Nearly two years after the product revival of GM’s Saturn brand took root with the introduction of the Sky roadster, the flurry of activity will cap with the introduction of the 2008 Saturn Astra, marking the demise of the much-maligned Saturn Ion. A carbon copy of the Opel Astra with badges showing the sixth planet in place of a lightning bolt, the Saturn version will be offered in 3- and 5-door variants when it arrives in late 2007. GM’s 1.8-liter ECOTEC engine, producing 140 hp and 126 lb.-ft. of torque with either a standard 5-speed manual of 4-speed automatic transmission is the standard engine. Watch for the Astra Red Line on the horizon, although we didn’t hear that from anyone at GM.—KMK