Ch-Ch-Changes: 2008 Saturn Aura, Now with Four Cylinders

When General Motors debuted the Saturn Aura sedan last year with a base V-6 engine and a more powerful V-6 optional we were perplexed. If a company is going to sell a mid-size sedan to compete with the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, how could it not offer a lower priced four-cylinder option? GM explained its new Chevy Malibu would offer a full range, leaving Saturn with some exclusivity with a still-affordable V-6 lineup.

GM has changed course, however. For the 2008 model year the Aura will come with a four-cylinder engine in the XE-4 model. The XE-6 will also be made with the same standard 3.5-liter V6 it did last year. There is also a hybrid version of the Aura called the Green Line. That raises another question. The Saturn Green Line gets 24/32 mpg in city and highway driving while the EPA lists the new four-cylinder XE at 22/30. Will shoppers pay more for so little improvement at the pump? Prices and availability have not been announced but expect the new XE-4 to cost less than the 2007 XE which started at $20,345.

Comments

[Frankie]

Will GM ever learn???

[MSS]

They should have kept 4 cylinders out of the Aura (except Green line). I think the Green Line's sales will be hurt because of this.

Besides, isn't is just now competing with the Malibu too?

I agree w/ Frankie: Will GM ever learn?

But, I do have to say they are making some great products now. But need a better way to sale these!

[J]

Like I've said in the Malibu's post.
Such small difference in MPG will kill the hybrid sales. Since most of us know that hybrid's MPG figure will depend more on how the driver drives, so we might be seeing someone suing GM, because their hybrid is not getting a better figure than the conventional one.

On the other hand, I believe Saturn will have to pull those ads which are saying their standard engine has more hp than Camry and Accord.

Come on, GM, don't screw Saturn up again, when you just give it a CPR.

[Lil'Tom]

I think GM would gladly exchange their hybrid Aura sales for 4-cyl Aura sales. I suspect they'll change the Green Line to four cylinders anyway.

[Infosaur]

Hmmm could be the 4 pot will come with a scruffy base interior. While the Greenline will get the uplevel fittings.

It looks like the giant is tripping over his feet again! Saturn needs to get back to where they started from. I thought the whole premise of Saturn was for GM to learn how to do things better.

[Jordan]

No wonder GM isn't selling as well as Toyota...Who offers a hybrid model that gets only 2 mpg more than a standard 4 cylinger engine? Its very sad that a standard 4 cylinder camry gets 24/34 mpg which is higher than a hybrid Saturn. Good job GM!!!

[panic]

Using the 2008 fuel economy standards the Camry gets 21/31.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/24401.shtml

[jcampbell1@supernerdio.com]

Aggressive driving can affect MPG, that is for sure!

[jcampbell1@supernerdio.com]

Maybe they will offer both.