Spy Shots: 2008 Saturn VUE naked
We showed you spy shots of the 2008 Saturn VUE earlier in the week, but that mule's shape was paritally obscured by a few rolls of black tape. Today we have shots of a VUE sans tape undergoing testing for water leaks that gives a crystal clear view of what the next VUE will look like. LeftLaneNews calls it a 2007 model, but we're betting the new VUE will actually be a 2008 model considering the current VUE is already listed on Saturn's website as a 2007 model. Clearly Saturn's new small CUV is a direct port of the Opel Antara that's about go on sale overseas. There it's motivated by a 224-hp, 3.2-liter V6 and a 141-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, as well as a 150-hp, 2.0-liter diesel engine that's not long for these parts. [Source: LeftLaneNews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sk 3:46PM (9/22/2006)
What's up with all that black cheap looking plastic.
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Ino Best 3:54PM (9/22/2006)
I like it............a lot.
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kowell 4:17PM (9/22/2006)
I see a Kia Rio5's ass
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Tom t. 4:31PM (9/22/2006)
The black trim around the wheel wells makes the wheels/tires look extremely small and out of place. I've looked at it a few times and can't get over that.
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PJ 5:04PM (9/22/2006)
I've never seen such a Korean-looking American car. Its proportions and rear fascia are strikingly similar to Hyundai's Tucson.
With any luck, it'll exhibit their levels of interior quality, too.
I'm tempted to shake my head at this one, since the '04-'05 VUE was one of the more attractive compact SUVs on the market. But with buyers more conscious of fuel economy, maybe a little downsizing will do it good.
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JB 5:04PM (9/22/2006)
I like the black plastic - better for chip and scrapes than painted fascias. The monochrome look is getting old for me.
That being said - Grrrr! Why is there a fender vent? Are we going to see these things on everything now? If it doesn't do anything, it should not be there.
It's not like the old Turbo Trans Am with the hood vent that held the turbo boost lights - that was cool.
At least it looks like an evolution of the design, not a retro copy of something. It has a bit of Nissan Quest in the back end, and does look Hyundai-ish, with those fascia reflectors - they are sure to get broken when the fascia flexes.
Overall, the Vue needed something done - this isn't too bad.
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Aki 5:31PM (9/22/2006)
I like it, a lot.
The black is there for that rugged look--you know, since they're supposed to be outdoors (but prob none of them would be used that way).
I like where Wagoner/Lutz are taking the Saturn line so far. The Opel migration is a great idea. Now if only Ford could do the same w/ Euro Ford...
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MattB 5:17PM (9/22/2006)
What's with the TINY headlights?
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Speed42 5:20PM (9/22/2006)
Did they leave it in the sun too long? It looks melted. Seriously. Both front and back bumpers sag, the taillights droop, even the back glass slopes.
And I'm with JB on the fender vent. Just because Land Rover and Jaguar did it, doesn't mean it looks good on a Saturn. Leave the fake vents to Oldsmobile, PAG and overdone Mustang variants.
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Renaldo B 5:49PM (9/22/2006)
This little pucker is going to sell like hotcakes, The black bumpers are rubberized and will not chip when you bump curbs and such. Looks to be plenty peppy also, I'll take one Saturn, need a test driver for a year or two?
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Scott 5:48PM (9/22/2006)
eww. My favorite Vue's are still the first gen RedLines. Bring back decent styling.
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Fabulo 6:18PM (9/22/2006)
It's totally lost its edge in styling. Now it's yet another blob-CUV-softroader. RAV4CRVEDGE-ish. Wow.
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Dave 6:58PM (9/22/2006)
While I realize this is just a rebadged Opel model, this isn't what the Prevue turned into, is it? The Prevue was a beautiful concept, and this is just, eh, not bad.
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Aki 8:50PM (9/22/2006)
Great looking little SUV, anyone find fault with this car is just looking for something to find fault with. This SUV is going to sell, it looks better than anything in it's class.
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JW 9:36PM (9/22/2006)
I like the current Vue better....its all squared off unlike the compitetion...the new one is more or less looking like its a "Chick car." I will have to wait till it hits the streets to make a real judgment.
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Jer 8:44PM (9/22/2006)
Am I the only one who's wondering where the hell there's a $1 car wash?
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Bob 9:10PM (9/22/2006)
First, I completely agree - this car look so Korean. And like someone stretched a Rio5. I like it!
Secondly, anyone who thinks *any* of the previous Vues were even remotely attractive needs to have their head examined.
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Seto 12:27AM (9/23/2006)
the most promising brand from gm is now saturn.
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Jason 2:43AM (9/23/2006)
Totally Korean looking, with a droopy and saggy butt. And the rear lights are a copy of the Acura RL. Very disappointed. The original one was blunt-nose buck-tooth ugly, and now this one looks soft soft soft.
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sk 8:28AM (9/23/2006)
"#6. I like the black plastic - better for chip and scrapes than painted fascias.
I have had several cars with painted bumpers and never had a problem with chipping paint. It just looks so 90's and unfinished.I guess the next overhaul in 2011 will have painted bumpers to attract new buyers just like the 2005 to 06 upgrade.
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