autos sport

Despite the puny U.S. dollar which is flirting with the 144 mark against the euro (Mon. Oct. 29, 2007), Opel has announced that it will raise production of the American Astras (badged as Saturn) by 33 percent. According to German news agency dpa-AFX, Opel had initially planned to export 30,000 Saturn Astras in 2008, but now the German carmaker expects to dispatch 40,000 units from its Antwerp plant in Belgium which starts production of the 3door and 5door compact mdodel this week. The first batch of Saturn Astras will reach American shores in December with sales starting in early January 2008.

Via: Just Auto (sub. Req.)

With the Las Vegas SEMA Show just around the corner –doors open on Tuesday, October 30, carmakers are letting out all their goodies today. Saturn on its behalf revealed a lightly customized version of the Opel based Astra. The 3door Astra combines an engine upgade kit that lifts the 1.8L unit’s output to 160 Hp (+20 Hp) with suspension revisions and cosmetic enhancements. Among other things, the customized Astra is equipped with OPC (Opel’s sport department) accessories like the 19-inch wheels and rocker panels, Recaro bucket seats and tinted headlamps, tail-lamps and windows. -Images and details after the jump

Vehicle highlights:

• Astra XR three-door
• 1.8L Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder with approximately 160 horsepower, via exhaust header, cold-air intake and modified throttle body
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Lowered ride height
• New front and rear fascia extensions
• New grille surround finish
• Tinted headlamps, taillamps and windows
• Rear center-outlet exhaust
• Production side moldings deleted
• High-performance Recaro seats
• Unique interior trim
• Unique sill plates and parking brake handle

GM Accessories (production and concept)

• OPC 19-inch wheels (concept)
• OPC rockers (concept)
• OPC rear spoiler
• GMA pedals (part number 93183691)
• Blaupunkt sound system

Saturn is offering the chance to the public to take a closed course test-drive of the 2008 Astra compact hatch in Scottsdale, Arizona at Westworld on October 22. The Astra won’t arrive in U.S. showrooms until January 2008, so this is a good opportunity for any of you that live near Scottsdale to get a taste of the German compact hatch that’ll be offered as a three-door coupe or a five-door hatchback, both versions equipped with a 140Hp 1.8-liter engine (details here). Registrants must be 21 or over with a valid driver's license and they can bring one guest to share the experience with them. As you can understand, participation in this event is limited, so if you’re interested don’t be late in enrolling at: http://www.saturnevents.com/AstraForm.

Source: Saturn Scottsdale

GM’s heavyweight contender in the European mid-sized compact category, the Opel Astra will snuggle its way into the US market as a Saturn Astra in mid 2007. Of course we already knew that since May only now its official plus we also get a first picture of the 3door version –dubbed “GTC” in Europe.

According to GM, the Saturn Astra, which will make its premiere at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2007, will be nearly identical to the 2007 Opel Astra, unveiled this week at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy. It will be sold in the United States and Canada in three-door and five-door configurations.

"The Astra is a great fit for Saturn, with its European style and driving dynamics," said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn general manager. "The Astra enables Saturn to occupy a unique position in the marketplace and to strategically broaden its appeal with consumers who usually have import brands on their shopping lists"

Let’s just hope that they throw in a few cup-holders and create more space for bit’s & things in the Astra’s interior cause European style and driving dynamics mean nothing to your average American car-buyer if he can’t find a damn place to put his Starbuck's frappuccino…

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