Saturn’s ever-tightening bond with Opel may be extended to include clean diesel engines, reports Ward’s Auto. “If we talk about being environmentally friendly, then we’ve got to be open to (diesels),” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. In recent months, GM has moved to align the Saturn and Opel product lines. An increased interest in diesels among U.S. consumers could prompt GM to bring diesel Opels over to North America as Saturns. The Opel Astra — which will be re-badged as a Saturn to replace the Ion early next year — is already offered with an optional diesel powerplant.
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08/14, 5:56 PM
posted by:
monts
Cool
08/14, 6:03 PM
posted by:
Leopold Porkstacker
I recently watched an older episode of Top Gear (from 2003 I believe) where they did a segment on the 75MPG diesel VW Lupo… 75MPG!!! Sure, it’s a small car, and has a 1.4litre diesel engine, but they also noted that the 1.4litre petrol version only observed 43MPG. If only the politics here in the states weren’t of the “head up ass” variety then perhaps we could see more practical (in terms of fuel efficiency) vehicles here soon. One can only hope. We shouldn’t have to wait until 2010 or later to realise that a 25MPG car is not fuel efficient.
-he who stacks pork
08/14, 6:08 PM
posted by:
Atomicbri
Good! I am glad GM is finally using some of their excellent European products to help out their AMerican line-up. It has taken them too long to do so. A great diesel will be another great option in the ever changing (for the better!) Saturn lineup
08/14, 6:32 PM
posted by:
Renton
Looks like Saturn will be used to place more Opel stuff in the US. I guess that’s good.
Give me a 120d, or a Jetta TDI over one of these anyday.
08/14, 6:41 PM
posted by:
justin
sounds like a good idea… plus i think the astra looks good anyways and the added efficiency would add the the cars appeal here in the good old U.S of A.
08/14, 6:49 PM
posted by:
Orally Gifted
GMs Euro product is still nowhere near as good as VW or Ford’s euro product
08/14, 7:03 PM
posted by:
fromes
this may be true orally gifted but fords north american offerings are nowhere near as good as GM’s euro product…thus the reason for bringing opel offer here as saturns.
08/14, 7:07 PM
posted by:
George
That’s nothing. I drive a 500 miles per gallon bicycle. Every 500 miles, I chug a gallon of gas.
But it’s actually Pepsi, but I call it gas.
08/14, 7:35 PM
posted by:
Leopold Porkstacker
I thought it was 50 miles to a can of beans… I guess it depends on how vigorous one’s cycling workout is.
-he who stacks pork
08/14, 7:41 PM
posted by:
T
Don’t forget – UK gallons are a little bigger than US gallons so these mpg figures are bigger than they would be in the US.
08/14, 7:46 PM
posted by:
Jay
Good. Diesles=good turbo diesles=better Audi R10 TDI race car=awesome winning streak with a DIESLE
so…
diesle=awesome!
08/14, 8:20 PM
posted by:
Henry
I own a 2001 Saturn L100 5 speed. I will need a new car by the time these diesels come to the US. Good timing.
08/14, 8:24 PM
posted by:
Trudy Keyhole
I am surprised you don’t need a new car already Henry
08/14, 8:36 PM
posted by:
Joel
honest question:
US car pollution laws, do they consider the efficacy of the engine (ie MPG – km/L to the ROTW)? and why aren’t SUV/4WD’s subject to the same laws? Is there any reasoning at all?
08/14, 9:08 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
Short answer to your question Joel is No.
Trucks and SUVs have their own polution and fuel efficiency regulations seperate from regular passenger cars.
08/14, 10:20 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Bob Lutz’ comments indicate he is not a proponent of diesel, so I doubt this would happen in the US market. A European diesel Saturn is obvious since it accurately reflects buying trends as well as the regulatory climate.
08/14, 10:57 PM
posted by:
VB
They’ll need more of the low-sulfur diesel fuel available at the gas stations before they can bring over the diesel versions. While refueling yesterday (Indiana), I noticed that the diesel fuel at the station could not be used in a new (2006/07) vehicle. Gotta admit though, this Opel looks a LOT BETTER than the current Saturn Ion. If they sell these new Saturns in Brazil, they’ll be running on pure ethanol from sugar cane.
08/15, 12:55 AM
posted by:
JaggedXJ
@ VB
Ethanol & Diesel are 2 completely different & incompaible fueling technologies.
To over simplify:
OLD tech > NEW “compatible” tech
Petrol gasoline > Ethanol
Petrol diesel > Biodiesel
Hope we all learned something…
08/15, 8:38 AM
posted by:
Joel
So when is the States (and my home nation of Australia for that matter) going to to level the regulatory playing field and impose the same excise (AUS) and emissions (USA) requirements on 4WD(AUS)/SUV(USA) vehicles as standard passenger vehicles? and for that matter consider the efficacy of engines at the same time?
08/15, 10:30 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Alright GM, that’s how you do it!
08/15, 11:20 AM
posted by:
DieselsAreTheAnswer
Another company waking up to the efficiency of diesel engines? We want and need more diesel choices in the US – NOW!
08/15, 3:36 PM
posted by:
Marshall
Bring in the Opels! They actually have styling that I can live with *and* high tech engines.
Enuf with the Sunfires, Cobalts and other embarrassing hardware. -mt
09/02, 10:19 AM
posted by:
Peter Kot
Visiting europe every year, I dreamed of OPEL designs in the US. I would buy the Opel Vectra as soon as it arrived in the US. It is a beautiful model.
12/01, 9:24 PM
posted by:
Gas Mileage of 2005 Saturn Relay AWD
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