Not anything big, but just thought I'd share.

A guy in one of my classes dad works for GM and is one of the higher ups in the Saturn Aura. We were doing a project over at his house a few weeks ago and his dad came down to say hey and he decided to talk about the Aura a little and how the bean counters had nixed the middle exit exhaust that EVERYONE LIKED THE MOST. Yeah, hey, let's take the things that are one of the most popular styling points and just cut them right off the car. :rolleyes:
http://mutiny32.com/aura.jpg

This just pisses me off. They take oneof the syling components that creates excitement for a car and since it costs maybe $50 more, they ****can it. Great going, GM. This is just another example of what's wrong, in my opinion.

i'm sure theres alot they will be changing from the show car. you always have this concept that looks great and a production vehicle that is bored down. i was soooo suprised when lutz said the was keeping the sky basically the same. i don't know how the aura will turn out, but the stance and shape of this car
http://www.fast-autos.net/saturn/aura.jpg
is really good. it reminds me alot of an audi, which means alot considering saturns old image was this
http://pic.classifieds1000.com/1075430843-37443-24.247.207.244.jpg

I like the Aura pics. It looks like a Mazda and an Audi blended together. I would consider driving one, but would go with the Sky first.

I didnt think that the center exhaust would stay either. A nicely placed single side exhaust with a chrome tip would work fine for me. As long as the Aura stays 90% the same, I think its a hit. Keep engine and trans the same, change wheels, and some other minor details that were added for show (like the hood vents and green lit interior), and I think it would be a genuine hit. Also, the 2.4 VVt as standard 4cyl, and offer 6spd manual and auto in both 4 and 6 cyl models.

I am very worried about what might happen to this car now that Lutz isn't around to babysit the middle management. Let's just hope they don't hack this thing to peices.

I am very worried about what might happen to this car now that Lutz isn't around to babysit the middle management. Let's just hope they don't hack this thing to peices.
How is Lutz not around anymore? He IS head of global product development now not just NA.

A guy in one of my classes dad works for GM and is one of the higher ups in the Saturn Aura. We were doing a project over at his house a few weeks ago and his dad came down to say hey and he decided to talk about the Aura a little and how the bean counters had nixed the middle exit exhaust that EVERYONE LIKED THE MOST. Yeah, hey, let's take the things that are one of the most popular styling points and just cut them right off the car. :rolleyes:
http://mutiny32.com/aura.jpg

This just pisses me off. They take oneof the syling components that creates excitement for a car and since it costs maybe $50 more, they ****can it. Great going, GM. This is just another example of what's wrong, in my opinion.
Remember the Oldmobile OSV show cars of a couple years ago? Some of the hottest ideas in my opinion, came off those cars, such as the center mounted exhaust that blended in the bodywork. Sadly, these would have made the same splash as the Aura, but GM didn't have the guts to do it. Point being, don't expect all the features and ideas to stem to the production piece.

How is Lutz not around anymore? He IS head of global product development now not just NA.
Yes, but his global responsibilities might mean that he won't be able to babysit one North American product anylonger as he did for instance the Cobalt.

I didnt think that the center exhaust would stay either. A nicely placed single side exhaust with a chrome tip would work fine for me. As long as the Aura stays 90% the same, I think its a hit. Keep engine and trans the same, change wheels, and some other minor details that were added for show (like the hood vents and green lit interior), and I think it would be a genuine hit. Also, the 2.4 VVt as standard 4cyl, and offer 6spd manual and auto in both 4 and 6 cyl models.

The center exhaust was cool, but them dumping it isn't a biggy imo. Now, they better stay true to the showcars overall styling and powetrain on the other hand (like they did with sky and solstice).

maybe they plan to use it on an aura redline?

maybe they plan to use it on an aura redline?He made it sound like they just scrapped the entire piece alltogether because it was "too expensive."

Yes, but his global responsibilities might mean that he won't be able to babysit one North American product anylonger as he did for instance the Cobalt.

No no , now they will get his FULL attention . Before his responsiblities extented beyond product developement and thats when things got by him and had to back track . He said now he is in a MUCH better position to keep things on target design wise .