2005 Saturn Aura Concept

Rüsselsheims Finest are Closer than We Think

Plastic polycarbonate panels, practical four-door coupes and very friendly sales associates. Sound familiar? Its Saturn, General Motors answer to the imports. A product of the late 1980s, Saturns cars were the kind of vehicles that GM hoped people shopping for a Honda or Toyota would buy, but the import buyer never really caught on.

What started out with a bang, sputtered and stalled quite quickly. Saturns once-fresh products became stale against the more advanced competition. Even with the introduction of the midsize L model (for customers who had grown out of their smaller SLs) that came along in the late 90s and the affordable VUE SUV, now only a few years old, the company never regained the ground it lost.

To save Saturn and keep it in the minds of the choosy North American automobile consumer, General Motors figured that a brand revolution was necessary. It was recently initiated in the form of Saturns first minivan, the RELAY.

Unlike any Saturn previously made the RELAY uses a conventional steel body, and is a direct "clone" of all the other GM midsize vans. It wasnt the promising sign dealers hoped for, going against the brands image, but it was a sign from the top that things were indeed changing.

Soon, the next phase will be ushered in. Behind the shadowy curtains at General Motors, to be unveiled at this years North

American International Auto Show in Detroit, is an entirely new kind of Saturn. Alongside the two-seat Sky roadster, Saturn will pull the wraps off the Aura Concept, a European-inspired vehicle which GM claims is a sneak peek of things to come.

The Aura Concept is a four-door, midsize sedan based on the European Epsilon architecture which currently underpins the Chevrolet Malibu, Opel Vectra, Saab 9-3 and Pontiac G6. With two domestic-branded variants on that list, it would be logical to think that a truly Americanized version would be on its way for Saturn, but the opposite is true - the Auras link to Europe is strong.

In its design, the Aura is quite similar to Pontiacs bold G6. The cars share a long wheelbase which is an integral part of the cab-forward design, to maximize interior space. The similarities continue with short overhangs and an identical roofline integrating a four-panel sliding glass panoramic sunroof that melds into a high trunk.

Bold, almond-shaped projector-beam headlamps with jewel-like polycarbonate lenses, plus a ridged hood create a face unlike anything ever seen on a Saturn previously. An angular front valance with three deep intakes and fog lamps enhances the cars nose by adding sporty undertones. The high belt line of the Auras body traces back to the trunk lid, an ensemble completed by red and white LED tail lamps, lip spoiler and chrome-accented lid.

Undoubtedly, the Aura is one of the most beautiful Saturns ever. Its a dramatic departure from the stodgy styling of present and past Saturns, and will draw crowds to the GM display in Detroit, but the biggest shock might be to international enthusiasts, particularly Opel fans.

All of the details which define the Aura as a "new" Saturn have been plucked directly off Opels product lineup. Identical head and tail lamp designs can be found on models like the Astra compact hatchback, while the chrome detailing on the trunk lid is on all Opel products. Even the fenders and wheels are from the German car - they are trademark designs of its high-performance OPC brand.

Clay Dean, director of vehicle design, shed light on Saturns new styling direction, commenting, "Seven GM design studios from around the world used technology that allowed them to contribute to product designs that will

make up Saturns new portfolio. The result is seamless connectivity between the exterior and interior."

Inside, the Aura doesnt have any direct links to Opel, but it is still heavily influenced by European designs. The concepts interior oozes sophistication and class with its rich, chocolate brown Rustica leather sport seats, while the shift-knob, door-panels and steering wheel are finished in the same manner. The dashboard is unlike anything to ever leave a Saturn factory; its made from soft-touch plastic, accented tastefully with light titanium.

The Auras cockpit is simple, precise and uncomplicated, the way a sports sedan should be. The instrument panel features a layout consisting of three gauges, illuminated by a warm, yellow glow which also back-lights the climate and audio controls. A distracting dashboard-mounted LCD display, usually used for entertainment and navigation purposes, has been left out, leaving the driver to concentrate solely on the road ahead.

Passengers in the Aura are kept safe and sound through the latest in active and passive safety technologies. Aside from superb dynamics, the Concept sports StabiliTrak stability control, traction control and ABS brakes, as well as roof-mounted side-curtain airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and dual-stage front airbags. OnStar GPS tracking is also featured.

Along with its European-themed looks and construction, the Aura has a powerplant with a Euro background. Under the hood is a 250-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 engine which features variable valve timing and double overhead camshafts.

This motor is the top-of-the-line variant in GMs new modular range of V6 engines developed for luxury and performance vehicles by GM Europe. Its the same motor that can be found in Cadillacs CTS and STS V6-powered sedans, and is linked to a six-speed automatic with a driver-oriented manual tapshift mode.

The message that GM is sending with the Saturn Aura concept is clear but startling, and is one of the first constructive signs that the brand is charting a revolution through its new styling and models.

Opel may never be re-launched in North America, but judging from the current crop of Saturns about to be displayed in Detroit, there might not be a need to. Indeed, Rüsselsheims finest are much closer than we think - in the form of the Sky roadster and thinly-veiled Aura concept.