Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Saturn
Chicago Auto Show: The 2008 Saturn Vue Red Line shows its face
click above image to view live shots of the 2008 Saturn Red Line
Admittedly, hot-rodded cute-utes mystify many of us, but the kids seem to love 'em, and the Red Line version of Saturn's 2008 Vue should satisfy those looking for a combination of practicality and power.
We're sure that some Saturn fans were not happy with the inclusion of Honda power in the previous Vue RL, and they can take comfort in the fact that the "foreign" drivetrain has been replaced with the General's own High Feature DOHC V6 and six-speed automatic. Front wheel drive is standard, while those looking to route those 250 ponies via additional paths can opt for AWD.
The front fascia receives special Red Line attention, and out back, two large rectangular exhaust tips remind followers that they're not behind a garden-variety Vue. Inside, the RL gets an exclusive Ebony color scheme, along with suede inserts on the seating surfaces to keep butts properly planted when exploring the limits of the lowered suspension and fat wheel/tire package.
Mike from ABG made the comment that this is a bit like a poor man's BMW X3, and we'd have to agree with that statement.
Check out the gallery for additional shots of the Vue Red Line followed by the official press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Saturn VUE Red Line
PRESS RELEASE:
SATURN DEBUTS 2008 VUE RED LINE AND GREEN LINE HYBRID
Specialized Models Provide Bold Looks, Performance Tuning, Fuel Savings and Value
CHICAGO – Saturn announced two new variants of the completely redesigned 2008 Vue crossover utility at the Chicago Auto Show: the performance-tuned Red Line and the affordable, fuel-saving Green Line hybrid.
The Red Line builds on the new Vue's bold styling with an aggressive front-end design, including a large, lower air opening and projector beam fog lamps. The rear of the vehicle features a special fascia, spoiler and chrome exhaust tips. A lowered suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and Red Line badges complete the performance-inspired appearance.
From a performance perspective, the Red Line comes with standard tap up/tap down transmission control and sport-tuned ride and handling. It is powered by a dual overhead cam 3.6L V-6 VVT engine that delivers 250 horsepower (186 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 243 lb.-ft. (329 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Vue Red Line will be available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Interior modifications include a Red Line-only Ebony interior, including black leather sport seats with suede fabric inserts. The vehicle also features Red Line-logo instrument cluster graphics and embroidered floor mats.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CaliberSRT4 2:34PM (2/07/2007)
What's up with the big emergency flasher button on the dash? It stands out more than the dash! I noticed they stopped putting them on the steering wheel. Anyways the new Red Line looks pretty good, not as SUV-ish as the current one though.
Reply
PJ 3:06PM (2/07/2007)
It's got the stance and facial features of a perturbed Pug. I can't get over how Korean this vehicle looks, given that the prev-gen Red Line was strikingly attractive.
Otherwise, seems like a solid product. At the standard '08 VUE's reveal, I was surprised to find tighter panel fit and more soft-touch surfaces than in the RAV4's cabin. The 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed auto are a world-class powertrain, too.
Reply
dis_guy 3:40PM (2/07/2007)
What is that button under the arm rest, above the hand brake for?
Reply
Joel 3:42PM (2/07/2007)
I'd buy it... with a stick
Reply
Michael Karesh 3:50PM (2/07/2007)
I agree, it does somehow look Korean. Perhaps similar to the unrelated Kia Rio.
I think they're going to have trouble with the styling because it looks much smaller than it is, almost like a toy. I'm not sure many people want an SUV that looks like a toy.
Reply
Nellydesign 3:55PM (2/07/2007)
No, that front facia isn't over done at all...
One question... does it suck up errant bits of garbage as it cruises down the freeway?
Sorry but this is the worst of the Opel imports. The others are great but this looks... awkward. I think the korean comparisons have some merit. The rear looks just like a Suzuki.
Reply
curtisinasia 4:22PM (2/07/2007)
What about the two different color/materials used for the front seats.
Reply
Nick 5:30PM (2/07/2007)
Holy crap! Rear disc brakes! The last red line did NOT have them.
Reply
Howard Kerr 5:35PM (2/07/2007)
Not bad, but the pictures make it look to be about the size of a Suzuki SX4.
The interior is kind of nice, though I don't care for the "3 tone" effect of using charcoal, grey, and chrome. Either use no chrome on the shift surround and on the door panels...but use grey plastic, or ditch the grey plastic.
Reply
Tom Parris 6:46PM (2/07/2007)
"We're sure that some Saturn fans were not happy with the inclusion of Honda power in the previous Vue RL, and they can take comfort in the fact that the "foreign" drivetrain has been replaced with the General's own.."
Actually, that's [Honda V6] the reason a lot of buyers bought the original VUE RL. It wasn't a GM V6!
Will reserve final judgement on the RL and the other new VUEs until I see them in person. Pictures did not do the Outlook any good (what's with GM's use of ugly powder blue cars on cloudy days for photography?!?) but I like it in person.
Reply
andreanicks 7:00PM (8/14/2007)
I absolutely agree. I own a 2007 Vue V6 FWD and the main reason I chose it was for the Honda engine. Too bad for all the 2008ers.
Jim 7:15PM (2/07/2007)
"a bit like a poor man's BMW X3"
Why do we have to say the lower price option is the "poor man's..." I hate that phrase. It implies that all of us will choose to spend as much as we can possibly afford on a car. Maybe some of us like cars, but have other priorities, too. Would you say it's fair to assume all of us would pay 53% more for a car with maybe 10% better performance? I know it's 'just a phrase', but think about it.
The current X3 with sport package is about $43,000. The current Red Line Vue is $28,000, and this one will probably be about that, too. Given that the Vue is about 90% the performance for 65% the price... maybe we should call it the sensible choice.
Making poor money choices is how the poor man stays poor. Even if he drives a BMW and tries to look rich.
Reply
NoNameDenton 11:16PM (2/07/2007)
I would prefer something that made this a more performance oriented machine, some forced induction or a slightly larger engine, not just a slight modifoed Vue XR
Reply
Fabulo 12:06AM (2/08/2007)
8. Holy crap! Rear disc brakes! The last red line did NOT have them.
I second that comment!
The Honda V6 was available in all v6 trims in the previous gens, not just the Red Line. And it was a strong argument for this model to be sold. I even considered by proxy for my wife.
Compare the platform sibling Chevy Equinox/Pontiac Torrent that have a delightful 3.4 for 185 hp, 210 lb/ft torque. And probably a surprising amount of NVH with that.
At least, the 3.6 is the high feature engine, with OHC and is said to be very smooth. (it's the base engine in the CTS and some Buicks I believe. If it's good enough for Cadillac, it's good enough for Saturn. And Chevy. And Pontiac. GMC too. Come to think of it, 3.6 OHC High Feature all around for everyone!
Reply
NoNameDenton 12:38AM (2/08/2007)
Persnally I prefer the OHV engines to the OHC engines, but I must say the 3.6 dohc engine from GM is a wonderful engine when I tested it out
Reply
Phil 12:04PM (2/08/2007)
At first I thought it was two different colors but that's just a spotlight making it look that way!!
This one definitely need better looks, but it looks more like Acura RDX than the Koreans. That may bode well for Saturn because of Acura's $34K price tag.
Reply
NoNameDenton 9:49PM (2/08/2007)
Eurpoean intake of the new Vue Red Line, off the Auto Car website in the U.K., they get a different turbo engine
Antara in line for VXR treatment
Vauxhall's inclusive policy on performance cars will be underlined later this year when it takes the wraps off a turbocharged version of its new Antara 4x4. According to sources within General Motors this butch-looking SUV, the new Saturn Vue Redline, looks so much like the hot Antara that it might as well be wearing VXR badges.
This Saturn Vue Redline was unveiled this week at the Chicago motor show. GM has lavished styling changes on it, including beefed-up bumpers, wheelarch flares, chunkier protective side mouldings and twin chromed tail pipes.
Underneath goes a lowered suspension set-up with unique five-spoke, 18in alloys and more road-biased tyres than on standard versions of the RAV4-rivalling 4x4. While the North American market-only Vue Redline runs a 3.6-litre V6, Autocar sources suggest the UK's VXR version will get the more powerful 276bhp 2.8-litre turbocharged V6, as used in the seriously rapid Vectra VXR.
Vauxhall's blanket policy on VXR models has attracted the interest of industry critics particularly because it is responsible for unlikely, slow-selling tarmac-muggers like the Zafira and Meriva VXR. Like them, the Antara VXR will have few natural rivals when it goes on sale in early 2008 - especially since Chrysler has yet to commit to making a hot version of the Dodge Nitro, potentially badged SRT-6.
Reply
internecio 11:55AM (2/12/2007)
I love this suv based in a daewoo windstorm
Reply
BobbyP 12:55AM (2/15/2007)
VUE owners are sad to see the Honda V6 leave. Many VUE owners never would have bought their VUE's if it had a GM V6. It was a perfect combination, a Saturn polymer body and a Honda powertrain. The Honda J35 V6 was the best thing ever to happen to the VUE. No V6 is as smooth, powerful, or efficient as this engine.
Reply
Jim 8:21PM (4/22/2007)
The Saturn Vue takes alot of cues from the new Honda CR-V. I like the CR-V styling and I am sure I will like the 2008 VUe. I prefer an American car and Saturns have been known for Quality. I leased an SL-2 back in 96 NEVER had aproblem through the lease period. I think NO I know GM has a hit with the NEW 2008 VUE, Outlook and Aura Saturn has made a come back. Let's stop being nit picky and give the American Auto Makers a chance.
Reply