked there in Product Planning. I'm glad to see that it might actually happen.
www.thingsivenoticed.com
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dreesemonkey 11:56AM (8/15/2006)
Maybe then ford would get off lazy rears and bring the new focus and diesel over here. I'm all for diesel cars, I'd definitely think of getting one if there were more choices in the market (not a VW fan).
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jim 12:22PM (8/15/2006)
Gawd Damn I hate Saturn's cheap, crappy cars with that sugar-coated, fake-Southern-friends sales/service - but I love diesels so much that I'd hold my nose and come look. ...but I ain't buyin' no cheapo sh_t box!
j i m
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chuck goolsbee 1:17PM (8/15/2006)
Note to Detroit: It is not too late to start selling Diesels. Just look at the high price commanded by USED VWs and Benz' with TDI's and "Oelmotors"... they are >2X what gassers sell for. Hello? Remember your Economics 101 first day of class? Supply/Demand? There is a significant demand for Diesel fueled passenger cars, wake up and smell the alternative fuel exhaust.
--chuck
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Seto 12:17AM (8/16/2006)
i have high hopes for saturn ever since they had decided to use opel products. bringing an affordable and good looking diesel passenger car here will give saturn a big advantage over other brands (be it japanese, european, or even other american brands).
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Sebastian S. 9:59AM (8/16/2006)
At first glance, the pic looks like it could have the body of a Chevy Cobalt. Hopefully Im wrong.
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Alex 11:36AM (10/23/2006)
Biodiesel has been around as long as the diesel engine has been around and any diesel engine can run off of it with no conversions what-so-ever. It is much better for the vehicle and the environment. It is also cheaper to buy and not very difficult to make at home. The diesel engine was designed by a farmer to run off of peanut oil so he could grow his own fuel! Why has it taken so long for this clean diesel to show up? If every diesel engine on the planet today ran off of grease and cooking oils they would get better mileage and last longer and the big oil companies would lose a whole lot of money. Not to mention we will be breathing much better air. to run off of pure grease or pure oil (not biodiesel) some conversions are required to the standard diesel engine, but you can get your fuel for free at any restaurant. I think it's very sad how stingy money hungry people can worsen our health because of their own greed.
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