Spied: Saturn Aura/Opel Insignia

Spy photographers have once again spotted a prototype for Saturn Aura/Opel Insignia. The vehicle spotted gives us a good glimpse of what’s to come for Saturn’s largest sedan and, for the first time, reveals what the production interior will look like. The prototype appears to draw lightly from Opel’s GTC concept, but it’s definitely evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. Obviously the head and tail lamps are fake on this prototype, but we can imagine what will be in their place without too much difficulty (GM has also released a teaser image showing the Insignia’s taillight).

The upcoming Aura/Insignia is based on GM’s fresh Epsilon 2 platform. We’re expecting similar powertrains to the current model – a couple of V6s and a hybrid – as well as front wheel drive. All-wheel drive is a rumored possibility. The prototype’s gauge cluster is highlighted by four chrome-ringed dials — two large and two small — with clean looking faces. Chrome also accents the center-mounted gear shifter, giving the interior an up-scale feel. For the first time, spy shots reveal what the center stack will look like on the road-going model. Although the quality doesn’t look quite up to production floor standards, the overall design can be inferred. Atop the center stack looks like a space that could house an LCD screen.
The Insignia will be released in late ‘08 as an ‘09 model in Europe, with U.S. sales of an Aura likely following a year later. More photos at Left Lane News.