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UPDATE: The 2009 GMC Terrain will be a new, Jeep Liberty-sized vehicle and not the Middle East version with the same name shown above. Details here.

With the Torrent dropped from Pontiac's long-term plans as the brand returns its focus to performance-oriented cars, GM appears to already know how and where it'll replace the small crossover. The answer was apparently unveiled back in November when GMC introduced the Terrain in Kuwait. Like the Saturn Vue, the GMC Terrain is essentially a badge-engineered Opel Antara; and it's reportedly coming to the US, according to an Automotive News report that's set to hit the wires tomorrow. Due as a 2009 model, the Terrain will be GMC's first foray into the compact SUV CUV segment. As you can see above, the division's branding looks right at home on the Vue/Antara bodywork. The long-in-the-tooth Chevy Equinox can't be hanging around much longer, either, and while GM has denied plans to do so in the past, we've got to believe the Chevy Captiva version of the Antara is waiting in the wings to carry the Equinox moniker forward. At least we hope that's the case.

[Source: All Cars All The Time]

While we were pretty sure GM would grace Detroit with the Opel Antara and Holden Efijy, we didn't expect the WTCC, the T2X... and Carmen Electra. But GM announced this week all five would be in icy, snow-bound Michigan next month.

As you well know, the Antara will be the new Saturn Vue and the WTCC and T2X hint at future Chevrolet style. So where does the sumptious Efijy fit into GM's North American plan? GM's press release announcing the North American debut of these concepts doesn't give any indication where in Cobo Hall the Efijy will be displayed. If we had to guess, the Efijy's Corvette V8 would score it a parking spot in the Chevrolet booth. But that's nothing more than pure speculation.

As for Carmen Electra, she and Mario Lopez will be there to give the whole GM stand an air of celebrity. Or something.

Read GM's entire press release after the jump.

In his latest blog post, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz talks about Saturn. And more specifically, the new Saturn Vue. Bob tells us that the new CUV will launch at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. The PreVue concept that was shown in New York in April was a good preview (pun definitely intended), but even better was seeing the Opel Antara at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Just like the Saturn Aura, itself a mildly reworked corporate cousin from Opel, there are high hopes for the new Vue. The Aura sedan has apparently been getting terrific reviews besides our own. And knowing that, Saturn is relying on another solid starting point in the Antara, although Lutz assures us the Vue "will remain Saturn, through and through." Well, if the new definition of a Saturn is a wonderful badge-engineered vehicle that smartly meets the needs of buyers and enthusiasts, then yes. Follow the jump for a pic of the PreVue and more of the story.

[Source: GM FastLane Blog]

Most of you know by now that the Opel Antara will become the new Saturn Vue, and based on spy shots showing it mostly naked, GM has wisely chosen to leave the Opel design intact. The model change comes not a moment too soon, as the current Vue's styling looks very dated when placed alongside the all-new Saturns it currently shares (or will soon share) floorspace with at dealerships.

So, what should we expect once the replacement arrives? The two attached promo videos from Opel show that the plucky (but somewhat homely-faced) Vue is set to mature into quite an attractive little SUV/CUV -- one that'll look right at home next to Aura, Sky, and Outlook in the local Saturn store, and be more than able to handle the daily driving duties most American buyers will demand of it. Cross your fingers and hope that GM's 3.6L V6 will be available as an option and that cool features like FlexFix aren't ditched as part of the car's Saturnization.

(Second video after the jump)

[Source: YouTube]

A few months ago, we told you about the FlexFix integrated bicycle rack in the new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. It's an ingenious little contraption. The FlexFix system is essentially a drawer that can be pulled out from the car's rear bumper. On it are two wheel-mount bike racks, an extra rear license plate, and supplemental brake lights. When not in use, you wouldn't even know the system was there if not for the drawer cutout. It's the kind of killer innovation that's been sorely lacking from the American automakers for some time.

Now, GM Europe has just announced that the FlexFix system will be offered on the new Opel Antara crossover. Some of you may be asking, "And we care because?"

We care because the Opel Antara and the 2008 Saturn Vue are fundamentally the same vehicle, meaning we're about to see just how serious GM is when it comes to offering American customers the good stuff from Europe. This FlexFix system is exactly the kind of thing we've been missing here for far too long. Simple and brilliant, if it's not an available option on the next Vue, we are going to be very, very disappointed. Don't cheap out on us, General. We're your bread and butter, and we want the good stuff, too.

(More photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: Opel via Kicking Tires]

The KGP Photography folks went trigger happy when they spotted versions of the 2008 Saturn Vue testing in Death Valley and snapped not only the standard version, but also the hot Vue Red Line, as well. Both models clearly carry the shape of the Opel Antara currently being sold in Europe, but we're told the Saturn versions will carry very distinct front fascias. The Vue Red Line also sports a deep front air dam with embedded projector beam fog lights and larger wheels.

Edmunds is reporting that the Honda-sourced 250-hp, 3.5-liter V6 currently being used in the Vue will likely be replaced by GM's own 3.6-liter V6 slated for use in the larger Outlook and detuned for duty in the Vue. We should expect the world premier of the new Vue to happen at the L.A. auto show later this year.

Follow the link to see more pics and video footage of the 2008 Saturn Vue in Death Valley.

[Source: Edmunds]

Considering that the recently unveiled production version of the Opel Antara will likely become the next Saturn Vue sometime between 2008 and 2009, we thought you might want to see it from all angles, including the interior. You can check out the specs in our post from yesterday, or check out GM Europe's full press release after the jump along with a few more official pics.

[Source: GM Europe]

General Motors' Opel division disclosed Wednesday that its new Antara crossover will start at nearly $34,000 when it launches in the German market later this year after a debut at the Paris auto show in September.

Unlike the three-door GTC concept shown above, the production version (first glimpse at right) will debut in a five-door/five-seat configuration.

The starting price buys you the basic 2.4-liter model, but most buyers will probably opt for the 2-liter turbodiesel. The 3.2-liter V6 version would probably be the top seller in the U.S. market if GM's Saturn division decides to add the crossover to its lineup. All engines are transversely mounted, and electronically-controlled AWD is standard. Manual and automatic transmissions are offered for the four-cylinder models - the V6 is available only with the automatic.

The Antara concept received its second unveiling in January at the New York International Auto Show, where  Saturn displayed a rebadged version as its PreVue concept. We're betting that a Saturn version of the Antara will reach the U.S. in the 2007-2008 timeframe.

[Source: GM]

Once again, press embargoes prove as effective at controlling new-car information leaks on the web as the proverbial screen door in a submarine. In any event, Saturn's pre-show shots of the PreVue crossover concept are everywhere on the 'net today, so rather than make you hunt for them, here they are.

The PreVue is a glimpse of a possible future design direction for the Saturn brand as it tries to broaden its appeal to include sportier vehicles. Sharp-eyed readers will recognize the PreVue as a rebadged Opel Antara GTC concept (see picture after the jump) from last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, more evidence, if any were needed, of General Motors' shotgun wedding of the two brands. Not that this is a bad thing - Opel's Antara was one of our favorites in Frankfurt.

The concept car is powered by a transverse-mounted, twin-turbo Ecotec diesel, putting out 212 hp (156 kw) through a six-speed automatic.

We'll have plenty of photos of the real deal, and full specs, in our NYIAS coverage. Meanwhile, check out our coverage of the Opel Antara debut here.

[Source: Cheers and Gears]