On August 30^th, 2006, General Motors held a preview of its 2007 model vehicles at the Autobahn Country Club near Joliet Illinois for members of the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) . The event feqatured an overview of the new vehicles coming from Saturn, and GM's Chevrolet/GMC truck divisions.

It's no secret that GM has lost a LOT of market share in recent years to the Japanese and European auto makers. GM's "turnaround" plan includes reducing costs, increasing sales with various incentives, and bringing more new models to market that will hopefully win back import buyers. The Saturn brand will spearhead GM's turn around effort by doubling the numbe rof new models that will be introduced over the next 12 months.

2007 SATURN SKY RED LINE TURBO

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New for 2007 is a turbocharged version of the Sky called the Red Line model. In my opinion, this is one of the best-looking cars GM has produced in a LONG time, and it is a fun car to drive. A couple of hot laps around the Autobahn Country Club race course verified to me the car's performance potential. The engine's 260 horsepower give the car plenty of punch down the straightway and sticks to the corners like a cat chasing a mouse (though the rear end tends to feel a little loose when you push it really hard). Zero to 60 mph for the Red Line turbocharged Saturn Sky arrives in 5.5 seconds, and the quarter mile clicks by in 13.9 seconds. The good news is this sharp looking two-seater has a list price of only $28,895. The bad news it may be hard to find one. Saturn says it's 2007 Sky production is SOLD OUT -- which I assume means Saturn dealers have ordered all the Sky's that Saturn can produce.

2007 SATURN VUE GREEN LINE HYBRID
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Also new from Saturn is a "Green Line" hybrid version of its VUE Sport Utility Vehicle. The hybrid uses a special belt-driven start/stop alternator/starter attached to the side of the engine to boost fuel economy 15 to 20% over the standard VUE model. When you come to a stop and sit for more than about two seconds, the engine shuts off to save fuel. When you step on the accelerator pedal, the engine instantly starts back up. The process is amazingly quiet and smooth, and you have to look at the tach on the instrument panel to tell if the engine is running or not. There is no full electric mode, however, and the battery pack in the rear is only 36 volts. Fuel economy is rated at 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The alternator/starter also provides electric assist during acceleration for added zip over the standard model. The Green Line hybrid VUE qualifies for a federal $650 tax credit and has a list price under $23,000.

2007 SATURN AURA
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Also new from Saturn is the Aura Sedan, which is Saturn's answer to the Pontiac G6 (they share the same platform). The Aura is available with a 3.6L DOHC V6 and GM's new 6-speed Hydra-Matic 6T70 automatic transmission (GM's first), and will be offered in a hybrid version in the spring of 2007 asd a 2008 model.

2007 SATURN OUTLOOK SUV
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The 2007 Saturn Outlook is a new crossover SUV with 8-passenger seating and a 263 horsepower 3.6L V6 engine with variable valve timing. GM's new 6-speed Hydra-Matic 6T75 transmission is also available in this vehicle. The Outlook comes with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Access to the last row of seats is made easier by second row seats that slide forward and tip up (Saturn calls this their "Smart Slide" seating). You can actually get into the third row seats without having to be a contortionist or scrape your shins. I think the styling is very clean and contemporary, and teh interior is first class.

For more information on 2007 Saturn models, visit www. Saturn.com
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