At the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, GM's German subsidiary Opel unveiled the Antera GTC concept. It was a cool-looking two-door SUV with a sleek shape, and according to GM it would become the basis for the next-generation Saturn Vue. Our latest spy photos show just how close the 2008 Saturn Vue will get to the Opel concept. As expected, the prototype is a four-door instead of the GTC's sleeker two-door configuration. Although the windshield of the Saturn prototype isn't laid back quite as far as the concept, the A-pillars still have the same overall shape. The numerous vents and port holes used on the show vehicle are gone, too, along with the razor-thin side mirrors. A close look at the front end reveals a Saturn Vue with at least some of the details shown on the GTC concept. The grille looks roughly the same with two horizontal slats sitting just below a spot for the emblem in the center. Under the bumper is another air intake with a single horizontal slat similar to the grille above. The complex headlight cluster isn't quite as detailed as the LED units on the concept, but they are more upscale than anything you would find on the current Vue sport-utility. Judging by the size of the cars next to it in traffic, the 2008 Saturn Vue will be slightly smaller than the current model. This will not only put it closer in size to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4, it will make room for another SUV in the lineup, the 2007 Saturn Outlook. Although both vehicles are expected to make their debut at the New York auto show in April, the larger seven-passenger Outlook is expected to go on sale as early as this fall while the 2008 Vue may wait until early next year.
Looks like this will come to Europe to take on the 2007 Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, Land Rover Freelander etc