Saturn

Start thinking Saturn

Sadly, Saturn has been a misunderstood brand for quite some time, and people seem unwilling to give the company a chance. However, with their new 2007 lineup, featuring a couple of technologically advanced and innovative hybrids, Saturn hopes to change things up and get some attention.

Saturn racing

Saturn has long been a winning competitor in the world's leading racing events. ThunderSport Racing, home to the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) 2003 National Champion, is just one example of the many teams that feature Saturn as their race cars of choice. The SCCA is the world's largest car enthusiast organization, with over 65,000 members. It holds an assortment of automotive competitions from rallies and road racing, to auto crosses and solo events.

On September 19, 2003, the #16 Panasonic Saturn took the victory at the SCCA Valvoline Runoffs, leading all 20 laps. The Saturn beat out many other high-caliber competitors including Honda, BMW, Toyota, Mazda and Dodge. It seems that race teams shouldn't count Saturn out, because they have a few tricks up their sleeve.

New technologies

Saturn is coming out with a future car that reflects the latest trends in innovation and automotive technology. The Saturn Astra, available in a three-door and five-door model, is hoping to change the way we look at things. Astra Sport Compact is a sporty hatchback that packs a lot of power. With dual-exhaust and 140 hp, this sexy headturner introduces endless possibilities.

The Saturn VUE Greenline hybrid is another example of the innovative technology that Saturn has to offer. The VUE Greenline finds the perfect blend between fuel economy, technology and price. Reviews report that new owners found the hybrid to be surprisingly peppy, with a 2.4 liter, 170 hp, 164 lb-ft of torque, 4-cylinder VVT engine with four-speed automatic transmission.

Starting at $23,000, the Saturn VUE Greenline is the most affordable hybrid SUV on the market, promising to deliver a 20 percent improvement on gas mileage over the standard VUE. With a 16-gallon gas tank and a fuel economy estimated between 20-27 mpg/city and 28 - 32 mpg/hwy, the VUE is said to give excellent performance with less fill-ups.

Saturn's popular Aura is also now available in a hybrid. The 2007 Aura Sports Sedan was winner of North America's Car of the Year, and the new Greenline hybrid option is bound to boost its popularity. As with the VUE, the Aura Greenline is also the lowest-priced hybrid car on the market.

It used to be we could depend on the reputation and reliability of North American cars to meet our standards - but could it be the times are changing? Here in the U.S., overseas models are continuing to rise in popularity. Find out why!

If you love your car, you’ve got treat it right – stock will never do for your hot wheels! Whether it’s for performance or just for the look, aftermarket parts can turn that car you just brought home into your own pimp ride.